Butterflies stirred in my stomach, their wings beating a frantic rhythm against my ribs. Was I scared, excited, or simply nervous?
The memory of our heated kiss pressed against me, yet I focused hard on placing one foot in front of the other.
Once at the altar, we took our designated sides, awaiting the bride and groom. Their parents sat in the front row, and I followed Caiden's gaze to where he was looking.
His mother.
I carefully observed his expression, which was a canvas of shifting emotions.
She caught his eye, and familiarity flickered across her face. A mother would always recognize her son.
I held my breath, praying Caiden wouldn’t break.
As the music shifted, a sweet violin began its melody, the notes like honey in the air.
Shane stood at the front, near Caiden, who patted his back in a gesture of camaraderie.
Now it was Sabrina’s turn. Sunlight glinted off the silver threads in her dress as she glided down the soft grass, her expression serene and almost ethereal.
“She looks like an angel,” I heard Shane mutter, his gaze filledwith awe.
My heart leapt as I stole a glance at Caiden; his gaze held an intensity that consumed my being.
Time seemed to stop as Sabrina reached the altar, her eyes locking with her groom's. The scene unfolding was a silent testament to the bond about to be solidified.
Then the ceremony began, a blur of vows and promises, tears and laughter, a love story unfolding before us.
My own anxieties melted away, replaced by a quiet joy as I witnessed their happiness. The lingering scent of lilies and the warmth of the sun created an atmosphere of peace, a fitting backdrop for their love.
But it ended all too soon.
The wedding reception was a haze of speeches, each one filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses.
Caiden and I were coincidentally sat next to each other.
I stole a glance at him. His dark hair was tousled, and his brown eyes were sharper than I remembered, reflecting the flickering light of the chandeliers above. He seemed more at ease, yet a storm brewed beneath his calm facade.
"Enjoying the festivities?" he asked, his voice low and intimate, just for me.
I nodded, though my heartbeat betrayed me. "Yeah, it’s beautiful. Everything is perfect." I cleared my throat, trying to mask the emotions swirling within. "You look nice and cleaned up."
His lips curved into a smirk, but the intensity in his gaze lingered. “You know, I never thought I’d see you in a dress like that,” he chuckled softly, his tone playful yet edged with something deeper.
I felt the heat creep up my neck. “Well, I didn’t think I’d be standing next to you at this wedding,” I shot back, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
His laughter was genuine, a warm sound that spread through me. "Yeah, you would have thought we’d never get along after everything."
There was a flicker of something in his eyes, a shared memory of our shared struggles, and suddenly, the distance between us felt both electrifying and suffocating.
As the night wore on, the music shifted to something more upbeat, drawing couples to the dance floor.
I watched as Sabrina and Shane twirled, lost in their world. The joy radiating from them was infectious, and I couldn’t help but smile.
But as I turned back to Caiden, my heart sank a little.
“Do you think they’ll be happy?” I asked, the question escaping my lips before I could think it through.
“Who knows?” he replied, his voice somber. “It’s hard to tell these days. Happiness is fleeting.”
