Page 205 of The Friends and Rivals Collection

I stroll across one of the bridges in Central Park, on my way to the wedding at the boathouse.

When I reach the steps heading to the ceremony, I spot a familiar silhouette in the crowd of guests milling about in front of the doors.

A blond woman, wearing a sky-blue dress, is chatting with a couple.

When she finishes her conversation, I call Evie’s name.

She whirls around and waves when she sees me.

“Fancy meeting you here,” I say as I reach her. Her date and some of our mutual friends are chatting a few feet away.

“And you. What a surprise,” she teases as she throws her arms around me. I bend lower and give her a bear hug.

“How many weddings a year is it for you now?”

“This would be my tenth in the last twelve months,” she says with a note of pride.

“And of those, how many are because of you?”

“Five,” she says, beaming.

We high-five each other. “You are the Queen of Love. And when will yours be?” I ask, my gaze drifting pointedly to her date, a brainiac Internet genius who makes her so damn happy it’s crazy. Dylan’s talking with his sister.

Evie blushes and lowers her voice cautiously. “I’m not sure, but I have a feeling he’s been ring shopping.”

“Dylan’s no idiot. He knows a damn good thing when he sees it.”

Evie steps closer and adjusts my purple tie, knotting it tighter. “I swear, it’s like men never know how to tie these. You spend so much time in shorts. And what about you?”

“What about me? Do I know how to tie a tie? I believe I do,” I say with a smirk.

She gently swats me. “I mean, what about you and Mia?”

I let a smile cross my lips. Evie’s bright blue eyes—the same shade as mine—twinkle with excitement. The last time she asked me about Mia, nothing had happened between us. And while I’m not one to kiss and tell, I do want my sister’s advice.

I cup her elbow and gently guide her away from the other guests. “Listen, I need to ask something, Ev. Have you ever known a couple in a long-distance relationship where it worked?”

She beams. “Yes. Silly. Is that why you’ve held back with Mia?”

I shrug. “Kind of.”

“And now?” Her voice is laced with excitement.

“Well, I know she’s into me. I’m not sure if it’s to the same degree, but I guess I’m tired of pretending I’m not completely?—”

“Besotted with her?”

I point a finger at her in acknowledgement. “Guilty as charged.”

She claps her hands and bounces on her toes.

“I knew it. I knew it all along. And no, I don’t think it’s crazy to pursue something with someone who lives far away.

Yes, I think it’s absolutely harder. I won’t kid you about that.

But it happens. It’s real. Sometimes you fall in love with someone who lives halfway around the world. ” My sister’s eyes turn dreamy.

“Mia isn’t halfway around the globe,” I point out.

Evie arches an eyebrow. “But the other part?”

“What part? The falling part?”

“Falling in—” She stops, her voice going softer. “The most important question is this—how would you feel if you never took the chance to let her know you wanted a relationship, damn the miles between you?”

“How would I feel . . .” I repeat, musing on the words.

An usher dings a bell, and that ends the conversation.

It’s time to head inside the boathouse and take our seats.

A sign reads, “This is an unplugged ceremony. Please turn off your cell phones and be present with us.” I do as instructed, then grab a white wooden chair in the second row next to Dylan and Evie.

A wall of glass windows provides a stunning view of the water.

The groomsmen enter from the side, followed by the best man—that’s Max—and Chase, the man of the hour. They stand by the glass at the front.

A professional photographer is poised at the entryway, ready to do his job. A string quartet picks up their bows and plays something that sounds like Beethoven. All eyes turn to the doors. A bridesmaid I don’t know comes in first. She might be Lily. The name sounds familiar.

When the first bridesmaid is ten feet down the aisle, Mia enters.

My sister’s words ring in my ears.

How would you feel if you never took the chance?

They repeat in my head as I stare. I can’t take my eyes off her.

She wears a yellow dress and clutches a bouquet of daisies. Her hair is twisted up, but several caramel-blond strands fall softly around her face. As she walks down the aisle, my heart battles to break out of my chest and run to her.

Those dimples I adore.

Those eyes I want to look into.

Those lips I want to kiss.

As she nears the front, her gaze locks firmly with mine, and I swear I can see her mouth form the barest word. A hi just for me.

A few more bridesmaids enter and join the wedding party at the front, but I lose track of who’s who and who’s here because I can’t stop looking at Mia, even when the bride enters to “Ode to Joy.”

I try to focus on the ceremony, on the words the officiant says to Chase and an absolutely radiant Josie, who’s as beautiful as any bride.

He pledges to love her for the rest of his life, and she vows to do the same, and soon platinum bands encircle their fingers, and the groom kisses the bride as claps and cheers erupt throughout the boathouse.

How would I feel?

Like I’d missed the greatest chance of my life.

Mia’s the one, no matter how far or how close she is, and I’ll tell her as soon as I get her in my arms.