“Exactly my thoughts. There must be some of Joshua’s family and friends we haven’t met yet. Sophie’s not the only one who needs to snag herself a man.” Jodie pulled on her dress over a matching lingerie set.
“Sophie and I probably haven’t met them, but you, Jodie, have already dated most of them.” Autumn rolled her eyes. Jodie’s propensity to serial date meant she hadn’t settled down either. It wouldn’t surprise either of us if she were the only one to come away from today’s wedding with a phone full of numbers.
“Don’t be so rude. I just haven’t found the right guy yet.” Jodie pouted.
“But you don’t have to date every single guy in the world,” I pointed out.
“Nor do you need to knock back everyone who asks you out because they don’t compare to your childhood crush.”
Both Autumn and I froze at Jodie’s throwaway comment. She couldn’t possibly know about me spending the night in Max’s room—an eye mask and ability to sleep through an earthquake would have meant she didn’t miss me at all.
“Don’t be ridiculous, I date.” I forced a laugh. I didn’t want to let on that she was closer to the mark than she realized.
“When was the last time you got further than two dates with the same person?” challenged Jodie, hands on her hips.
I couldn’t believe we were having this conversation on Brianna’s wedding day.
“Does it matter? Maybe today is the day I decide to find someone I truly like and want to settle down with.” Now that I had realized that person wasn’t likely to be Max, my resolve strengthened. Like Autumn had said, I needed to make Max see what he was missing out on.
Once Autumn had finished with my hair, I turned my attention to my makeup while she helped Jodie. A muted eyeshadow with mascara to make my eyes look bigger, a swipe of blush to give my cheeks a gently flushed look, then a strong red lip. With my movie star hair and more makeup than I usually wore, I almost didn’t recognize myself.
Straightening my shoulders and taking a look at the reflection in the mirror, I was satisfied with the result. Now to get dressed and complete the overall picture. I went to the wardrobe where my dress for the day hung. The burgundy embroidered dress was fitted around the bodice and flared into a dip hem, the front of which fell just below my knee and to mid-calf at the back. It had a Bardot neckline with scalloped edging and clung to my curves in all the right places. I’d paired it with simple suede pumps in the same color and had a cream wrap to keep me warm. A cute little burgundy velvet evening bag, big enough for makeup, some cash, and my phone, completed the outfit. When I’d bought the dress, I might have had Max in mind, but after everything that had happened, I wasn’t sure he was the one I wanted to impress.
“Geez, Sophie, what happened to your leg?” exclaimed Jodie, as I slipped off my robe to get dressed. “That’s one hell of a bruise.”
“Bumped into the dressing table when I got up during the night,” I improvised. “This room is so small. I’m surprised you haven’t done the same.”
“I’m surprised I didn’t hear you.” She seemed to accept the explanation without any issues, then giggled. “Matches your dress though.”
We carried on getting dressed and made up, chatting about all the people we were looking forward to catching up with. People we hadn’t seen since school or college.
A small pang of jealousy caught in my chest. Brianna really was living the dream, marrying her childhood sweetheart. If things had been different, maybe that could have been me.
Before we headed off to the ceremony, the three of us stood in the living area of the cabin.
“There are going to be plenty of eligible men here today. We need to find you one.” Autumn gripped my hands tightly.
“Looking like that, you’re not going to have any problems at all,” agreed Jodie.
I only hoped they were right.
Chapter Ten
Max
Had the wedding been during the summer, an outdoor wedding ceremony at Holiday Springs would have been absolutely glorious. The tranquil area—surrounded by nature, with perfectly manicured lawns, a babbling mountain brook, and apple and oak trees—provided the much-needed intimacy and privacy for such an occasion.
Because it was freezing, Joshua and Brianna had opted for the warmer but less picturesque indoor area instead. The seats, with their gold backs and cream-colored cushions, were adorned with deep, dark red ribbons, the same color as the bridesmaids’ dresses and the groomsmen’s cravats. There was a flowered arch where the couple would exchange vows and a piano to one side.
If I weren’t so damn hungover and wracked with guilt, I would have been able to appreciate the beauty much more.
Joshua beckoned Evan, Trent, and me over.
“You two know what you’re doing?” Joshua wagged his finger between Trent and me.
“Yeah, we’re making sure everyone gets to their seats in good time before the ceremony starts,” cited Trent.
“They should start arriving any minute now.” Joshua glanced over the doorway, where a couple of older guests stood. “Geez, trust Aunt Bonnie to be first.”
“Would you expect anything less? She’ll be the first at her own funeral,” joked Evan. “Max, make sure you get her a good seat in the front? We’ll never hear the end of it otherwise.”
I saluted. “Got it.”
Joshua shifted from foot to foot, fidgeting with his cravat. He kept glancing towards the doorway.
“She’ll be here,” said Evan, placing a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Brianna wants to marry you more than anything in the world. There’s no way she’d back out.”
The groom exhaled a hard breath. “I know, man. But this is the first time I’ve felt it for real.” He
