by Rachel Magee
But apparently it didn’t matter what Paige’s brain thought was the best way to avoid an awkward conversation she felt sure she shouldn’t be a part of. Her mouth did what it wanted.
“And when you officially started dating that initial connection didn’t seem to be there anymore?”
Sasha exhaled, as if she’d been waiting to share this with someone. “No. At least not like it was in Europe. So when he asked if I wanted to come this weekend, I agreed, thinking maybe a trip to the beach would help us find our spark.”
“A beach wedding is a great place to rekindle a romance.” She should know. It had been her plan, too.
“That’s what I thought. But honestly, I didn’t factor in being here with you.”
Had Sasha caught on to her plan? It was naive to think that she wouldn’t. Getting one’s old boyfriend back was a lot easier when you didn’t know the other woman.
Not sure what to do, she decided to play dumb. “Me?” Perhaps it was a cowardly move, but she did need Sasha to fix Georgia’s hair. She was a despicable human being. Georgia better have the most amazing wedding pictures ever.
Sasha finally put down the curling iron and started twisting her hair up, securing it with bobby pins.
“It’s one thing being compared to the memory of you. But side by side in person? It’s been hard to measure up.”
Was she joking? This knockout beauty with the perfect figure and graceful movements was nervous about being compared to Paige?
“Hard to measure up to me?”
Paige had no idea what was being done to her hair. It felt like there were pins all over her head, but she didn’t dare move. This conversation had her frozen in place.
“You’re smart and funny and kind. Everyone loves being around you.” She paused and stuck what felt like fifteen more pins in Paige’s hair. “It’s hard to compete with all that.”
Paige was stunned. After all the things that she had done to look ridiculous, Sasha was jealous of her?
“Hold this over your face, I’m going to spray your hair.”
Sasha handed her a small towel, which Paige held over her face. Never had she been so thankful for hairspray in her whole life. Hiding behind the cloth gave her the perfect excuse to not say anything, which worked out since she couldn’t think of anything to say.
Sasha sprayed, stopped to fiddle with a few pieces of Paige’s hair, then sprayed again. She took the towel back and laid it on the side table, stepping in front of Paige to examine her. Paige sat absolutely still.
She fixed a few stray pieces of hair before she stepped back, a proud smile lighting up her face.
“All done. You look great, if I do say so myself.” She gave Paige a handheld mirror.
Paige took a deep breath before she looked into the mirror. She barely recognized the reflection that stared back to her. Somehow, the way her hair was piled on her head with curls falling down changed the shape of her face.
“You know, if you used a brown eyeliner, it would really make your eyes pop. I think I have some in my bag if you want to try it.”
Paige seemed to have entered some sort of alternate reality. One where Sasha was jealous of her. And they were friends.
“You’re very talented.” Paige tried to angle the mirror so she could see the back of her hair, amazed at what a few bobby pins and a curling iron could do.
“You have great hair. Since it’s so straight, it’s fun to work with.” Sasha busied herself with tidying the supplies on the console table. “Plus, I’ve been in a lot of low-budget productions, so I’ve had a lot of practice.”
Paige wanted to say something else, but the front door swung open and her three friends walked in.
“Oh, wow! Paige, you look gorgeous!”
“I love your hair!”
“You know it’s not polite to overshadow the bride.”
And just like that, Sasha shrunk to the background and Paige was swept into the center of the mix.
Sasha had given up her entire afternoon to do them a favor. She was the one that got them out of a jam. And even though she didn’t have to, she gave up her time to make Paige look beautiful, when Paige had spent all weekend trying to outshine Sasha.
Who was the talented, kind one now?
Chapter Fourteen
For the first time he could remember, Aiden showed up to a wedding early. He liked to think that it was because he was trying to be responsible. According to the famous lecture his mom gave any time he was late, being on time was an important way to show people they mattered. Maybe promptness hadn’t been his strong suit in the past, but it was about time to turn over a new leaf.
Some might argue that he’d headed to the beach to avoid talking numbers and strategy with Jacob or trying to be friends with people he didn’t care for just to make more money. While that wasn’t a completely false accusation, he liked to think it wasn’t entirely true either.
He walked down the long flight of wooden steps to the beach, listening to the soothing sound of the waves and the laughter of the members of the wedding party who had already started to gather. The real reason he was early, the one he preferred not to think about, was that he felt lost.
Rows of white chairs proudly waiting for guests sat in neat lines on either side of an aisle outlined by white rose petals. An arbor with flowers woven through it stood at the front waiting for the bride and groom to exchange vows and proclaim their love. A wide space at the front stood vacant just waiting for the attendants to stand and bear witness to their friends’ happiness. And he stood there wondering where he fit in the mix.
This wasn’t a feeling he was used to. He had always considered himself to be somewhat of a chameleon. Adapting to his circumstances was his thing. He was known for rolling with the punches. But he was starting to think that always being ready for the next best thing wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.
