Pink splashed her cheeks. Brooke’s eyes crinkled around the edges as she smiled back. She continued past his pew. The wedding party arrived at their positions at the front of the church. Then the music changed to the traditional wedding march and those in the audience rose to their feet. Aubrey appeared at the back of the chapel doors and entered on her father’s arm. Slowly, she walked down the aisle then joined Ian at the front of the chapel. An officiant began his remarks, and the audience sat back down.
Logan didn’t remember a word from the ceremony. A few blissful times his eyes met Brooke’s as she stole a few glances in his direction. He never took his gaze off of her, because he’d never seen someone so beautiful in his entire life. The tide shifted between them, he could feel it. A glimmer of hope made him believe tonight, things could be different if he changed them.
By the time the ceremony ended, he itched to touch her, talk to her, hold her. When the ceremony ended, the chapel erupted into a busy chaotic herd of people trying to leave through the back doors at the same time. When he reached the exit, Brookehad already faded into the crowd. He didn’t have any choice but to wait for her to show up at dinner.
A dinner reception was set on the back lawn behind the church following the ceremony. When he found the tent set up on the wide grassy lawn with tables fanned out around the dance floor, Brooke still hadn’t appeared. Space heaters kept the area surprisingly warm. He forced himself to find his seat at the table with his name card next to hers.
Guests slowly slid into the empty seats of the table. He made quick introductions with those who sat, but his mind was elsewhere. Brooke ran rampant through his psyche making it impossible to concentrate on anything else. Then moments before they announced the arrival of the newlyweds, Brooke slipped into her seat.
Out of breath, she said, “Hey.” Her hair had loosened from the half up and half down hairstyle. She tucked some fallen strands behind her ears. “I’m glad you found the table okay. I’ve been busy having photos taken with the wedding party.”
Their eyes met. “I figured.” The dancing candle centerpiece lit up her gaze with fiery perfection. “You look beautiful.” He took a shaky breath then immediately sped forward, “I’m glad you reached out. I thought I was off your list after you ghosted me. I hope we can go back to being in each other’s lives.”
“I needed some space, but I think I’d like that too.” Her cheeks reddened. “Thanks for coming.” She darted her gaze away from him and peered at the others at the table.
His fingers twitched with anticipation of touching her. “I wouldn’t have missed it.”
“I know.” Her gaze turned flat. Her back straightened as she leaned back against her chair and glanced away. “A deal is a deal, right?” Brooke removed the napkin ring from the napkin on the plate in front of her. “But I backed out on the dinner with your parents, so I owe you.”
“No, you don’t.” Logan brushed her shoulder with the back of his thumb knuckle. “I wanted to come.”
“You wanted to pretend one more time?” Brooke set the napkin ring next to her plate then placed the napkin on her lap.
“No, that’s not it at all. We don’t have to play this game anymore.” Logan shifted closer to her. “Brooke—” He stroked her arm again with his finger as he tried to find the right words.
Then a voice over a loudspeaker interrupted him. Everyone clapped. Logan had no choice but to listen and clap along with everyone else. He hated how things hung in the balance. A quiet corner and a few minutes was what he needed to explain to her his true feelings. But tonight, this moment wasn’t it. Ian and Aubrey made their appearance and sat at the head table with their parents.
Logan removed his napkin ring and placed his napkin on his lap. The servers placed the first course in front of them, a bowl of creamy potato soup. Luckily, the others at the table fell into conversations with each other and didn’t find the need to open the table up to a group conversation. He ate his first bite of soup but tasted nothing.
“I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever, catch me up with what’s going on in your life,” Logan said.
The spoon in Brooke’s hand stilled, she shifted to face him. “Aren’t you,” she raised a skeptical eyebrow, “the one who said you have so much to tell me?”
“Ahh.” He forced himself to take another bite then wiped his face with his napkin. “I might have exaggerated how much I needed to tell you. Mainly, I wanted to say?—”
Then he was interrupted again by someone at the loudspeaker. The universe seemed to be on some kind of mission to keep him from saying what he came here to say. Justin, who apparently was the best man, made a few remarks about the happy couple.
“Aren’t you the maid of honor?” Logan whispered.
“No.” Brooke shook her head. “It’s Aubrey’s childhood friend which I’m completely relieved about, because it means I don’t have to make some speech. I’ve never been one for public speaking.”
Justin finished his rambling address which garnered a few laughs though Logan’s jaw only locked when he looked at him. The maid of honor followed and everyone clapped. Then the servers immediately served the main course of chicken and pesto pasta. They ate for a few minutes. It was much too loud with the music playing, and the setting wasn’t right for a deep conversation.
A woman stopped by the table as they finished their entrees, “Brooke?” They twisted in their seats toward her. “I thought that was you.”
“Cece,” Brooke exclaimed as she jumped out of her chair. They hugged. “I didn’t know you were coming. It’s good to see you. How is the hospital in New York working out?”
“I love it there.” Then Cece whispered to Brooke, “You need to introduce me to your friend.”
Brooke’s face splashed with heat, but she squeezed his shoulder. “This is umm?—”
He didn’t waste any time rising to his feet. “Hi, I’m Logan.” He shook hands with Cece. Then he wrapped a protective arm around Brooke’s waist. “I’m her boyfriend.”
“You don’t say.” Cece smirked while her eyes dilated a smidge. “Way to go Brooke, this guy is a total upgrade from loser face. Aubrey told me what happened, ouch.” She motioned with a thumb in the direction of Justin laughing a tad too drunkenly with a group of friends. “You’re way better off.”
“I know.” Brooke snuggled up to Logan and placed a hand on his chest. Then she lovingly gazed up at him and remarked, “Logan’s wonderful. I’m a lucky gal.”
Cece smiled. “Do you happen to have a brother?”
