5. Bridget

brIDGET

"Let's put Abigail with Dory."The wedding planner, Cara, looks down at her clipboard, scanning the list of wedding party members with her pen.

Abigail flicks her red hair and goes to stand next to the tall, dark, and handsome Englishman who seems to almost lean away from her with his body, though his smile is inviting her to come closer.

I stand with my arms crossed. Nerves are at an all-time high since the wedding is tomorrow and we only have a half hour to get the rehearsal right before we're to head off to the rehearsal dinner.

Not even the beautiful garden scenery or the temperate evening can make up for my mood.

I'm waiting to be paired with one of the groomsmen for my walk down the aisle.

It's customary for the maid of honor to walk down the aisle with the best man, but Edwin's best man is my dad. In theory, this would be fine, but Dad is actually going to walk Sonia down the aisle since her father passed away several years ago.

So, now I have to be saddled with someone else.

"Bridget and…"

I glance over at the groomsmen. There's Nate and Jack, Edwin's sons. Jack's walking down the aisle with one of Sonia's friends from California. Nate's already spoken for in the form of Laney, and so is Mason. The three of them are in a throuple situation that has been both strange and beautiful to watch come to life.

I can't imagine one guy falling in love with me, let alone two.

Anyway, they've already insisted on going down the aisle together in a trio, throwing off the numbers even more.

Then there's Theodore Wallington, Dory to his friends, apparently an old buddy of Edwin's from his salad days. He's already been paired with Abigail, Edwin's daughter.

"Okay, let's have Bridget and Seth," Cara says, lifting her head and giving a bright smile.

As if she hasn't just said something absurd.

My gaze shoots to Seth who stands among the boys with a petrified stare in my direction.

Great, he knows just as well as I do how horrendous this situation is.

"Oh, my god…" Nate says, covering his mouth with his hand to cover up a snort of laughter.

Mason boxes him on the shoulder. "Bro."

Nate isn't the only one reacting this way.

Abigail is doing her best not to look shocked, but her big green eyes betray her. Edwin's mouth opens and closes like a fish. And Jack is rubbing his face like he's an old man, already exhausted by the events of today.

"Bridget and Seth?" Cara repeats, confusion starting to register on her face. "Is something wrong?"

I purse my lips. "N-no, nothing's wrong." Because it's true. Nothing's wrong.

Seth and I won't be walking down the aisle to get married ourselves. We're just part of the wedding party. There's no reason everyone has to be making a big deal about this. In fact, it's making it worse.

"We can't," Seth says, jaw set.

I know I'm the one that put the embargo on our communication, but I can't help being hurt by his response.

Cara's forehead puckers with so many wrinkles I'd swear she was a pug in a past life. "W-why?"

My father steps forward from his place behind the action, waiting with Sonia to do the final part of the walkthrough. He gets Cara's attention with a delicate touch to her shoulder. "Bridget and Seth are siblings."

I feel sick with myself.

"Step siblings, but still," Dad adds with a forced chuckle. "I think everyone's just responding to the weirdness of that? Maybe?" His eyes skitter to the group for approval.

Nate shakes out his beachy blond hair. "Yeah, I'm sorry. Sometimes, I'm surprised these two didn't grow up together the way they go at it."

"Cats and dogs," Mason adds.

"Guys…" Laney admonishes in a soft tone that always gets them both in line. To have that kind of power…I want to be her.

Sonia steps forward as well. "Bridget, would you be more comfortable walking with someone else?"

Leave it to Sonia to put the power back in my hands. I wish I could claim it myself, but I've never felt powerful enough for that. I don't feel comfortable with having control in situations like this. Which is just another reason I crave my own Dom. I want someone to save me from embarrassing myself. From the agony that is to be required to speak up for myself when I flounder with what to do.

But Seth's already made it clear he won't walk with me. No need to add insult to injury.

I hope it's not obvious from my expression how strange this all is, so I just smile. "Yes, it's just a little weird. Could we figure out something else?"

Cara pages through her clipboard. What could she possibly have to look at on the clipboard when it comes to making an order of a bridal party walking down the aisle?! "Oh, um, of course, I'm so sorry. I thought I had gone through all the relationships and details and–"

I want to crawl inside a hole and die. "It's alright." Last thing I want to do is make someone as uncomfortable as I am with the situation.

"How about, Dory, you walk with Bridget and Abigail walks with Seth and then I think–then I think–"

"That will be fine, love." Dory takes a step away from Abigail in my direction. His smile is so easy, like cream being added to coffee. "Alright with you, Bridget?"

"Y-yes." I don't mean to stutter. It just happens.

And I know Seth notices. I see it out of the corner of my eye. His whole posture tenses.

