The black limo pulls up and Spencer, Jared, and I jump into action, gathering the guests to take their seats and make sure everything is as it’s supposed to be.
Harrison starts making his way up the aisle so he can walk his baby girl back up it and I follow behind, ignoring the gasps of the guests as they no doubt take in the guy who they never expected to see.
Noah starts making his way down to stand by the alter and shakes hands with Harrison as he passes before stepping in front of me and forcing me to a stop. “Are you ok?” he murmurs low, searching my eyes and already seeing my truth.
I give him a bright smile despite the hollowness inside that’s eating away at my happiness. “It’s your day, Noah. Don’t worry about me.”
He shakes his head, not accepting that for one second. “I don’t want you hurting, especially not today.”
I push up onto my tippy toes and press a kiss to his cheek. “I love you,” I tell him before stepping around him and continuing up the aisle.
I feel his heavy gaze on my back, but it’s nothing compared to the other intense stare I feel resting on my face. I don’t know where he is, nor do I want to, but Rivers is here somewhere and I don’t doubt that the next hour is going to be the hardest one of my life.
I shake it off and join Harrison at the back of the limo just in time to watch him offering Henley his hand and helping her out. She’s simply stunning. I know I’ve been with her all morning and watched her transform from Rockstar into a blushing bride, but it doesn’t change the fact that she’s easily the most beautiful woman I know. Noah is one hell of a lucky guy.
I’m about to remind her of this when Aria comes racing up and crashes into her sister, giving her the warmest hug and holding on with everything she’s got.
Henley’s eyes come to mine over Aria’s shoulder and I see the question on her lips and groan to myself. “Are you ok?” she asks, eying me with concern.
“You know, you and Noah really were made for each other.” Henley grins back at me, instantly catching on to my meaning. “Come on,” I tell her, looping my arm through hers once Aria releases her from her death grip “Let’s get you married.”
We stay hidden behind the limo until it’s time to go and I have to admit, not having Rivers eyes on me for this brief moment is refreshing and gives me the time I need to catch my breath.
The music starts and the guest all turn in their seats to watch the show and I suck it up. All I have to do is walk down there and keep my eyes on Noah and Henley. It’s really not that hard.
We grab our bouquets and a second later, Aria takes off down the aisle looking radiant, and before I know it, I have to get my ass moving. My feet don’t want to take me, but I’m not about to ruin this for Henley and make it all about me. This is her big day and as far as she’s concerned, I’m absolutely fine.
I start walking and it’s not long before I’m walking down the aisle and under the canopy of flowers and fairy lights that I’ve spent the last week busting my ass on. It’s beautiful, but it was hard work. It covers the whole wedding and is hung from the surrounding trees. It’s by far my best work and it pisses me off that I’m having a really hard time enjoying it, especially when I look up at Rivers standing right between the two men in my life; Noah and Spencer.
Damn it. What’s he doing there?
I should have known. Why didn’t I prepare myself for this? Of course, Noah was going to ask him to be his best man.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
I’d always imagined that one day I’d be walking down the aisle to him. Who would have known that it’d be like this?
Rivers’ eyes bore into mine and my heart races. I shouldn’t be feeling like this. I should be hating on him and cursing him out yet all I want to do is run to him and throw myself into his arms while he tells me that it’s all going to be ok. I’ve missed him so fucking much.
My soul has cried out for him every day for the past 1,567 days and I want nothing more than to be completely consumed by him.
My eyes have a hard time moving from his as my chest rises and falls with my wild emotions. He stands before me in his formal military dress suit just as he was wearing earlier and my heart screams for him.