Stubble shadowed his jaw, and my nipples tightened with remembered pleasure. He gave a shy smile that turned my insides to melting chocolate. Trust him to look like he’d stepped out of a Calvin Klein ad. The way my body reacted pissed me off more than Keegan’s reappearance.
“I needed someone to give me away,” Barb said unapologetically.
“But, but… you asked me to do that…”
“I changed my mind. A bride’s prerogative.”
Keegan moved toward me. His gaze traveled over me, heating my skin. “Tessa, I—”
“No time for that.” Barb curled her arm around Keegan’s. “You two crazy kids can work it out later. Right now, my destiny is waiting.”
Too startled to do anything else, I followed Keegan and Barb down the worn stone steps like a wind-up doll and held onto the creaking banister with a death grip.
Walking in four-inch heels was next to impossible without the cooperation of my brain and legs.
My heart skipped at his proximity, but anger surged in my belly. I tamped my emotions down for now, but when the ceremony was over, and as soon as I could get him alone, I’d demand answers. How dare he show up and send my mind into turmoil again. Well, if he thought I’d forgive and forget…
Oh, please. If he asked you to drop your panties right here right now, you would.
Would not.
Whatever.
At the bottom of the aisle, I reached out and gave Barb’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Good luck.”
“Thanks, sweetie.”
When a piano version of The Beatles’ “Long and Winding Road” began, I giggled and rolled my eyes at Barb’s warped sense of humor.
I clutched my bouquet of winter white roses and marched down the French lace runner, praying I wouldn’t trip and fall flat on my face. I’d embarrassed myself enough over the past few days to last me a lifetime.
At the top of the aisle, I stood to the left of a dapper and tuxedoed Brendan and Max.
The band struck up She Moved Through the Fair. The haunting music chased goosebumps all over my skin.
Barb placed her hand on Keegan’s forearm and floated toward her future husband, and my heart filled to bursting. If anyone needed proof that love at first sight, or in their case love at first snipe, could happen, then Brendan and Barb were it.
A strand of Keegan’s hair fell into his forehead, and my fingers itched to push it back. My fingers also tingled and itched to pull his hair while I straddled his lap.
No, no, and no.
He was Shane’s friend, and that was enough to make me stay away for life.
Lead filled my chest, and I glanced at Keegan. He smiled at me. I scowled back, which made his smile grow wider. Bastard. I turned away. He could keep his nipple-hardening-bra-melting smile all to himself. I didn’t want him here. But I was glad he was. I gritted my teeth. My whirlwind emotions were enough to create a tornado strong enough to rip the castle apart.
When Keegan and Barb reached the top of the aisle, he placed a kiss on Barb’s cheek and presented her to Brendan. At the sight of Barb, Max, who wore a red bowtie, yipped, and his tail went into overdrive.
I hoped when I got married, and when life got crappy, or when I fought with Kee—my husband, whoever that would be—that I’d always remember the love we felt on our wedding day.
While the happy couple exchanged vows, a movement caught my eye. I turned my head and saw Keegan watching me full on. His gaze devoured me, stealing my breath, and my heart lurched like a leashed puppy desperate to get to its owner.
Cheers of congratulations and Max’s barking distracted me, and I averted my gaze toward the altar. A smiling Brendan grabbed Barb by the waist and lifted her in the air. Her hands found his shoulders, and he lowered her until their lips met, which caused the congregation to cheer even louder.
They were lucky to have found each other, and a twinge of envy rippled my heart, but at the same time, I couldn’t be happier for them.
Keegan crossed the aisle and stood by my side, but I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t. No matter how much I wanted to lay my head against his arm, to feel the warmth of his body seeping into mine, I wouldn’t. Not yet. Maybe never. Besides, I needed answers. He’d made it clear he wanted nothing to do with me. That like all women, I couldn’t be trusted. And then there was the whole Shane connection I still didn’t understand or quite comprehend.
The back of Keegan’s hand grazed against mine, momentarily stunning me. I swayed a little and glanced at him. A frown creased his forehead, but then he gazed at the floor like a scolded child. I shook my head and pulled my hand away.
Keegan walked up to the makeshift altar, tapped the microphone, and called for attention. A murmured hush fell over the room. “On behalf of the bride and groom, thank you for all coming with little or no notice.” The guests cheered again, and Barb gave a regal bow. “I also want to thank Tessa Maken for pulling this off at the last minute. Even under immense pressure, she didn’t crack.” He turned to Tessa. “I lov—”
Hell no. I bolted up to the altar and grabbed the microphone from Keegan before he said something we’d both regret. “If everyone would like to go to the foyer, we have buttered whiskey, champagne, and hors d’oeuvres.”
Whatever Keegan was about to say, now was so not the time. The L word coming from his lips