"And Seth and Abigail, is that–"

Abigail rolls her eyes, but wears an effervescent smile. "What do you think, Sethy? Can you put up with me for a bit?"

Seth closes his eyes. "Fine."

"Better than me," I say under my breath as Dory navigates into position beside me.

"Say something, dear?" the tall Englishman asks.

I glance up at him.

His hair is a wonderful mess of curls that seem to fall in perfect choreography over his forehead. And that smile is contagious.

I find myself smiling with ease, no force about it. "Nothing. It's nice to finally meet you." I hold out my hand.

Dory takes my hand in his. He's taller than Seth by several inches, would be a gangly beanpole if not for the clear density of his muscles beneath his tailored khaki suit.

He doesn't shake my hand. Just squeezes it, thumb sliding over my skin. "Pleasure's all mine." He lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses it with gentleness before his eyes rise to meet mine. "Bridget."

I know Dory knows what he's doing, but I can't help but swoon. My name in his British accent is like heaven.

My face burns. Not from blushing. But from Seth's eyes boring into my skin.

What the hell is his problem. He is the one who didn't want to walk with me.

I hate that he doesn't see the capable woman I am. Why won't he just let me be? It shouldn't bother him so much that I've grown up and am more than ready to interact with other men. I'm not some little fragile thing that needs to be protected.

I'm twenty-fucking-six years old. When will I be mature enough in his eyes to handle myself?

And if he was any other guy, I might be tempted to think he was jealous, but this is Seth. And hell is far from freezing over.

Whatever. Let him be an asshole. I don't care.

I'm going to have fun with the older British man.

How old is he? In his forties? Not really my cup of tea, but hey, maybe I need to change tack, try something new.

As Cara rounds everyone up in the order we'll go down the aisle, Dory leans down toward my ear and speaks in a low voice as to not be overheard, "Sonia's very lucky to have such a beautiful maid of honor."

"Is she?" My heart is flittering like a thousand butterfly wings.

I'm not good at this kind of thing. I'm good at being a good girl who trips over her words and is shy and polite. Not the flirting thing. But I'm going to try my level best to push past that.

Who knows what worlds might open up to me if I do?

"I'd say so. She should also be grateful she's already taken. I'm sure when the two of you go out, you're the one who gets all the attention."

I can't keep from flushing.

And I can't ignore the fact that Seth keeps turning his head the slightest degree from his spot in front of us in line. Is he trying to eavesdrop?

"I think you're flattering me, Mr. Wallington."

"Oof, remind me of my age, why don't you?" He clutches his chest.

I laugh. "I'm just trying to be polite."

"Well, Bridget, you needn't ever be polite with me." He grins, and oh, god. It's devilish and delicious.

My eyes catch Seth in front of me. His jaw his ticking so hard it could be seen from space.

Abigail pulls on Seth's arm. "It's our turn! Pay attention!"

The two of them begin their walk down the aisle.

"You should take my arm, probably," Dory says. "Customary, I've heard."

I slowly slide my hand around his bicep.

Holy crap. His muscles are firm even through his jacket.

Dory's hand shoots out and grabs mine, pressing it harder to him.

I can't hide my shock, eyes wide as I look up at him.

"Like I said, don't be polite."

It's our turn to walk down the aisle, and so we do. It is rather uneventful because the least I can do as a maid of honor is be easy to work with.

However, the one thing that nearly throws me off balance is Seth. As per fucking usual.

He watches from the top of the aisle. Eyes glued to me. Unapologetic. Not trying to hide. The tension remains in his body, in his hands folded in front of him, wringing.

Why? Because I'm of me on the arm of a man?

I know he thinks Dory will chew me up and spit me out, but why can't he just relax? Just because another man is touching me doesn't mean he's going to–

For one fleeting second, as my mind gets away from me, I concede maybe Seth is right to worry about me. But before memory lane takes me down hurtful paths, I shut it down.

As Dory and I arrive at the top of the aisle, he relaxes his arm, lets me step away. "Until we meet again, Bridget."

He's too charming for his own good.

I try to reply, but I'm distracted by Seth behind him.

Yes, his body language makes him look angry. But his expression is…is that hurt?

I would call Seth many things. Temperamental, domineering, exhausting.

The number of times I've seen a grief-filled look in his eye have been few. Very few.

I go to my spot as maid of honor and try to focus on what is happening, but it's no use.

I'm fixated on Seth. That final look he gave me.

If he's in pain over not walking down the aisle with me, which is a long shot, then he only has himself to blame.

Of course, that is just wishful thinking because Seth would never even consider touching me with a pole, let alone let me walk with him arm-in-arm.

