Page 4

TANNER

I watch as the bridesmaids walk down the aisle one by one. My eyes search for Marlie. Fuck, that woman got under my skin with the barest of touches and not a lot of conversation.

“Stop fidgeting,” I tell Ridge. He’s fixed his cuff sleeves, rocked back on his heels, then put his hands in his pockets.

“Just you wait. One day, I’ll be telling you the same thing.” Up until a bit ago, I probably would have thought there’s no fucking way, but after meeting Marlie, something is churning deep in my gut. After the ceremony, I think I’ll see if she’s feeling the same damn thing.

“Whatever,” I murmur under my breath because my eyes and body lock tight when Marlie makes her way down the aisle in the same deep purple that I’m wearing on my suit only it looks a million times better wrapped around her body.

Soft curls hang loosely down past her shoulders, a few strands wrapping around her breasts.

It’s the small smile, the softness in her eyes, and the way she carries herself that have me gulping back a breath.

That has never happened to me in all my years, through failed dates, broken relationships, and just doing me since then.

Not that any of my relationships were memorable in the least. The longest one lasted a few years.

We were both content with the way things were until we weren’t.

I couldn’t see myself settling down and marrying her; she couldn’t either.

So, we parted ways amicably, thank goodness.

I think that’s what I was worried about the most, how things would end and the potential animosity.

That’s why I haven’t really looked or wanted to look.

Hell, I haven’t dated in a few years since that relationship.

I just wanted to be single, live my life a bit, and work on expanding the company, which I’ve done successfully.

“I see and know that look all too well. Like I said, you can thank me later,” Ridge interrupts my thoughts of emerald-green eyes, full lips, and high cheekbones, giving way to pure fucking elegance with how Marlie carries herself, her lush curves and hourglass figure that has me wanting to grip her hips in my hands and never let go.

“Fuck off,” I whisper my return, eyes never leaving Marlie and noticing the blush blossom from the tops of her breasts that are being cinched together by her dress, watching it move up towards her neck and into her cheeks.

“I told you so. If you weren’t so stubborn and Marlie weren’t so busy hustling her heart out, this could have happened a while ago, is all I’m saying.

” If we weren’t at his wedding and Marlie weren’t taking her place to wait for Taylor, I’d tell him exactly what I’m thinking.

That won’t be happening right now, not with Marlie standing in my view and the wedding march beginning. The moment needs to be placed on him.

“Shut up and watch your future wife,” is all I say.

His gaze locks on Taylor, while mine glances at her for a moment before I watch Marlie across the way.

Her pretty eyes meet mine for a second before returning to Taylor.

She’s trying to hold the tears at bay, but it’s not happening.

I get it. Taylor and Marlie have been best friends since college, well over ten years.

Whereas my friendship with Ridge has only been a few years.

At first, he was just my financial advisor.

It took us a few years, but we found our way outside of his stodgy office and are now thick as thieves when my schedule allows it.

“Luckiest man in the world, that’s what I am.” I can hear the emotion clogging his throat. The preacher clears his voice in a way that tells us all to hush. The ceremony goes on, and Taylor’s dad places her hand in Ridge’s, lifting the veil as she passes her bouquet to Marlie.

“Take care of my baby girl. Love you, Taylor Marie.” I listen as her dad tells Ridge his feelings.

They have a moment, the four of them—Ridge, Taylor, her father, and the preacher.

Even with the eyes of the church, which is at max capacity, I’m shocked there aren’t people standing at the end of the pews with everyone they have packed in here.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today,” the preacher gets back into his role of officiating the wedding.

I listen with one ear, waiting for the time when I hand Ridge their rings.

Other than that, the only thing that has my concentration is the pretty woman across the aisle, the one who has no problem glancing back at me between the times she’s wiping at the corner of her eyes.

In my own little world, thinking about all the things a man shouldn’t be while standing in a church in front of two hundred people, I hear the preacher say, “You may now kiss the bride.” That’s when my eyes return to Taylor and Ridge as I clap along with the crowd.

“I saw that look, you know.” I place Marlie’s arm in the crook of mine after Taylor and Ridge walk down the aisle towards the back of the church.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I’m trying to make it appear that I’m none the wiser.

“Sure, we can go with that.” I look down at her and see the smile she has plastered on her face. My own appears, and that’s when the snap of the camera happens. We don’t really know each other, though that doesn’t seem to be stopping either one of us from connecting in the weirdest fucking way.