“Lies, you let him fuck you in?—”
“We’re at a wedding,” Hailee snaps, cutting Calvin off. He scowls at her.
“Right? What do you think the bride and groom are going to spend all night doing?” he deadpans, earning himself another glare.
“Any news on Monroe’s flight?” Kodie asks, glancing at the empty seat beside him.
I pull my cell from my purse as Calvin and Cole tug theirs from their pockets. My heart sinks when I find nothing. “Nope.”
He was meant to get in yesterday. Parker had him down for making at least twenty favor bags. He missed his flight and couldn’t get another out until today. But he should be here already.
I spin around and look toward the back of the room, searching for him. But there’s nothing—just the wedding planner running around like her ass is on fire, barking instructions into her headset.
“He’ll be here,” Calvin says confidently, tucking his cell away again.
I open my conversation with Hayden and find that my most recent message to him has been read. Does that mean he’s landed?
A heavy sigh falls from my lips.
“Everything okay?” Hailee whispers.
“Yeah,” I lie, closing down my cell so she can’t read anything she shouldn’t.
Over the past few weeks, Hayden has started opening up about what’s been going on with him. And honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t make it today. I’d hardly blame him if he avoids it. Being around so much hope and happiness after everything he’s just been through will be incredibly hard.
All I want to do is pull him into my arms and hold him. But I can only do that if he shows up.
Hailee studies me, not believing me, but also aware that I’m not going to say anything else. When Hayden is ready for everyone to know, then he’ll tell them. Everett knows, of course, but as per Hayden’s wishes, I haven’t said a word to anyone else.
I glance back again, but still no sign of him. There are others gathering, though: two incredibly beautiful bridesmaids and Alison, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. At least I won’t be the only one sobbing through the ceremony.
A few seconds later, after taking a moment to compose herself, Alison makes her way down the aisle, heading straight for Linc.
Concern floods his features as if she’s about to deliver some bad news, but the second Linc is in reaching distance, she throws her arms around him, holding him tightly as her shoulders shake.
My nose itches as tears burn my eyes.
“Bea,” Calvin hisses from Hailee’s other side, forcing my eyes to him. “Rett said to make sure you were well stocked,” he says, holding out a packet of tissues for me.
A laugh spills from my lips as my eyes find my man. He smiles knowingly at me.
‘Thank you,’ I mouth, holding up the tissues.
When I packed my small clutch, he looked at me like I’d lost my mind, because he knew I’d need more than the few tissues I’d packed. Apparently, he ensured there was a backup plan.
“Do you need more?” Cole offers, holding up another packet.
Laughter bubbles out of me.
“I have some too,” Kodie supplies.
“And me,” Freya adds, “But I’m gonna need some of mine,” she confesses.
No sooner has Alison taken her seat than the music changes.
Everyone turns around to see Sutton make her way down the aisle, proudly wearing her Vipers-green dress. Her smile is infectious, and everyone beams right back at her.
“That’s my girl,” Kodie says, his voice cracked with pride as she passes.
