Desmond and I kissed. They started from the first day I met him. Our first exchange that was fueled with attraction and something new, only to be shattered by a harsh reality.
“It looks like seats are filling up,” Zach says, his gaze traveling to the ceremony area. “I’m going to go find a spot in the back.”
I perk up. “I’ll go with you.”
Zach nods and holds out his arm for me to take.
“Wait, Maggie. Can I borrow you for a second?” Desmond asks.
My heart takes off, beating fast at the sound of my name on Desmond’s tongue. I squeeze my lids together and turn to face him. Everything from the past week is suddenly swirling around in my chest and in my head, to the point that I feel like a volcano is about to erupt, and I have no chance of stopping it.
“I’m not a toy,” I snap. “No, you can’t borrow me.” There’s so much fury in my tone, even Zach takes notice with a lift of his brows.
“No worries,” Zach says, taking a step away. “I’ll save you a spot, Mags.” Then his eyes float to Desmond in a questioning look before he walks off.
I bite the inside of my lip as my eyes travel back to Desmond’s. He’s glaring at me intensely. “I was just going to tell you that you look beautiful tonight and that any man who gets to dance with you will be a lucky bastard.” He gives a defensive lift of his hands and takes a step back toward the reception area. “But I probably should have saved my breath. Enjoy the ceremony.”
I feel like a complete asshole as I watch Desmond walk away. Then I see an orange leaf, still attached to a thin branch, clinging to Desmond’s shoulder blade.
Desmond was definitely in the woods earlier.
And he was watching me.
28
The Dance
Desmond
The food is hot and currently ready to be devoured by the 121 guests that arrived, one more than expected since Zach ended up showing. I wonder if Maggie would have come here today if Zach had agreed to be Monica’s date from the beginning. And if she hadn’t come, would I seriously be contemplating taking Chloe and Gavin up on their offer to partake in the festivities once the majority of my catering duties are complete?
The wedding party starts to trickle in as music plays. The bridesmaids and groomsmen walk in pairs from the small white tents set up behind the reception area to the ceremony, where the guests are waiting. Monica, who is walking down the aisle with Gavin’s friend Justin, lights up like a Christmas tree when she spots Zach sitting in the back row.
I’ve never known Zach to fall so hard for a woman. That always made my desire to remain single forever an easy goal to uphold. Now I’m certain that a proposal to Monica is in the very near future, and then what? I can’t be the single bachelor forever, not when my best friend is hitched to the girl of his dreams. Suddenly, staying single forever doesn’t sound as appealing as it once did.
I groan at my own thoughts, which are clearly the nature of attending events like this one. Romance is in the air, thanks to the bride and groom, who are making their entrance to the tune of “Stand By You” by Rachel Platten. Bright smiles light up their entire beings as they squeeze the other’s hand and wave at the hooting and hollering guests.
Chloe and Gavin’s love is one their friends clearly root hard for, and today is sure to be one hell of a celebration. That’s exactly what ensues.
Guests start to line up for their food. An adorable little girl with long red hair and freckles on both cheeks starts to bust a move on the dance floor. The bride and groom greet guests who stand in a line to offer their sentiments. And the bar becomes more and more crowded as the night goes on.
When it comes time for the first dance, all the chaos and excitement morph into a beautiful silence that follows the newly married couple out onto the empty dance floor. A spotlight hits them, and the music starts. The song, according to the wedding program, is “Never Stop” by Safety Suit.
Gavin leads Chloe in small steps around the floor, twirling her every now and then before bringing her back into his arms and planting a sweet kiss on her lips. All eyes in the reception