I roll my eyes at his dramatics, and just to be a dick, I pick up my pace, knowing his competitiveness won’t let him lag.
“Mason called the other day and asked if he could bring Maddie Grace as his date.”
Nate stops dead in his tracks. “What did you say?” he spits.
“I said I didn’t think bringing his sister was a good idea. That I didn’t want any drama between you and her.” When he clenches his jaw and looks like he’s about to burst, I hold up my hand to stop him. “This is not about you, Nate. I know you’re dying to see Madeline. But today needs to be drama-free. I can’t have anything go wrong. Jules deserves the perfect day.”
He blows out a breath. “Yeah. Fine. Why the fuck did you even tell me?”
“Because if Mason mentioned it, I didn’t want you to blow up at him after a few drinks.”
“I want to throw up.” He points to the exit. “I’m leaving.”
“You know I’m right,” I call out when he runs in the opposite direction of me.
I’m about to head home myself. We have a long day ahead of us, but instead, I make a quick detour, running around the reservoir, up and over the bridge, into Gilder Run Path, where Camila’s memorial stone lies, and then freeze.
Slowly backing up.
Jules is here, sitting on the bench by herself. I can’t hear her, but I can tell she’s talking to Camila. Her smile is broad, but she wipes her eyes a few times. I have no doubt she’s crying. My girl is sensitive and isn’t afraid to show her emotions.
When a man in all black circles the corner and sits next to her, my legs move without thought to reach her. But when her face lights up, and she throws her arms around him, I stop, confused, while anger burns deep in the pit of my stomach.
What. The. Fuck.
I’m about to lose my shit when he pulls off his hood, and a very familiar face appears.
Leo.
He says something that makes Jules’s face drop, and when he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pink envelope for her, I know why.
The overwhelming feeling grips my heart like a vise. I drop my chin to my chest and breathe in through my nose, then turn back and go home. Every inch of me wants to demand that she show me the letter, but even I know that’s wrong, and for once, I need to use restraint when it comes to her.
This is a private moment between her and Camila.
Juliette
“Leo.” I throw my arms around him. “How did you know I was here?”
He motions his head to the left, and I frown until I realize he means my bodyguard. “He must be good at his job because I almost always forget he’s here.”
“He better,” Leo mumbles. “Harrison is paying them enough.”
He removes his hood and blows air into his hands to warm up, even though it’s pretty mild for a December day. We’ve been so lucky with the weather so far.
“This morning, I was planning on coming to your mom’s, but when I heard you were here, I knew I had to give you this now. There is no better place to read it than here.”
He unzips the pocket in his jacket, and I suck in a deep breath and lean away when I see the pink sticking out.
“Leo,” I whisper.
He handed me the pink envelope addressed to soon-to-beMrs. Davenport. “I was under strict instructions to give this to you on the morning of your wedding day and no later. She didn’t want to be the cause of tears that ruined your makeup.”
I’m speechless.
Leo kisses my forehead. “See you later,bride.” He winks and leaves me to read it by myself.
There’s no hesitation; I rip it open to find beautiful cursive and read it immediately.
