Page 112 of When You Were Mine

“I know your heart. And I wouldn’t listen to a word that troll says.”

Fortunately, the line wasn’t too long because their flight was about to start boarding.I’m going to make it home in time. “You’re right. I know you are. But the thing is, I don’t want to draw attention away from the bride and groom. I don’t want people wondering why I’m walking her down the aisle instead of thinking how beautiful Bri looks.” Which pretty much decided it for her. She’d take her seat and give Amber the honor.

Just as she set her toiletry bag in the bin, Trevor’s phone buzzed. His brow furrowed when he saw who was calling. “Hey, Lisa. What’s up?” He listened for a moment, features tensing. “Well, I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.” Whoever was talking spoke so sternly that he held up his finger to Jessica and gestured for the person behind him to take his place. “Hang on. I filmed my scenes. I met my contractual obligations. It’s not my problem if their budget runs out on the thirty-first. I’m not giving upmyholiday because of their screwup. You understand?”

Good for him. He’s taking a stand.She stepped out of line, too, while he handled the situation.

“Oh, hey, Joe.” He mouthed, “My lawyer”to her and then crossed an arm over his chest and listened.

She checked her phone.Shoot.They’d miss their flight if they didn’t go right now. Not even for Trevor Montgomery would a plane keep its doors open.

With each second that passed, he grew angrier. “If the franchise is ruined, it’s not on me. I did my part, and now, it’s done. I’m done.”

An uneasy feeling slid through her. They knew him. Knew just how to push his buttons.

She could hear his lawyer’s exercised voice talking a mile a minute and watched as Trevor grew more agitated. His jaw clamped shut, and he angled his body away from her. “Then, I guess I’ll have to do it.”

And that was the moment she knew why she hadn’t told him she loved him.

Because at the back of her mind, a question hovered. Sure, he loved her. No question, he wanted her.

But had he changed the fundamental part that had driven him out of the motel room thirty years ago? When it came down to it, he wasn’t built to put her first.

Because he’d never put his own happiness first. The lesson from his parents was too deeply and firmly entrenched.

Fuck it.She wasn’t missing her niece’s wedding over this man’s issues. She put her belongings on the conveyor belt, passed through security, and race-walked to her gate.

She didn’t bother looking back.

These days, she only looked forward.

Chapter Seventeen

Oh,God, it hurt. It hurt so badly.

Screw closure. No, seriously, it would’ve been better to never see him again than to relive her elopement day.

She knew he was a product of his upbringing. She’d come to terms with the fact that his happiness came last. What did she think would happen?

No, really, what did you think would happen?

Which line shouldn’t she have crossed? Was it that first kiss? No, the northern lights. She should’ve ignored his texts. If she’d stayed in her hotel room that night, they wouldn’t have made love, and she wouldn’t have believed they had a chance.

She wished she hadn’t let him touch her, kiss her, devour her. It wasn’t fair to have something so good ripped away.

Twice.

But she wasn’t going to wallow. She’d done enough of that thirty years ago. She was going to be present for her niece’s wedding.

She sat alone in the first pew of her resort’s cozy chapel. She’d built it to give her guests a quiet, reverent space and to host the occasional wedding. Moonlight slanted through the stained-glass windows and dozens of white votive candles flickered on the altar. At the end of each row, a spray of gardenias offered a romantic scent.

She hadn’t told Amber or Bri about the change in plans. To do so would require turning on her phone. And sorry, but she didn’t want to see Trevor’s pleas or excuses or anything he’d say to justify his choices.

There’s nothing new there.

Contractually, he was obligated to reshoot scenes from his movie. Sure, she got it. But he could’ve put his foot down. He could’ve told them they were being unreasonable.

He could’ve put us first.But he just wasn’t wired that way.

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