Page 108 of When You Were Mine

“You’re such a show-off.”But you know what?She appreciated his help so much.

“Can you think of another way to get us home in time for the wedding?”

“No, sir. I cannot.”

“Good.” He smacked her bottom. “I’m going to get in the shower.” He pulled out a new pair of boxers and headed into the bathroom. When he glanced over his shoulder to find her staring at his tight, round ass, he said, “You’ve got a little”—he flicked a finger at the corner of his mouth—“drool right there.”

She smiled, drunk with love. But instead of joining him right away, she stood there for a moment, letting it sink in.

Two pillows smushed from use.

Sheets pulled out from their tuck under the mattress.

Two pairs of pants on the floor.

A partner to problem-solve with.

A plus one.

Holy shit.

We’re back.

She and Trevor were together again.It’s real. And it struck her. That deep-rooted sense of loneliness that lived inside her—even when she was surrounded by the people she loved—was gone. She was whole again.

Was she scared?Sure. Of course. But time would fully heal her. Every minute of every day, they would prove themselves to each other.

And just knowing that was such a huge relief.

Okay, let’s get going. She needed to make sure the wedding wasn’t postponed, so she grabbed her phone and left a voice message for her sister.

It was then she noticed a message from someone she didn’t recognize.

Hey, this is Uncle Charlie. Jackson’s dad’s brother. I sat across from you at the rehearsal dinner. I tried to talk to you, but you were busy.

She remembered the groom’s elderly uncle, but she didn’t recall him trying to get her attention. She’d been in hostess mode, meeting Jackson’s extended family and taking care of her own.

Forgive an old coot for poking his nose where it doesn’t belong, but?—

Okay, he was cute. She settled in to read the rest of his message.

I heard some talk during the rehearsal. Some jokes were made about two women walking the bride down the aisle. I just thought you should know in case you wanted to back out.

Back out? What does he mean?A rustle of anxiety had her skimming the rest of his text to get to this point.

We all want the same thing, right? We want everyone’s focus on the bride and groom—and not distracted by silly thoughts from the one or two knuckleheads in the room.

A sickening churn in her stomachhad her moving to the window. She wouldn’t do anything to ruin her niece’s wedding. Of course, she didn’t want anyone distracted. But what would they be thinking? What was wrong with her walking Bri down the aisle?

It’s up to you, of course. But I wanted to bring it up in case you didn’t want to draw negative attention.

What?Her first impulse was to reach out to her sister, but the wedding was that night, and she didn’t want to stir up drama.

Jessica: Hi, Charlie. I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to talk, but I’ll be sure to spend time with you at the wedding. I hope you know it wasn’t my idea to walk with her. It was Bri’s, and I’m honored to fulfill her wishes.

Oh, hey. Thank you for getting back to me. Like I said, I’m an old man sticking his nose in where it doesn’t belong. I just know if it were me, I’d want to know if what I thought was an honor, someone else considered a pity gesture.

A chill crept into her heart.Pity gesture?The very idea shoved her from that warm, special place of being embraced by family out into the freezing cold.

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