6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Zach

A hush comes over the congregation as I enter the wedding venue at the town's golf course. People watch and whisper as I walk by. I nod my head as I search for a seat and get one at the end of an aisle. I want Claire to spot me, but more importantly, I want to see her.

Weddings have never been something I enjoy attending, but ever since last night, it's the only place I want to be right now.

Since she's a bridesmaid, I couldn't pick her up. She had to be with the bride all morning, and I hated not being able to escort her here, but I'm excited to see her.

"Are you a friend of the bride or groom?" An older lady asks next to me. She's eyeing me, trying to pinpoint if I'm suitable for somebody in her life.

This isn't my ego talking, just experience. Every older lady I speak with wants to play matchmaker.

"Oh neither. Well, I guess the bride. My girlfriend is her cousin and is a bridesmaid."

The woman's eyes open wide. "Really? Who?"

"Claire Adams."

"Little Claire? Really? Oh, that's so exciting. I'm her Great Aunt Jean, oh we've been so worried about her ever since Alan…well, never mind you're aware of all that. We were worried about her having to be here alone, but oh, she just got the ultimate catch. Mr. Zach Whitmore himself. The town's savior."

I keep my politician's smile on my face even though my mind roams a million miles a minute. What did Alan do to Claire? I'm assuming he's her ex and, well, I wonder how he hurt her. It also doesn't surprise me that the lady knows who I am. I hoped she didn't, but it's rare not to run into people who don't know who I am here in New Hope.

"Oh, wait until everybody here catches wind of you and our little Claire. She's special, that girl. Heart of gold. You're lucky to have her." The woman points at me with a stern gaze and glares at me as if I would contradict her.

I never would because I completely agree. "You're correct. I don't know how I snagged myself such a beauty, but I'm thankful and don't plan on letting her go." And that's the truth. I can't fathom the idea of this fake situationship not becoming something more. Hopefully, she feels the same way I do.

The music begins, the room grows quiet of chatter as the groom and groomsmen take their places. The doors open and the wedding party begins to descend, but I only keep my eyes peeled for Claire. When she stands in the doorway, my breath catches as I can't believe how radiant she is. She's in a satin lilac dress framing her curves to perfection, and my mouth waters while my cock hardens against the seam of my pants.

Last night I jerked off twice to the vision of Claire wishing I had her in my arms.

Her eyes scan the crowd, and I hope she's trying to find me. Our gazes lock, her body eases, and she gives me a big smile. I wink at her as she walks past.

My eyes never stray from her, but when she gets to the end of the aisle, the groom smiles widely. However, one of the groomsmen glares at her and when Claire turns around facing the crowd, her beautiful smile is gone.

She looks toward me and I mouth how beautiful she looks. Her smile reappears with a blush.

I glare at the man who took her smile away while he gapes at me.

Claire

As soon as the wedding ends, I can't find Zach fast enough. I forget for a moment this isn't real, but today has been stressful. My family keeps giving me pitying looks and wondering if I'll ever get over my heartbreak.

I didn't have the courage to bring up Zach, because a part of me thought he might not show. It's stupid, but Alan used to pull crap like it all the time, so I didn't want to tell people my date today is Zach Whitmore because then they would think I'm delusional.

Spotting him as I walk down the aisle has other visions playing in my mind as I picture myself walking on air, and he's at the end of the aisle waiting for me.

Ridiculous, but what's a harmless fantasy?

Of course, Alan had to ruin it as he sneered and rolled his eyes at me. Our interaction from the morning plays in my head.

"Claire? You couldn't have lost a little weight for the wedding. You're in a form fitting dress, you could've at least done that for your cousin. Shit, Mandy knows how to stay fit." The mention of his girlfriend, the woman he cheated on me with, has me grinding my teeth.

From the very beginning, I've tried to avoid him, but he wants to keep throwing his happy new life in my face. The worst part is he came around when I was alone. I don't want to ruin my cousin's big day, so I keep my mouth shut, and he knows this.

With Zach here and attentive, it's a major boost, and he doesn't leave me alone.

It doesn't stop me from catching Alan's flabbergasted stares every time he looks over at us. I try not to appear smug, but it's amazing the man he idolizes more than anybody is here with me.

"Oh, honey, why didn't you tell us you were seeing anybody?" My mom gushes after meeting Zach. The age issue is not a problem with her or my dad as they both seemed to be relieved I have somebody.

"I'm sorry mom, we've kept it a secret to see if it was going to go anywhere, and well…"

"I insisted on accompanying my sweetheart here. Isn't she the most beautiful woman?" Zach wraps me in his arms, and I sigh as he kisses my temple again. Why is the temple kiss the sexiest thing in the world suddenly?

My mom awes while Aunt Jean latches onto Zach and introduces him to everybody as little Claire's boyfriend as if she's the one who got us together. It makes me happy not to see their pity anymore. I bury the notion of what's going to happen when Zach and I "split-up". But that's a problem for another day.

Alan, after having one too many drinks, stomps over with his girlfriend. I grip Zach's hand, ready for whatever happens.

Zach looks over at Alan with distaste. I haven't known Zach long, but I'm already recognizing his displeased look and I'm hesitant as to what's going to happen.

"Mr. Whitmore, Zach. Huge fan of yours." Mandy, his girlfriend, can't keep her eyes off Zach as she's blatantly taking his clothes off with her eyes. "I've followed your career. I've been trying to set up a meeting with you to discuss some business. My name is Alan Johnson. Since we're here, I figure we can get a meeting on the books."

Alan sticks his nose up at me pretending I'm not here, and Zach replies. "I'm sorry, but I'm here with my girlfriend and don't discuss business."

Alan rolls his tongue in his mouth as anger fuels his gaze. "Girlfriend? You're Zachary fucking Whitmore. What the hell do you want with Claire here? You know she's my sloppy seconds?"

The people around us hush as my jaw drops.

Did he actually say that about me? In front of my family? Zach?

I want to run so I don't ruin Ellie's day, but Zach won't release his grip on my hand. He steps forward getting in Alan's space. I tug on Zach's arm, hoping to take him out of the situation. He doesn't budge.