After the rehearsal,the wedding party flocks out of the garden and into the big estate house where dinner is being held and other welcomed guests are already congregating.

I walk next to Dory who hasn't left my side since we walked back down the aisle together. He's been chatting with me, or at me I should say, considering I'm not very good at keeping up conversation with my head is full of so many thoughts.

"Anyway, enough of me talking, what about you, Bridget? What do you do?"

I smile to myself. My answer always excites people, men and women alike. And it most certainly keeps conversation going since they have questions for me, and I don't have to keep the ball of conversation in the air. Unless I have a couple drinks in me…that helps immensely.

My smile grows as I remember that's how Sonia and I became friends in the first place, when I cornered her in the bathroom at Lyons Club her first day here.

That feels so long ago now.

"I design lingerie."

Dory's head jerks back with a laugh. "What?"

"Did I surprise you?" I grin.

"Yes. Very…surprised."

We begin to walk up the steps to the archway entrance of the mansion. "Why does that surprise you?"

"Because you're…"

I raise my eyebrows.

Dory catches his next laugh in his hand, runs his hand down his clean-shaven chin. "So polite. I'm shocked, truly. How did you get into that?"

I am careful as I climb the steps, scared my heels will have me tumbling down at any moment. "I've always loved fashion."

"Well, I can tell. You're very well dressed."

"Thank you," I reply. "And I know it's not really cool anymore, but I always loved watching the Victoria's Secret Fashion show. Something about how every garment was like a puzzle and yet was made with so little fabric."

"A puzzle. That's one way to describe lingerie," he says with a suggestive tone.

I laugh. "Well, I'm sure you have other reasons for enjoying it. But I really fell in love with the craftsmanship and…now here I am."

We make it to the top of the steps.

Dory slides his hands into his pockets. "Well, I'd love to see your work."

"I'm on Instagram." I smile.

Dory's eyes narrow, and he smiles. "That's not how I meant, love."

My stomach plummets in the best way. It's clear this man is after one thing and one thing only. And I know myself. I know what I need. And I know that isn't Dory.

But a little flirting doesn't have to end in bed, does it?

"I'm sorry, perhaps that was too forward," Dory says.

"You're not sorry at all." I smirk.

His tongue slides across his lower lip. "I'm happy to give an apology when it's very necessary. Is it?"

I am about to tell him no when a hand grips my bicep. A hand and a grip I know too well. Looking at Seth over my shoulder, I glower. "Seth!"

"We need to talk." With a simple nod to Dory, he says, "Sorry to interrupt."

"No apology ne–"

We don't remain long enough to hear the rest of Dory's sentence.

Seth yanks me over to one of the tall columns making up the fa?ade of the mansion.

"You're hurting me!" I hiss.

"Sorry," he grumbles, lightening his grip but not letting go. "Need you away from the stairs."

I scoff. "What?"

He glowers at me. "Don't act like you don't remember."

Shit.

The memories that tried to creep up before threaten to resurface again, and I can't let them. Because I know exactly what he is talking about. Too bad he doesn't know what he is talking about.

No one knows. And no one will ever know if I have any say in it. Not even my family. Especially my family.

I shake off the past.

"I can handle steps, Seth." We stop at the base of the column, out of sight of most everyone. "What do you want?"

"What the hell are you doing with Dory?" His chest rises and falls with clear pent-up frustration.

I shake my head. "Talking?"

"No. That's not just talking. He's flirting with you. And you're flirting back."

"So?!"

Seth's eyes widen. "So?! He's a total womanizer."

"It's just flirting, Seth."

"Not with him it's not."

My shoulders slump forward.

I'm exhausted by this game, this back and forth. "I'm a grown fucking woman, Seth. I can make my own choices."

"I'm protecting you!" I can tell he is holding back, because if he could yell it, he would.

"You're manipulating me!"

His brow furrows. "Manipulating?! I'm–"

"I told you to stop talking to me. And twice you've crossed that boundary. I don't want you involved in any part of my life."

Seth face slackens. "You don't mean that."

Of course, I don't fucking mean that.

Seth has preoccupied every other one of my thoughts for years now.

I want him.

"I've never given you any shit for the way you fuck around at the club or any of the girls you've ever–"

"It's different!"

Is he kidding right now? "How is it different?"

"Because someone needs to protect you! I'm not worth protecting like you need to be."

I frown. "You really think that?"

Seth finally drops his hand from my arm and steps back. "Just stay the fuck away from him, alright?"

I blink.

"I'm done with this, Seth." I take a couple steps away, trying to keep my composure. "Just stop."

He doesn't reply.

So, I walk away, setting an intention in myself. I'll make the best of this wedding weekend. And I don't care how mad Seth gets in the process.