Sure, it was fun. His life was full of adventure and excitement. He moved from one great thing to the next, like a giant game of musical chairs. The result was a ton of memories and a contact list in his phone full of friends, but was that enough? Part of him wondered if he would be the one without a chair when the music ran out.
He strolled across the powdery sand to where the wedding was set up. Where to sit was example number one of his new hypothesis. The whole reason he was at the wedding was to seal the big business deal. He should sit with the investors, but he didn’t belong with them. Honestly, he only mattered to them as long as he was making them money. He didn’t want that to be his place. He didn’t want to become one of the self-centered sharks whose primary concern was the bottom line. Was that the path he was on?
Later tonight, his name would be on a place card at the head table because he was one of the bridesmaid’s dates. That in itself made him important, but not because of who he was. It was because of who she was. And since it was a fake relationship, he wasn’t even sure he belonged there.
Noise from the top of the stairs diverted his attention. The three bridesmaids stood on the top step. The photographer was a few steps down, taking pictures of them.
Before this weekend, Aiden had never considered Paige to be anything other than his little sister’s best friend. She’d been hanging around their house since Ciera first brought her home from college when they were freshmen. She’d become a regular at most family holidays and rarely did he ever see Ciera without her. But she was always just the friendly girl who didn’t have her own family.
Lately, something had changed.
She stood between his sister and Hadley, talking and laughing. They all wore long dresses in the same blush color, but each of them was a different style. Aiden didn’t know the official name of the type of dress Paige had on, but it was stunning. It was sleeveless, with the neckline going down in a slight V. The floor-length skirt flowed around her, making her appear as if she were floa
ting. Between the afternoon sun bathing her in light and the way her joy lit her from within, she glowed. His breath caught in his chest.
The girls made their way down the steps to where Lane was standing with his groomsmen at the bottom. Aiden couldn’t help it any longer. He had to walk over to her. Paige caught sight of him and waved. She finished telling Lane something, and when he started up the steps, she came over to meet Aiden.
“Look at you being early for a change. I knew you had it in you.” She had a playful twinkle in her eye and he wanted to have some sort of witty banter to toss back at her. But the truth was, she’d rendered him speechless.
He shrugged, well aware of the goofy grin spread across his face. “I’m trying out something new.”
She reached up and tightened his loosened tie, smoothing it down against the front of his shirt. She did this often, at almost every tie-worthy event they attended together. In fact, he’d stopped bothering to do it himself with the anticipation that she would make it look perfectly straight as soon as she saw him. But this time her touch reached him in places he’d never anticipated.
Before she finished with the tie, he wrapped his hand around hers and held it against his chest. She stared at their hands for a second before she looked into his eyes.
“You look amazing.” His words had a breathless quality to them that seemed appropriate, since he was breathless. He watched the compliment register on her face, and he wished he could have found the words to express exactly how amazing she looked. It was as if he were looking at an angel, and it was impossible for him to look away.
“Thank you.” Her fingertips wrapped around his hand and the gesture sent electricity racing through his body. And he knew.
He’d had plenty of friends get married, stood next to many of them at their weddings. Every time he asked them why they decided to do it. Was the timing right? Did it seem like a logical next step? Was there some sort of relationship ultimatum? Every one of them had the same answer: When you meet the right one, you just know.
Aiden always nodded and played along, never really believing them. It sounded as mythical as Santa Claus. But here he was, standing on the beach, staring into the eyes of a woman he was in a fake relationship with, and he knew.
The realization blew through him like a strong ocean breeze, leaving exhilaration in its wake. He had to resist the urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her.
He let go of her hand and rocked back on his heels, sliding his hands into his pockets. “What are you up to now? Being the wedding expert you are, I thought you could help me find the perfect seat.” His confidence had returned, because when he was in her presence, he didn’t feel lost. He felt vibrant and alive, like there was nothing he couldn’t accomplish.
“The bride and groom are having ten minutes alone so the intimate moment of him seeing her for the first time could be shared between just the two of them instead of in front of a crowd.” She nodded her head up at the Grand Cabana where they had their business lunch. The top of Lane and Georgia’s heads just peeked out over the top. “So I have a few minutes.”
He wanted more than a few minutes. When he looked at her, he saw forever, and for the first time in his life that didn’t terrify him. In fact, it did the opposite. It breathed life into places that had felt cold and empty for a long time.
She snagged her bottom lip with her teeth and took a step back to examine him. “Humm. Let’s see.” She had the playful twinkle in her eye that he loved. The one that he‘d admired the very first time they met. “You’re here as a guest of the groom, so that puts you on the right side. You’re too good to sit with the freeloaders who are here for the free food and drinks, but you aren’t quite family. So I’d say…” She paused, her gaze returning to his. Love swirled in his chest.
