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“I think I saw the photographer out front. You ready for your pictures? Need me to do a touch up?”

He had dropped my hair and was concentrating on the bride.

She scooped up part of her train and walked to the door. “I’ll go find everyone.” I saw her take a deep breath as she crossed the threshold into crazy.

As soon as Sasha left, Anthony seemed to be able to focus on my hair again. “All right, honey, are we putting this up?”

I nodded. “I was thinking a chignon.”

“Love it!”

He started humming and working on my hair. In twenty minutes, I had a picture-perfect hairstyle.

“You like it?” He held up a mirror so I could see it from all angles.

“Yes, it’s great. Thank you, Anthony.”

“No problem. I’ll send Lulu in to do your makeup. See you at the wedding.” He sashayed out of the room and in walked Lulu.

She was quick and efficient, not as interested in chitchat as Anthony had been. I told her I wanted a natural look, not a complete glamour makeover. With the hair and the dress, I thought I should downplay everything else.

I emerged into the living room feeling like a different girl.

“Kaitlyn, come on, come on. Pictures.” Tara and Mindy waved me over to the fireplace.

I scurried to pose with the other girls. We took pictures in the house, out of the house, along the stairs, with our flowers, without the flowers, with Sasha individually, and bridesmaids alone. By the end of the photo shoot, I was afraid I wouldn’t have any smile left for the ceremony. There was no time to reset my grin. Sasha’s father ushered us into a stretch limo, and we were on our way to the church.

26

Kaitlyn

I knew I wasn’t the one who was supposed to be nervous. I wasn’t getting married. However, as I stood at the back of the church, holding my bouquet of orchids and lilies, I couldn’t keep my stomach from churning and my palms from sweating. I smiled at Sasha as the door opened and I glided down the aisle, just like we rehearsed.

The guests pivoted in their seats. I heard murmurs and whispers. I tried to keep my eyes straight ahead at the altar. If I could make it to the altar without tripping or wiping out, I could survive the rest of the ceremony. Keep walking. Keep walking. I smiled at Cal and the groomsmen lined up at the front of the church. Cal looked nervous, but I had a feeling that would melt away the second he saw Sasha. I focused on my next step, exhaling as I moved forward.

Then I saw him.

At first, I smiled lightly as if he was any of the guests seated in the pews, but then my eyes met his. His look cut right through me. In that second, he held me with his stare, keeping me from falling, yet making me tumble through clouds and rain, breathless and shaking. The piano music rose, and I took another step closer. Drawn to the way he looked at me with complete abandon, as if right then he would stand up and tell everyone in the church that he was in love with me. That I was pregnant with his baby. That we were a family.

The waves were crashing over me one at a time, but this time, I could breathe. I could breathe because he had me. Then, my steps took me past him and I had to stand on my spot at the altar. I think I knew then that when I looked in Cole’s eyes, I saw everything.

I had never been happier to drink a glass of sparkling cider in my life. Sasha and Cal were married. The ceremony was beautiful. Cal stumbled over one line of his vows, but it brought a little comic relief to the church.

I let the cool bubbles slide down my throat, knowing the entire time Cole hadn’t taken his eyes off me.

“Want another?” he offered.

“No, I just needed that one. This has been the longest day.” I tipped forward on my toes, ready to plant a sugary kiss on his lips.

“Oh my God, Kaitlyn.” Mary Ellen wrapped her arms around my shoulders and pried me away from Cole.

“Hey.” I hugged her. “How was your flight? Did you make it to the church?” I had been too focused on Cole to see anyone else in the audience.

“Yes, we were there.” As soon as she said we, Aiden walked from around the corner, holding two freshly poured glass of champagne.

“Here you go, babe.” He handed her one. “Hi, Kaitlyn. Cole.”

I felt the tension immediately swath us like a prickly burlap bag. I was instantly uncomfortably.