“You’re helping by letting me do my job. By trusting me.” I pull back, swipe at my eyes. “Now go. Your guests are waiting. And your day is perfect. Let’s keep it that way.”
She hesitates, then nods. “Okay. But, Chloe, if you change your mind, if you need help, you come find me. I don’t care if I’m in the middle of my first dance. You’re more important than any of this.”
She walks away before I can respond, and I’m left standing there, trying not to cry and ruin my makeup.
The ballroom is perfect. Months of planning came together—white and gold everything, centerpieces with winter flowers, pops of Valentine’s red, subtle but sweet, candles, and elegant drapery creating a canopy overhead. The sweetheart table is centered on the massive windows, the ceremony arch now set up to frame the table behind them, the cake on display, the dance floor open and waiting.
Guests are filing in for dinner. And I’m seated at table three, beside Brody.
Table three includes Conrad Kingston and a woman I recognize from photos I’ve seen online—Penny Pepper, the true-crime podcaster. She’s pretty. Dark hair, brown eyes, and the way Conrad’s hand rests on her back suggests they’re definitely together.
“Nice to finally meet you, Chloe,” Penny says, shaking my hand with genuine warmth. “I’ve heard so much about you…well, about you and Brody. From what I hear, you’ve really brought out a different side of him.”
I try my best to chuckle. Ignore the churning in my stomach.
The other guests at our table—more of Derek’s hockey friends and their dates—are chatting cheerfully, oblivious to the tension.
Dinner is served. Some kind of chicken with roasted vegetables, all the standard wedding food, and I spend the duration of the meal pushing it around on my plate. Brody does the same.
Neither of us is eating.
Neither of us is talking.
Under the table, his knee brushes mine. I don’t move away.
“You two all right?” Conrad asks quietly. He’s watching us with the kind of attention that suggests he knows something’s wrong.
“Fine,” Brody says.
“Great,” I add.
It’s not our best lie. I guess we’re both a little off our game. Conrad exchanges a glance with Penny.
She leans forward slightly. “I’m sorry about that article in Minnesota Bridal.”
My fork clatters against my plate. “You saw that?”
“Everyone saw it,” she says gently. “But for what it’s worth, I believe you guys. Give it some time. In a few days, everyone will forget all about that article.”
I can’t respond. Can’t process the kindness in her voice when I know what’s coming in less than two hours.
The toasts begin while dessert is being served. The maid of honor goes first with a funny, loving speech about Maya and their friendship and all the adventures they’ve had. Followed by the best man—one of Derek’s hockey teammates—who makes jokes about Derek’s terrible cooking and worse fashion sense before getting sincere about what a loyal friend and good man he is.
And finally, our dad. His voice is raw as he gets up to speak. He tells stories about Maya as a little girl and how proud he is of the woman she’s become. And then he turns to Derek, charges him with being the kind of man that Maya deserves. Derek stands, taking his hand in a heartwarming exchange.
Then the DJ announces: “Now, as you know, our groom tonight is a member of the Blue Ox”—a chorus of whoops and cheers rattles the floors—“and Derek wanted to give a special opportunity to share this moment with his team. So he’s asked that we open the mic up for a few words from some of the people he’s spent blood, sweat, and years with.”
Wait, what? I didn’t okay this. It’s just asking for creepy Uncle Austin to take over the mic, drunk, and make really cringy speeches. Nope.
But before I can intervene, Conrad stands. Walks to the microphone with easy confidence.
“I’ve known Derek for a few years now,” he says, “and I can tell you right now, he wasn’t always the man he is today. When Derek met Maya, we all saw something in him change. She brings out the best in him.” His gaze flickers to our table for a heartbeat, landing on Brody and me before continuing. “That’s something I’ve learned in my own life, that love can be terrifying and wild, but when it’s real, true love, it brings out the best in you.” He lifts his glass. “To Derek and Maya.”
The room applauds. But I catch the look Conrad gives Brody.
Brody’s jaw tightens.
Another teammate goes up—Torch, I think—keeps it brief and funny. He tells the story of Derek’s first away game after meeting Maya, how the bus broke down on the way home and Derek almost pulled a Planes, Trains and Automobiles to get back to their first date. Everyone chuckles. He lifts a glass, and then says, “To the kind of love you fight for.”
