The toasts had begun. Simone first, elegant and heartfelt, followed by Braeden, who blended humor and sincerity with enviable ease. The crowd laughed in the right places, sighed in the tender ones.
Gaby couldn’t manage either.
Joy was everywhere, warm and infectious. And she wanted to leave.
Not because she wasn’t happy for Dev and Cari. She was—deeply. But standing here in all this golden celebration felt like pressing on a bruise she couldn’t hide anymore.
“Thinking about sneaking out?” Emily asked beside her.
Gaby didn’t deny it. “I’m just not in the mood to celebrate.”
“Of course. Natalie must consume your thoughts.” Emily followed her gaze toward Dev and Cari. “And days like this hit different when you’re in the middle of… whatever it is you and Rhys are in.”
“There is no ‘me and Rhys,’” Gaby said quickly. Too quickly.
“And I’m a circus acrobat,” Emily deadpanned. “Tell yourself whatever gets you through the day. Just maybe don’t stand too close to the drapes—there’s enough heat between you two to set them on fire.”
Gaby exhaled. “Em, please.”
“Fine.” Emily bumped her shoulder gently. “But take one piece of advice from someone who wasted eight years telling herself she didn’t need the man standing right in front of her.” She nodded toward Alec across the room. “Life is too damn short to pretend you don’t want what you want.”
Before Gaby could respond, one of the catering staff signaled Emily.
Her friend sighed. “Duty calls. But Gaby?”
She looked up.
Emily’s expression softened. “Don’t walk away from something unless you’re absolutely sure it isn’t yours.”
She squeezed her hand and headed off.
Gaby watched her go, throat tight. Their situations weren’t the same—Alec had always wanted Emily. Rhys… well. He’d made it clear he didn’t.
She was setting her untouched champagne on a nearby table when a warm baritone cut in beside her.
“I’ve heard it’s bad luck not to take at least a sip during the wedding toast.”
She turned to a tall man: dark hair, broad shoulders, a navy suit cut to ruthless perfection, and handsome as sin.
Gaby offered a small smile. “You’re Cari’s cousin. We haven’t officially met, but I’ve heard the stories.”
“Guilty as charged, but the appeal is pending.”
She blinked, startled.
He flashed a sheepish grin. “Sorry. Bad joke outside the family.” He offered his hand. “Carlo Mancuso.”
She took it and felt instantly enveloped in warmth and strength. “Gaby Flores. Did you really chase Cari cross-country for three years?”
“It’s true, sadly, which doesn’t speak well of my fugitive recovery skills, but in my defense, Dev never caught up with her either.”
“You’re a bounty hunter, then?”
“For Devlin and Associates, which makes us colleagues.”
“Why have we never met?”
“I’m on the road a lot and work mainly out of the Jacksonville office. Same team, same cause, just different doors to kick in.”
