“Wait. What?” Macie’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah, I’m serious.” Lauren bounced in excitement. “I found out yesterday for sure. I wanted to tell you earlier, but the chatty twins wouldn’t leave us alone.”
“Ford doesn’t know?” Macie needed to sit down. This was too much too fast. They didn’t need to rush, but that was Lauren. Full steam ahead on anything and everything.
“Nah. I’m going to tell him tonight after we get home. He’d freak right now, and he’s nervous enough as it is.” Lauren laughed, her own nerves showing through. “We’ll be fine. He’s spent too much time talking to Zac about financial security over the years. That’s set him on edge. People have made it with less.”
“My mom made it okay,” Macie said.
Lauren smiled. “And you turned out somewhat normal.”
“Meh, normal’s overrated.” Macie smirked.
Someone knocked at the door. Lauren’s father peeked in. “Okay, the bridal party is getting restless now. You ready?”
“Yeah, Dad, I’m totally ready.” Lauren linked her arm through Macie’s and whispered, “I’ve been ready for this since the day I met him.”
Macie squeezed her friend’s arm as they strode out the door. Lauren wasn’t wrong. It was love at first sight. For her and Zac, it had been the opposite. It was strange how things worked out. Maybe getting her heart broken by him was the only way this thing was going to play. Tears began to well in Macie’s eyes, but she blinked them away. If she cried at all today, it would be for Lauren’s happiness.
They stopped at the end of the procession line. Macie kissed Lauren on the cheek and let go of her arm. The flower girls and bridesmaids entered. Then it was Macie’s turn. She took a deep breath and stepped into the chapel as Frank Sinatra crooned about doing it his way. Macie’s smile widened. She’d always joked with Lauren that she’d only walk down the aisle to this song. Of course Lauren would take it too far and have Macie do just that.
Macie focused on Ford. He shuffled on his feet a bit, enough to be noticeable to his closest family and friends. Macie’s smile widened. He was nervous. Even though Lauren had said so, it still took Macie off guard. A hand fell on Ford’s shoulder, calming him instantly. Macie knew that hand, and knew she couldn’t look there. She turned her head toward Lauren’s mother who beamed like she was the bride. Lauren’s grandparents smiled politely, one grandma dabbing the fake tears.
Then she glanced at Ford again, and instead landed on Zac. His gaze was hard and cold, staring through her completely. She tripped over her own two feet, catching herself before she fell and brought a trickle of laughter to the occasion. Great, that was just what Macie was. A joke. She glanced at him again, pleading with her gaze for some response other than hatred. His expression never wavered. Tears welled in her eyes again as she took her place opposite Zac and forced herself to stare toward the doors where Lauren would make her grand entrance. If she held off crying until Lauren walked in with her father, then the tears would at least be justified.
ZAC’S HEART STOPPED beating the minute Macie stepped into the chapel. When she finally looked at him, he froze. When she tripped, he stood beside Ford like a jerk and didn’t rush to help her. But Macie never needed his help. She’d never needed anybody’s help. That was one of the reasons Lauren had the violin player switch songs to Sinatra when Macie took the aisle. And she commanded it. There wasn’t a single eye on her that couldn’t see how beautiful she looked. The plum dress hugged every curve to the point of pornography. Her smooth bare shoulders, her gorgeous hair cascading down her back. He wanted to get on his knee and beg for forgiveness.
Macie took her place across the aisle, where she would be in his peripheral vision for mass. He could see her chest heaving, her eyes brimming with tears. As much as he wanted it to be for him, which was a horrible thing to wish for, he knew this was all about Lauren and Ford. Macie would do nothing to ruin their wedding. If she could control herself, so could he.
The music changed, and Lauren entered with her father. Zac’s chest swelled with pride. She was perfect today. He heard Ford’s sharp intake of breath and knew his buddy felt the same. Lauren didn’t wear a veil, nor did she wear a white dress. Not that anybody would know. He only knew because Macie had told him. Macie. He needed to get her out of his head until all the pomp and circumstance was over. After the ceremony, after the photos, after the reception, then they’d talk.
Mass took forever. Zac stood when required and followed instructions, but he didn’t pay too much attention. Ford and Lauren nudged each other at the alter like two school kids. He glanced toward Macie. Her face glowed. Waiting until after everything was done was going to take the will of a hundred men, but Zac needed to do right by his friends.
When the priest called for the rings, Zac and Macie set them on the open bible. Zac grinned as they said their vows, and grinned as they kissed for the first time as man and wife. He grinned as the congregation cheered. Ford and Lauren smiled at everyone and began the march back down the aisle to a song Zac didn’t recognize. His grin dropped when he turned toward Macie and offered his arm. Without looking at him, she took it, and a part of him became whole again. He couldn’t go on like this any longer.
Macie’s body tensed. He wanted to tell her to relax, or how perfect she looked. But he couldn’t talk. How was he going to
