Page 140 of Girl Between

“No. It was at home,” he said carefully.

Dana’s eyes widened. “Nevada?”

He nodded. Before she could ask him why he’d been there and if everything was okay, he turned abruptly to face her. His blue eyes drank her in with an intensity that sent her questions scattering. Jake brushed an errant strand of hair from her cheek and cupped her jaw. His pained gaze dropped to her lips. Letting his thumb gently brush her lower lip, he spoke. “There’s something I need to tell you. Lots of things, actually.”

“Okay,” she managed.

“Can you do something for me?”

“What?”

“Can you give me tonight? Just one night to be us? Then tomorrow we’ll talk.”

Afraid her words would betray her, Dana managed a nod. Without warning, Jake stepped forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead, his entire body seeming to relax as she leaned into his touch. For a moment they stood there, breathing each other in. Jake’s lips pressed to her skin, his hands warm and possessive on her neck. Then, like someone flipped off the electricity, Jake let go. He stepped back, his face rigid and devoid of emotion again.

Completely off balance, Dana had no choice but to let him help lead her to the waiting black Escalade.

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Cadie George walkeddown the aisle wearing a tasteful white linen dress and the brightest smile Dana had ever seen. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Marjorie placed her youngest daughter’s hand into Neville’s.

The seasoned officer unabashedly shed tears of joy as he gazed into his bride’s glowing face. They looked so happy, it made Dana’s heart ache.

Will I ever have that?

Will I ever want that?

She chased the selfish thoughts away. Today wasn’t about her.

Paper fans fluttered in the hands of the spellbound guests as Dana listened to Cadie and Neville promise to love and cherish each other above all others as their family and friends looked on.

Dana was humbled she’d been invited to witness such a truly intimate event, let alone take part in it. After the traditional vows and rings were exchanged, the couple jumped the broom and Marjorie performed the drawing of veves,paying homage to their heritage and ancestors.

Smiling, Dana’s eyes teared at the perfect symmetry of it all. George had been right to make her attend. The only way to surviveall the darkness in the world was to cling to as much light as possible. And today was possibly the brightest day Dana had ever experienced.

Even the unseasonably humid weather had given in to the joyous occasion, sending soft currents of breeze through the open church windows to soothe the packed pews.

As the ceremony came to a close, Dana touched the symbol Marjorie had drawn on her and the rest of the wedding party prior to the ceremony. The faint white cross on her chest was meant to invoke lwa spirits and their protection.

Dana’s eyes found Jake again. Her gaze landed on him each time she glanced out at the crowd from her place at the altar. He was unavoidable—beckoning her gaze like a flame. The penetrating way he stared at her was unnerving. Heat crept up her neck, warming her cheeks so intensely she had to avert her eyes.

Applause from the crowd drew Dana back to the moment. She clapped around her bouquet of orange tiger lilies as Neville kissed his new bride. They seemed to float down the aisle, immersed in each other as guests showered them with flower petals.

A moment later, George was by Dana’s side, ready to walk her down the aisle once more. His steadiness was a comfort to Dana as she took his arm and joined the rest of the wedding party who were already gathering behind the second line meant to escort them the few blocks to the reception in Marjorie’s backyard.

A parasol was thrust into Dana’s hand as the cheerful brass notes kicked off the parade. She couldn’t help but smile as she let George rock her to the raucous rhythm.

She glanced back only once to see if Jake had joined in the revelry, but the sun bobbed low in the sky, a fiery orange balloon blotting out everything in its path.

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Jake’s jawmuscles ached as he focused on the breathing technique he used to force his anger back into the steel trap where it belonged. But each time he pictured Dana walking down the aisle on the arm of another man, he had to start the process all over.

Never before had he considered causing unprovoked harm on another, let alone a friend. Though Jake wasn’t sure he could consider Vincent George a friend. The man was pushing his luck. Jake had wanted to pound the shit eating grin off his face more than once today as he watched George smugly escort Dana around the church and now the street.

He trailed the wedding parade as they danced their way to the reception, his eyes never losing Dana in the crowd. She’d asked him here.

… this is me officially asking. I need you …