Page 102 of Hard to Get

“Improper? Indecent?”

“I get the gist.” He takes the coat from me and holds it for me to slip my arms into. “I try to control myself around you, but goddamn, just looking at you drives me crazy.”

I’m enchanted. Despite his unseemly fascination with my tatas. Which, to be honest, also charms me.

I pick up my little purse and turn to Betty, who looks devastated that we’re leaving. Okay, that’s her normal expression. “I’ll be home as soon as I can,” I tell her. “But don’t wait up.”

Jayden has a car waiting out front and he opens the door for me. I slide in, gathering up my skirt, and he follows. It’s not far to the Gastown Guild. In other circumstances, we would walk, but I’m wearing three-inch heels. Also, Jayden’s foot is better, but it still hurts. At least it’s not raining today.

“How was the rehearsal dinner?” he asks.

“Oh. Pretty much as expected.” He knows I’m nervous about how my parents are going to behave at the wedding. I tell him their shenanigans last night. “Harrison talked to Dad, and I talked to Mom, but I don’t think it matters. Mom’s still so bitter.”

“That’s too bad. It’s been a long time.”

“I know. It’s frustrating. And sad.” I make a face.

His face is shadowy in the back seat of the car but I see the somber expression. “That is sad.”

I wave a hand. “She has a date for the wedding. A new man. He seems nice. I hope we just all have fun tonight. It’s supposed to be about Meredith and Harrison, not them.”

“Exactly.”

The Gastown Guild is an old private club. The building is historical and beautiful, and we enter the lobby with its granite floors and soaring ceilings. Other guests are also arriving and after checking my coat, we make our way to the Harbour Room where the ceremony will be. It’s small and cozy, with a big fireplace on the far wall adorned with masses of flowers and hundreds (maybe?) of flickering candles.

“So bougie,” Jayden murmurs.

I give him a raised-eyebrows look.

He grins. And I smile, too.

We’re seated right up at the front. I smile at other family members and friends of my brother as we take our seats. We watch Meredith’s grandparents be seated, then Mom and Jason settle in chairs in front of us. I quickly lean forward and introduce Jayden. “This is my mom, Cheryl,” I say. “And her friend Jason. Mom, Jason, this is Jayden Wood.”

They shake hands and exchange hushed greetings and then Meredith’s mom is escorted down the aisle to her seat, followed by Harrison and his groomsmen.

“I can’t believe my brother is getting married!” I whisper to Jayden. I give Harrison a finger wave as he takes his place and he grins at me.

Jayden catches my hand and squeezes it. I look down where his strong hand closes around my smaller one. And I curl my fingers around his, too.

The bridesmaids start down the aisle, all looking beautiful in burgundy gowns, carrying bouquets of dark-red and blush-pink roses and eucalyptus.

When Meredith appears in her beautiful, billowy white dress, my heart squeezes then swells in my chest, pushing against my breastbone. I look at Harrison looking at her, and his expression is one of such adoration, my eyes prickle with unexpected tears. Sniffling like a child, I watch wide-eyed as his bride glides down the aisle.

A tissue is pressed into my hand and I glance at Jayden. His smile is gentle.

Well, this is embarrassing. I dab at my eyes and nose, listening to the officiant begin the service. But when Harrison says his vows, my eyes overflow again.

“You move through the world with endless grace and kindness,” Harrison says to his bride. “And I vow to show you the same every day of our marriage.”

I swallow a sob.

Jayden squeezes my hand again.

I swipe at my eyes with a sheepish smile for him.

Meredith takes her turn and I watch her with my vision blurred by hot tears, pressing a hand to my aching heart. It’s their love story and it’s romantic and moving because I care about both of them and want them to be happy forever. I want to believe in happily ever after for them despite my cynical opinion that love is only fleeting and marriage is for suckers.

After Harrison and Meredith are pronounced husband and wife, I have to desert Jayden for a bunch of family photos back in the Harbour Room in front of the fireplace. Things get tense when Mom insists that Wendy can’t be in the family photos. I guide Mom aside for a low conversation with her.