24. Wedding Day

Jane

The wedding is taking place in a beautiful flower garden not far from the hotel, and it's magnificent. The arch is made of lavender-colored roses, white lilies, and climbing vines, and the aisle is set up in a secluded corner, high bushes of purple lilacs and white hydrangeas cordoning it off from the rest of the garden. It's like we're in a labyrinth, nothing but flowers and plants surrounding us. The delicate aromas and bird songs contribute to the romantic setting. I get why they chose this place to tie the knot.

Colton and I are seated toward the middle on the groom's side. We haven't talked to the bride and groom yet, but Colton waved at Wade when he stepped under the wedding arch alongside his brother. Since Wade is a professional soccer player, most of the people on our side look straight off a sportswear commercial. Perfect features, neatly styled hair. Wade, too, is particularly good looking. He kind of makes me think of the main character in "Peaky Blinders"—fitting, considering we're in the UK.

I'm wearing a rose-gold satin dress I bought with Marcie and Jules, and Colton matched the color of his pocket square with my dress.

When the wedding march begins, I start fidgeting nervously. I'm not the one getting married. I have nothing to be anxious about. Except that the musical cue also means the wedding is officially on, and so is a long afternoon of pretending.

But when the bride steps into the aisle, my anxiety washes away. Roxy's dress is beautiful—an off-shoulder ball gown covered in 3D flower lace—and her beaming expression matches Wade's. Her dad is walking her down the aisle, struggling to rein in his tears.

The corners of my eyes prickle as well, partly because I'm a sympathetic crier, but mostly because I can't help thinking of my own wedding, how no one will be there to walk me down the aisle. The marriage is fake, Jane. Get over it! The number of times I've had to repeat this to myself lately is frankly embarrassing.

I spent hours picking out the napkins we'll use for the reception, but does it really matter? I listened to countless bands before making my choice, but who cares? I fought Agnes on the location, but why? It's all pointless.

When I come back to reality, Wade and Roxy are exchanging vows. They look so deeply in love, stealing glances and secret, meaningful smiles. It kind of reminds me of our engagement dinner, when Colton and I were on stage. Except those were secret scheming smiles. Not the same smiles Wade and Roxy are exchanging, I'm sure.

They recite their vows and close the ceremony by kissing passionately under the applause of the guests. It was a truly beautiful moment between two people who were clearly in love. I can't help but dread how difficult it'll be to fake it when Colton and I are saying our own vows. Not that pretending to be smitten with Colton would be hard. But faking it while also trying to hide my feelings definitely will.

My life is a mess.

After the ceremony, we get in line to congratulate the newlyweds.

"Colton, how are you, mate?" Wade takes Colton into a bro hug. "So glad you could make it."

"Congratulations to both of you," Colton says, then turns to Roxy. "Nice to see you again."

"You too," she says with a warm smile. We haven't even met yet, but she immediately strikes me as a very kind girl.

"Roxy, Wade. I want you to meet Jane, my fiancée," Colton says, placing a hand on my lower back. My instinct is to shrink from his touch, because I'm afraid it might melt the sleek fabric on my body. But then I remember it's within the rules of the contract.

"Hi," I say, shaking both of their hands. "So nice to meet you. It was a beautiful ceremony. Congratulations."

"Thanks," Roxy gushes.

"We are thrilled to meet you," Wade says, flashing a bright smile. "It'll be your turn soon. Never imagined this man would ever get married!"

"You're one to talk," Colton teases back with an amused smile. "Everyone thought you'd stay celibate until the end of your career."

Wade just rolls his eyes. "I wasn't celibate. I was just waiting for the right person," he says, turning to Roxy and kissing her on the cheek.

"Love looks good on you, Hunt," Colton says with a strong British accent that makes me do a double take. Who is this man standing next to me? I was managing okay on this trip until now, but I'm teetering on the edge. And that accent might just be my downfall.

Wade glances between the two of us. "You too."

I force a smile.

Colton looks at me, then at Wade. "We'll see you guys later."

We part ways with the couple, and I breathe a sigh of relief. A few minutes later, Roxy calls everyone over for the bouquet toss. As an engaged woman, I'm obviously sitting this one out.

A dozen girls gather behind Roxy, and the pretty brunette I recognize as the maid of honor catches the bouquet. It seemed like it was aimed right for her.

"Lina," Roxy squeals, turning around with a beaming smile. "So glad you caught it."

"Uh-oh," comes the voice of a tall guy with cobalt blue eyes who's standing next to us.

Lina saunters toward him with a giddy smile. "Well, what do you have to say about that, Jude?"

He scratches his dark hair. "Do I have to get on one knee now? What's the protocol?" he jokes, turning to Colton, who raises his hands up.

"Don't look at me, mate! I know nothing about this."

That makes everybody listening laugh while I just swoon in silence. This accent has to go, ASAP!

Jude takes Lina's hand and whispers something in her ear, and she jumps into his arms.

"Well, if it isn't Colton Green, in the flesh and engaged," the best man booms, slapping Colton on the back and bringing my focus back to him.