Then something happened. Her playful expression fell away, like she’d noticed something for the first time. She drew in a shallow breath, her gaze burning into his. He took a small step toward her. Was she feeling the same thing he was? Had whatever ignited in him ignited in her too?
He wanted to slide his hand behind her head, like he did last night, and finish the kiss they didn’t get to start. He wanted to breathe in her intoxicating scent. He wanted her in a way he’d never wanted anything before in his entire life.
But before he could do any of that, she closed her eyes and shook her head slightly. When she opened them, the look was gone and her playful grin had returned.
“I’d say you’re a third row inside aisle kind of guy.”
Aiden looked at the seat in question, welcoming the excuse to look at something other than her. He needed to get his thoughts under control before he did something stupid. Like drop to his knee and propose right there.
“Can’t argue with an expert.” Plus, if she was standing next to the bride, it would give him a clear view of her.
“Paige, they want to get a few more pictures of the attendants.” His sister’s voice broke his trance.
Paige shrugged. “Duty calls.”
Unable to keep his lips off her any longer, he slid his hand behind her back and brushed a kiss across her cheek. “I’ll see you after the wedding.”
She looked dazed for a split second, then she flashed a coy grin before turning to where the rest of the wedding party waited.
He watched her glide across the sand, cherishing the feeling of exhilaration that made him want to fly. But there was also a sinking feeling starting to seep in. Love was a two-person game, and Aiden wasn’t sure she wanted to play with him.
Paige had witnessed a lot of weddings, but this was the first time she’d watched one of her best friends get married and it was more beautiful than anything she’d seen before. Normally, she got swept away in the romance, but this wedding took it to a whole different level. Georgia was getting the happily ever after she’d always wanted, and it made Paige’s heart swell with happiness.
After the couple was pronounced husband and wife, the guests made their way up the stairs to the community’s clubhouse, where cocktail hour and the reception would take place. The wedding party hung out on the beach where they could take more pictures. Since the actual wedding was over and most of the pictures had been taken, there was less pressure this time to keep Georgia’s dress from getting dirty from the sand and surf. Between the freedom of not caring about her dress and the elation of already being married to the love of her life, Georgia glowed.
Paige stood back on the sand and watched the photographer take pictures of the happy couple standing where the waves just washed into the shore. The setting was perfect. The sun hung low in a clear blue sky, casting a golden glow over everyone. The ocean was clear and gentle waves rolled onto the powder white sand. And as if the setting wasn’t perfect enough, the entire mood of everyone involved was joyful. Her wedding coordinator brain marveled at how it was the perfect recipe to capture awe-worthy pictures. Her best friend brain cherished the privilege getting to witness this display of true happiness.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lane this exuberant.” Brody stepped up beside her.
“They’re perfect together.” She watched as Lane whispered something in Georgia’s ear. The expression on Georgia’s face was priceless. A picture of true love. The photographer clicked away.
Brody nodded. “That they are.”
They stood there, side by side, in silence, watching the scene for a moment. Paige was lost in the happiness of it all.
“I’ve missed you,” Brody said, breaking the silence.
It took Paige a second to register that he was talking to her, and then another second to understand what he said.
“Missed me?” Her words came out more hostile than she’d intended, but she was shocked. Missed her? He left her behind when he moved to a new country, hadn’t talked to her since, and then showed up with a new girlfriend. What part of that said he’d missed her?
&nbs
p; Brody didn’t seem fazed by her tone. He just stood there, looking as confident as always. “I miss when we were happy.” He thrust his chin in the direction of the happy couple. “Like that.”
Paige, still dumbfounded, turned her head to look at Georgia and Lane. She stared at them, almost gaping, trying to make sense of what Brody was saying to her.
In all of the couples she’d watched exchange vows, this had to be one of the most in-love couples she’d ever seen. Yes, there had been a time when she and Brody were happy, but had they ever looked like that?
“You’re with Sasha now.” She whispered the words, as if to remind herself as much as to remind him. It didn’t matter if they had been perfect or not if there wasn’t any possibility for it to happen in the future.
“Yes.” He shoved his hands into his pockets and stared at the sand. “But what if I wasn’t?”
They were the words Paige had hoped he would say since she first saw him walk into Aiden’s cousin’s wedding. This conversation, right here, was the one that had inspired her to wear the shoes that almost broke her ankle last weekend. She wasn’t sure how she was expecting to feel when she heard them, but she was pretty sure it should have been more than just…confused.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“I’m not sure it’s going to work out. She came along this weekend to see if there was anything there. But the only thing this weekend reminded me was that I no longer had you.”
This is the part where butterflies flying at mach speed should have stormed her body. But she didn’t feel even one single flutter.
“We can’t be having this conversation. Not while you’re still in a relationship with someone else.”
Surely that was it. She just needed to know that she had all of him, no strings attached. No messy baggage to stand in the way of true happiness.
