Then, all of a sudden, she appeared like an apparition of his mind, dressed in shimmering gold and catching the light like a diamond.Her dress was stunning, covered in flowers blooming over her curves and daring his gaze to drift down the deep neckline.
His heart hammered in his chest and the room emptied around him.All he could see was her.There was a perfect clearing between them, as though he were looking at her preparing to walk down the aisle.
The thought of it forced a lump into his throat.
A smile graced her beautiful face, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him.And since he wasn’t a groom standing and waiting for his bride, he could go to her, which he did – happily.
“Annie,” he said when he reached her, the intoxicating scent of her rose perfume throwing him momentarily.“I’ve been looking for you.”
“Ah, you didn’t recognize me.”She shook her head, looking down at herself.“I know.I feel like an imposter.”
Miles scowled.“You’re not an imposter.You look stunning.”He wanted to add that she always looked stunning, but instead, he held his breath, waiting to see if his words had any effect on her.
But she just laughed her easy laugh.“You’re looking very dapper in your station-issued tuxedo.”
He tipped his head.“Thank you.I feel a bit like James Bond, especially after helping to kick Alex out.”He cleared his throat.“That’s my co-worker Cassandra’s ex-boyfriend.He’s made a nuisance of himself.”
“Sorry about him,” a woman’s voice said.
He raised his eyebrows.The woman next to Annie was speaking.He hadn’t noticed her until now.
“This is Lauren,” Annie said, noticing his surprise.“Our kids go to daycare together.”
“Unfortunately, Alex is my brother.”Lauren stuck out her hand, a bright smile on her face.“It’s so nice to meet you.I’ve heard so much about you.”
He cast a glance at Annie, but she said nothing.Had she really been talking about him?Or had it been Alex?
“I’m sorry about my brother.He’s never been quite the same since falling off that cliffside.”She let out a loud laugh.
Miles looked at Annie, narrowing his eyes, and she lifted a dainty shoulder in a shrug, as if to say, “I don’t know if she’s kidding.”
“Maybe Roy needs to take a tumble off of a mountainside,” Miles said, chancing a smile.“Might knock some sense into him.”
Annie covered her mouth with her hand, laughing.“Is that a threat?”
“Not unless you want it to be.”He paused, pretending to think.“Though I don’t think I need to threaten him now.The judge did a good job of that.”
Lauren turned to her.“You never told me about that!”
Interesting.Miles knew more about Annie’s life than this friend.Was it possible that Annie trusted him more?Liked him more?
“I’ve been busy,” Annie said, shaking her head.“It went pretty well.”
“I’m so glad to hear it.”
Miles wasn’t going to cede the floor to the lesser friend.He caught Annie’s gaze.“I’m sorry I was late.Bella had a hair emergency.”
Annie groaned.“Oh no!What happened?”
He shrugged.“A bad updo, I guess.Your mom went through several different braids before finding one that Bella would accept.”
“Poor Bella.”Annie scanned the crowd.“I don’t see her, but I’m glad my mom could help.She’s always been a wizard with hair.”
“Yeah, I remember you saying that.”
He couldn’t stop staring at her.She was mesmerizing.
Her gaze fell back on him, catching his stare.