"Andrew," Colton says, giving him a tight hug. "Hi, Piper," he says to the brunette in a floral dress next to him. "This is my fiancée, Jane."

"Nice to meet you," they both say, perfectly in sync.

"I would say I can't believe you're getting married," Andrew says. "But given where we're standing today, I'm starting to think anything's possible."

"Right," Colton says with a chuckle. "Your brother said the same thing, more or less. Where are the kids?"

"The little monsters are around here somewhere," Piper says, looking around. "At least, they're supposed to be. Hang on a minute. I'll check on them."

Andrew draws closer to Colton. "It's crazy being back here, isn't it?" he says, looking around and scratching his beard.

"You haven't been back either?" Colton asks, still sporting that dreamy accent.

"No. We mostly stay in London. I guess out of all of the places we've been, this was the most decent. The one we stayed at longest and had the best memories. It's probably why he chose this town in the first place."

"Yeah," Colton says, swallowing hard. "It definitely was for me, but it's bittersweet."

"I know, mate." Andrew shoves his hands into his pockets. "Well, I'll go check on Piper. The kids are probably driving her crazy. See you guys later."

Once Andrew walks away, Colton turns to me. "So, that's it. You just met all my friends." He lets out a light chuckle.

"That's more than I have. They seem nice. It's a shame you don't live closer to them."

"Yeah," he says, running a hand along his jaw. "I've given that a lot of thought, moving the company's headquarters to the UK. But Wade is an athlete with a strict schedule, and Andrew is an active soldier, so he's almost never here. Even if I moved back, I'd still be alone."

"Well, now you have me."

"Yes, I suppose I do," he says, his deep gaze boring into me. He leans toward me, and for a second, I think he's going to kiss me. There's nowhere to run. Just when I begin to close my eyes, his hand gently brushes against my wavy locks. "You had a leaf in your hair," he says, throwing it away.

He stays there, close to me, and my whole body feels like it was lit on fire.

"Thanks," I whisper. Spotting a waiter passing by, I clear my throat. "Oh, champagne. Do you want some?" I blurt.

Colton

Jane has been acting weird all day. She keeps disappearing on me every chance she gets, and she barely said a word during dinner. The speeches are now over, and she still hasn't come back from the restrooms. She had quite a lot to drink during dinner. I'm starting to worry. I'm about to excuse myself from our table to go find her when she returns.

"There you are," I say, not bothering to hide the relief in my voice.

"Sorry," she says. "After using the bathroom, I called the house to ask about Truffles."

"Is everything okay?"

She smiles. "Yes, she's fine. I'm the one missing her," she jokes. "Apparently, she doesn't seem bothered that I'm gone."

Our attention is drawn away when the lights dim, and Wade and Roxy glide to the center of the room for their first dance. They did a splendid job with the decorations. Flowers are the focal point with a lavender-and-white theme. The reception is being held at our hotel in a circular ballroom with rustic exposed bricks and wood beams.

After a while, the couple is joined by the wedding party.

"Now, everyone can join the bride and groom on the dance floor," the DJ announces into the microphone.

I finish my wine for some liquid courage, then hold my hand out to Jane. "Shall we?"

Biting her lip, she glances from side to side, then nods.

What am I doing? I hate dancing. I can't believe I'm the one who suggested this. But as we've already established, I'm a weak and desperate man who will do anything to feel close to Jane.

Placing my hands on her waist, I feel her shiver under my touch, perfectly matching the somersaults in my heart. Her arms wrap around my neck, and her perfume makes my head spin. As our eyes meet, it's like we're alone in this room. I can't even hear the music playing anymore. We rock in silence for a while, and I begin to feel more at ease.

"You're a good dancer," she giggles into my ear, making goosebumps erupt from my face to my forearms.

"So are you," I whisper with a smile, even though she can't see it. "Do we have a first dance planned for our wedding?" I ask. "I'm sorry I haven't been more involved."

She leans back a little so she can see me. "Don't worry about it. I like doing the planning. It keeps me busy. And yes, we'll have a first dance. I figured we'd let the band choose the song since . . . you know. But if you have a request, I can tell them."

"No, no," I say softly. "It's fine." It doesn't really matter what song they play, because I know I won't remember any of it. I'll be too busy focusing on Jane. "Where are we holding it, by the way?"

She chuckles against my cheek, and the vibration shakes my body. "Are you starting to take an interest?"

"Sorry." I wince. "It's approaching fast. I need some details, at least."

Her smile disarms me. "It's going to be in an estate in Malibu. The ceremony will be held outside on a cliff with the sea as a backdrop, and the reception will be inside a tent."

"Oh, nice," I mutter, my voice breaking. I can't seem to say anything more. My mind is blinded by a vision of Jane in her white dress, standing in front of the mighty Pacific, and I'm pretty sure there will be nothing more beautiful in this world.

"If you want me to change—"

"I'm sure it'll be perfect," I say, my gaze colliding with hers. Her eyes drop to my lips, then flit back to my eyes. Mine do the same. Her lips are so perfect, and I get the feeling that she wants this as much as I do. So, I take a small intake of breath and lean toward her.