CHAPTER SIXTEEN

ATLAS

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I tug on my black suit jacket and glance at Knox. He looks nervous, which isn't something I'm used to seeing.

But he's looking dapper in the Verity & Co. wedding suit I designed. The lapels have a silk finish, and his cufflinks are vintage Chanel.

I can't wait for him to see Payton's dress.

He won't be disappointed.

Hundreds of guests have descended on the Hamptons to attend their wedding, and the place is now packed as we all wait for the bride.

A white marquee has been erected in Jacob's enormous backyard that has been transformed into something out of a romantic fairytale.

Strands of fairy lights and greenery hang strategically across the ceiling and down the walls. White and green lanterns fill the space, and I'd put money on them lighting up when the sun goes down too.

Guests were asked to wear bright colors and they have. The wedding party is in black and white but around us pops of pink, orange, blue, green, and yellow fill the marquee.

Everyone is sitting in their seats, and we are moments away from the bride arriving as a trio of violinists play.

The bride...and the bridesmaid.

Who I haven't seen all day.

Molly was gone when I stepped out of the shower. I figured she had bridesmaid duties to do and freaked at the same time I woke her up. I was disappointed to not get a kiss goodbye after our night together.

I put my heart on the line a little.

I only want you.

She also didn't reply to my text. Fucking hell, when did I become a needy lover?

I need to focus. Any moment my big brother will watch the love of his life walk down the aisle and I feel like I'm just as eager to see Molly.

Which I think means something.

Something good and I want to tell her. I can't wait to tell her and see her eyes light up.

I want to be the man who makes her smile—and scream—every damn day.

I feel giddy.

God, today has been fantastic from the moment I woke up. A beautiful woman beside me, Knox getting married and being able to taunt him into terror before we stepped out here—what are brothers for after all—and then Harlow messaging to say she had good news.

When I called her back, she said Donald had shared that the Verity & Co. entry was the most popular, and that there was a very good chance we would take the award home on Monday.

Well technically WIN, as it was only the announcement not the award ceremony tomorrow.

"Fuck, Harlow. Really?"

"Yup. I'm happy for you, darling."

The use of the affectionate term grated on my nerves, but I was so grateful she'd told me, so I let it go.

"We should celebrate. When you get home," she said.

"For sure," I replied non-committedly.

No. I wanted to share this with Molly.

Harlow knows it's over and if I have to tell her one more time my eyes are going to roll out of my head.

Which is why I didn't want to tell Molly about her. Harlow and I are over. We are friends. Nothing more.

I can't explain every woman I've dated and I won't. We all have pasts.

What Molly needs to hear is that I want her. And only her. So I told her.

I only want you.

Whoever mentioned Harlow to Molly is going to get an earful from me after the wedding.

Spending just a few days with Molly isn't enough to know her completely but I know I don't want anyone else. I know I want to take her on dates, fly her to Paris, help her with her business, share all of me with her.

Molly is someone I could see myself falling in love with. Maybe marrying one day.

If she will open up.

And I think she did last night.

I try to hold back my smile but if I do win tomorrow, I'm going to be celebrating with her and my family.

If I don't....

I feel like she'd be someone I could be vulnerable with and share what it meant to me. Without judgment.

I am over making myself wrong for wanting this award.

Being acknowledged by the industry and my father is the next step on my career journey. There's nothing wrong with that.

He and Knox focus on numbers and we celebrate that. Why not design recognition?

It's more than just drawing pretty dresses. I have to understand what our customers want, make sure the designs are at the leading edge of the market, on trend and wearable, and able to be priced at the top end.

Design teams rarely get credit.

It's not just me that will receive this award—it will be the entire team and Verity & Co. as a brand.

We all win.

"What are they doing? Sewing the damn dress?" Knox mutters, tugging at his cuffs.

"I did that already." I laugh. Technically our dressmakers did it.

"Relax. She'll be here." Levi shoots me a wink.

Seeing our big brother wound up is bittersweet. He's always been in control and had a confidence that most men don't.

