Page 105 of Best Man Speaking

“But then you were here, and I decided having you, even just for a few weeks, would be the cherry on top of getting the money to support my charity and business. But I was wrong. Completely, utterly wrong. I want you to know I support your decision to buy your home in Edinburgh. I bought the housebecause I want you to have the life you dream of and the money to make it happen. I’ll make the house beautiful because if I can’t have you, I’ll take the scraps you leave behind.”

What I don’t tell her is that each time I’d contacted her property manager, I’d drawn up plans for how I’d restore it. Each time I’d submitted an offer, I’d added one more change. Including yesterday, when I’d offered one final time. The blueprints couldn’t have been more perfect.

My room’s now darkened, the afternoon sun having moved on. It’s time for me to move too.

“I…” Hallie’s eyes seek mine.

I can understand her shock. She’d been right to cut me down with her words the last time we’d spoken, but at least now she has a better understanding of how we’ve ended up here.

Gently as can be, I release her fingers from my wrist.

I stand once more, and this time, when I back away, Hallie doesn’t move to stop me.

I step forward a final time and brush my lips over her forehead. Then I leave the room.

I grab my keys from the kitchen counter and head out to my truck. I sit with my hands on the steering wheel, mind running over all that’s been said this afternoon. I’m half waiting to see if Hallie emerges from my house, half hoping she doesn’t.

A few minutes later, I’ve just kicked the ignition over when my phone rings, automatically connecting to my Bluetooth. When I see it’s Jules calling, I take a steadying breath and answer as I leave my driveway and Hallie behind.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Hallie

“Can you pass me my lipstick?” Erica asks.

She’s standing in front of the small bathroom mirror in little more than her shapewear and powder-blue strappy heels. The whole scene feels a little surreal, mostly because no one tells you that when you purchase a formfitting mermaid-tail wedding dress, the easiest way to pee is to take the whole thing off. This, as it turns out, is exactly why there’s a room set aside specifically for the bridal party.

The other thing that’s surreal? My best friends are now married. They have the paperwork to prove it. I’d signed it as a witness and couldn’t think of a single thing I’d put my name to that I believed in more.

Passing Erica the small makeup bag, I ask, “How are you feeling?”

The ceremony this morning had been beautiful and intimate, with only close friends and family. Their vows, which they wrote themselves, had tears pooling in my eyes, but I’d been able to keep them from falling.

Erica’s smile in the reflection is nothing but blissful. “I’m happy, really happy. And I’m excited to see everyone at the reception. But mostly, I’m looking forward to getting some type of dirty burger with Jules on the way home and collapsing in bed.”

“No wild hotel wedding night, then?” I ask cheekily.

She snorts a small laugh. “Uh, no. I told Jules I had no wish to waste a night in a hotel simply sleeping because after my 4:00 a.m. start this morning, that’s all that’s going to happen.”

“Well, a burger sounds like a brilliant idea to me.”

Washing my hands for the hundredth time today, I dry them completely before reaching for Erica’s dress where it’s hanging on the back of the door.

“You ready?”

“Sure am.”

I hold the dress gingerly as she steps into it, the off-white satin sliding up like a second skin over her thighs and hips. The art-deco-style beading is light on the skirt and gets heavier and more detailed over her stomach and chest before fading out again around the deep V-neck.

Adjusting the straps on her shoulders, I make my way to the back of the dress, grabbing a hand towel for my now-sweating palms, and set myself to tackle the tiny buttons before me.

Erica is quiet while I work, and I remain thankful that the back of her dress is cut low. The thought of a full back of these little hellions sends a shiver of true fear through me.

“How are you feeling?” she asks, gently and ever considerate.

I’m glad to be hidden away from her knowing eyes. “I’m okay.”

And it’s the truth. I am okay.

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