I should be out there, welcoming everyone and double checking that the flowers are exactly where they need to be. If anything, I should be back with Henley, making sure she’s having the time of her life and not about to bail on the best thing to ever happen to her. Though, she wouldn’t. If anyone was going to bail today, it’d be me.
If everything had gone to plan, we’d be halfway through the ceremony by now, but instead, people are standing around, sipping on champagne while the bride and groom are…who the hell knows, and I’m here freaking out in my car.
Real nice, Tully. Very mature.
I guess it’s time to pull it together. Spencer and Jared have been out there holding down the fort for the past twenty minutes when I should have been out there helping.
I pull the sun visor down and check my reflection only to find a crazed stranger staring back at me.
Disappointment fires through me. I looked so nice before. I had my makeup done by a makeup artist and now I look like I’ve just come off a three day bender with Aiden.
I try my best to fix up my makeup, but it’s a lost cause. There’s not a lot I can do about it now.
I double check my dress, take a few slow, deep breaths, and prepare myself to put on the show of a lifetime. I can do this. I just need to smile until the early hours of the morning and then I can go home and try to forget.
I step out of my car and start making my way towards the guests when I decide that a glass of champagne would be in my best interest. Maybe two. Hell, I better make it three just for good measure.
The rim of the champagne flute is only just brushing my lips when Spencer appears at my side, sliding his arm around my waist and drawing me into his strong body. “You look gorgeous,” he murmurs, dipping his head and pressing a kiss to my shoulder.
I give him a tight smile, feeling like absolute shit for being this messed up over a guy who hasn’t been in my life for over four years. Especially when Spencer was so patient with me, giving me the time I needed to be at peace and allow me to move on at my own pace. He’s been incredible, despite the four rejected proposals and the moving box which has remained in my apartment for six months. At some point, that box will turn into boxes and I’ll move out, but something keeps holding me back.
I swallow back the lump in my throat and give him my full attention. “Thanks. Henley picked well,” I tell him, running a hand down my dress before checking him out. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
Spencer grins down at me but it quickly fades from his face. “What’s wrong? You look upset.”
“No, no. I’m fine. Just emotional, I guess. You know, it’s going to be a big day and these are two of my favorite people,” I explain, feeling even worse. I mean, am I a liar now? Am I really not going to tell him what’s up? That the one person who could change it all showed up on my doorstep not twenty minutes ago and has been messing with my head ever since?
Spencer holds me a little tighter. “Don’t start being a girl on me now.”
I roll my eyes and let out a sigh. “You’re right. I’m just being silly. I’m fine,”
Spencer gives me an encouraging smile before looking up at the parking lot and quickly scanning the cars and people. “Where’s Henley? I thought you were supposed to be coming with her?”
“I was, but there was a slight…change of plans. She’ll be here soon and then it can get started,” I explain, desperately needing to remember that this day is about Henley and Noah, not me and my crazed emotions. “But, I um…I should go mingle and say hi to the guests. You know, apologize for the delay and let them know that everything is on track.”
He slowly nods his head as I step out of his arms and I do my best to put it all to the back of my mind.
I make my way around the guests. Aria is here with her dad, who has his new wife, Jackie, on his arm and her other son hovering close by her side. They’re so sweet together to the point that I’m actually kind of jealous. All my extended family are here, family friends, all of the guys Noah works with at the fire department, and of course, all of our friends from Broken Hill. So, despite how I’m currently feeling, I’m sure it’s still going to be an incredible day.