I can't imagine the anxiety he's feeling right now. But because I'm the middle brother and the opportunity has arisen, I face him and ask, "You think she's changed her mind?"

Knox snaps his head in my direction. "Fuck off Atlas. Payton loves me. She will be down when she is ready."

I grin. "Then chill out."

I'm not the best motivational speaker.

Suddenly the music changes and he straightens, letting his shoulders drop.

"Told you," he mutters and rubs his hands together.

"Sure." I snicker.

The entrance of the marquee opens and the three of us stare, waiting for the bride to appear.

Or bridesmaid in my case.

Everyone stands and the wedding march begins to play as Bella and Molly step through the gap.

God.

My chest puffs up with pride at how beautiful Molly looks. Her dark locks are up in an elegant twist, and the black strapless dress I sketched with her in mind looks fucking stunning. Her smile is huge as she makes her way toward us, while holding the large white rose bouquets.

Bella is behind her and winks at me.

But Molly doesn't even look at me.

I frown.

As she steps into place, I drag my eyes to my right across the space and wait for her to connect.

Then wait some more.

That's when I notice her smile is painted on. Her chin is too stiff, and she's angled away from me on purpose.

Fuck.

What the hell is wrong?

I stare harder as if that would make her glance at me. It doesn't.

When the crowd gasps and everyone turns as Payton appears in the doorway, my eyes remain on Molly.

I watch tears pool in her eyes.

Molly look at me.

My chest is thumping, trying to work out what the fuck happened between me making love to her and now.

Nothing.

Fucking nothing.

Finally I glance away because I've been staring too long and see Payton take the final few steps. Her father hands her over to Knox.

I force myself into the moment.

My new sister-in-law looks like the penultimate bride in her Verity & Co. dress. Of course I've seen it and I've seen it on her.

The full skirted ivory princess dress swings from her slim frame, and the crystals sparkle delicately.

She shoots me a smile full of joy and I nod in acknowledgment.

She loves it.

"Fuck you're beautiful," Knox says and we all chuckle.

The celebrant clears his voice.

Payton blinks back tears as she smiles up at him lovingly. The bridesmaids rearrange her veil and dress and then the vow exchange begins.

I take in the moment, proud of my brother, and shoot Dad a smile. I know we all wish Mom was here with us.

She's watching from above, I'm sure of it.

I've never been a religious man, but there's something about moments like these that seem to make you feel closer to the intangible.

My eyes drift back to Molly, and I find her watching me. I start for a moment, hoping to see her smile but I'm shocked to see anger.

The hell?

Then, underneath I see hurt as she turns her attention to the happy couple.

"I now pronounce you man and wife."

Molly, what the hell?

"Now I can kiss my bride," Knox says, tugging Payton up against him and kissing the hell out of her.

A few rows back Daniel lets out a huge laugh, while Harper says something about well that's familiar.

Everyone is laughing when Knox finally releases his bride and they both raise their hands and the crowd cheers.

Levi and I clap and move in behind them as they make their way down the aisle.

Here's my chance.

Bella and Levi match up, leaving me walking with Molly.

She ignores me.

My mood shifts from worried to downright mad.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I whisper-growl when we reach the end of the marquee.

Molly glares at me. "Nothing. I'm here for my best friend. Doing my job. Go find some other girl to flirt with."

Is she kidding right now?

"Flirt with?" I tug her off into the corner when we reach the end. "Flirt with? I think we're way past flirting."

She shakes off my arm. "Yeah well, as you said the first time, we shouldn't have done that. "

My brows drop in complete confusion.

Then I shake my head.

"Let me catch up for a minute. Last night I made love to you. I wake up with you in my arms, jump in the shower, and then..."

She stares at me blankly.

"Molly. Fill in the gaps." I growl then glance up and smile at one of my uncles. Her eyes are on the ground when I look back. "What—"

"Molly! Photos." Bella calls out.

Before I can stop her, she turns and disappears.

Motherfucker.