Page 113 of When You Were Mine

Forget him.

She’d made the right choice in sitting this one out. They wouldn’t have to address it or try to make her feel better. She knew she was important to them. She knew they loved her.

She just wasn’t the mother. She was the aunt.

Trust me, I get it.

Even more importantly, she didn’t want any other thought in the guests’ minds than,The bride’s absolutely radiant.

The wedding planner, Stella Cavanaugh—one of the first business owners Jessica had contacted in the hopes of booking weddings and honeymoons in her resort—hustled down the aisle toward her. “Hey, hon. We’re about ready to get started.”

Jess had expected this. She’d prepared her response. “You know, this is a special moment between a mother and a daughter.” She kept her demeanor pleasant. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing, so I’m going to let them have their time together.”

Stella let out a breath and sat down beside her. “Uncle Charlie got to you, huh?”

Jess was horrified that the old man had discussed it publicly.

The wedding planner picked up her embarrassment because she set a hand on Jess’s arm. “He brought it up at the rehearsal, and I promise you, everyone thought he was being ridiculous. I’m guessing, since he got no traction, he reached out to you privately?”

“He did, and that’s exactly why I’m going to step back. He’s planted a seed in people’s minds, and I don’t want anything to ruin Bri’s day. Let’s just keep it traditional.”

“Bri put a lot of thought into every aspect of this wedding. You know what I mean? She planned it out carefully. If she wanted traditional, that’s what she’d have done.”

Fair point.“I hear you, but let’s not make it a big deal. Let her mom walk her down the aisle, and let me sit here and watch. Okay?”

Stella gave a reluctant nod. Then, she squeezed Jess’s arm and got up. “All right, then. It’s go-time.”

A few moments later, the seats filled up around her. Excitement shimmered in the air. Jess tried with all her might to stay just above the pain level. But she couldn’t do it. She just couldn’t. Sorrow rushed in, bowling over everything in its path.

She’d long ago accepted living a solo life. She loved her family—loved herrolein her family. Nothing made her happier than seeing her sisters, nieces, and nephews live their best lives.

And I’m living mine.

If she hadn’t had two and a half days with Trevor Montgomery, she’d be fine.

But she’d had that time with him. She’d basked in his adoration. Her body sang at his touch.

With her whole heart, she believed he loved her.

He just couldn’t undo the programming he’d learned as a child.

And that was nothing she could fix.

But one thing was true. She could say it to herself, even if she couldn’t tell him.

I love him.

I love him with everything I am.

And maybe one day, he’d get his shit together.

See that?There was still hope.

A murmur rippled through the congregation. Clothing swished as people turned in their seats, and people started whispering.

“Brianna, would you stop?” Kelly asked in a harsh whisper. “No one’s supposed to see you yet.”

Jess turned around in her seat. Her niece hustled down the aisle in all her bridal regalia. She thrust her bouquet at her other aunt and stared at Jessica wild-eyed. “Did I not plan every detail of this damn wedding?”

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