Page 14 of Never Sleep with the Enemy

When they reach the front, Jonah steps forward again, arms wide, to pull them into a brotherly embrace. He adores those boys as much as they adore him.

Knox takes the rings, and the two boys turn around, guided by Harvey to their seats in the front row with Milly. Harvey slips into the pew behind them, settling next to August, Chrissy, and Harmony, who snatches the golden handkerchief from his front pocket to dab her already glistening eyes.

The next moment is met with adoring gasps as little Michelle Botsford, Ira and Veronica’s daughter, enters. She’s a vision in her tiny blue and gold dress, her basket of colorful flower petals in hand. At only four years old, she’s escorted by her nanny, Derrick. He gives her the space to do her important job while staying close enough to whisper, reminding her not to drop too many petals in one place—just like they practiced.

I steal a glance at Ira up front, his bearded face grinning with pride. As Michelle reaches the front, her basket now empty, Jonah and Ira kneel before her. They hug her, praising her for doing such a great job before Derrick guides her away. They quickly take their seats next to Milly and the twins—the two of them more than qualified to wrangle all three of the kids together.

Then, Jonah stands tall at the altar, and a moment of quiet calm settles over the chapel.

As we practiced, Addison and I exchange a look. She gives a subtle nod, and we count down the beats together. At the perfect moment, we seamlessly shift the music to the next song.

Here Comes the Bride.

Everyone rises and turns to face the double doors as they swing open once again.

On Marla.

She stands in the doorway in her white dress, a perfect vision of elegance. Oliver stands beside her, gently cradling one of her arms while she clutches a bouquet of dark blue roses in the other.

For a moment, time stills. No one moves.

Jonah inhales sharply, his mouth slackening as Marla takes her first trembling steps forward. Knox places a steady hand on his shoulder, but it does little to ease the shimmer of tears in Jonah’s eyes.

Even my romance novel-loving heart lurches at the sight. To be apart for so long, to finally see each other again like this—it’s a raw, beautiful thing. I can only imagine the flood of emotion they must be feeling, how the love between them is practically bursting in the air.

My fingers tremble slightly. I sit straighter on my stool, focusing all my energy on the task at hand, not missing a note. The music fills the chapel; the melody flowing like a river as Marla and Oliver move forward, their steps stretching out like a dream. He gives her hand a reassuring squeeze, her cheeks already wet with tears, visible through the veil.

Unable to remain still a second longer, Jonah steps forward to meet her before she reaches the altar. Marla breaks away from Oliver’s steady hands and rushes into his open arms, almost collapsing into him, inspiring a wave of shouts and applause throughout the chapel.

Oliver takes his time catching up, not wanting to interrupt the moment. When he finally arrives, he rests a gentle hand on Jonah’s shoulder. Jonah lifts his head, but his arms stay locked around Marla, unwilling to let her go just yet. She chuckles softly, her words lost beneath the music, but whatever she says makes him smile. He nods and reluctantly releases her, shifting back with her to stand together.

Oliver steps in, straightening Jonah’s lapel and adjusting Marla’s crumpled veil with careful hands. Jonah and Marla mouth their thanks, and he flashes them a perfect smile before stepping back to stand with the groomsmen.

Together, Jonah and Marla approach the altar. Addison gives me another nudging look, and with an easy nod, we seamlessly transition into the final notes of the song. The sound lingers in the air, echoing softly as we place our instruments back on their stands.

We scoop up the flower bouquets sitting beside them and walk to join the other bridesmaids.

I stand last in line, far from the happy couple, and hold my breath.

“Dearly beloved,” Stella begins, her authoritative voice carrying through the room. “Friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Marla Gorchinsky and Jonah Botsford.”

I go numb.

Love.

Honor.

Cherish.

It hurts. It really hurts.

Still, I watch, feeling the weight of it all more deeply than I expected. I knew this moment would come. I’ve known for so long. I helped plan it, I kept my promises, and tried to stifle the hope inside me that maybe—just maybe—something would change. That Jonah would look up, see me, really see me. Not just his best friend’s little sister, not the silly, broken girl who needed saving, who needed help setting up a bank account and buying her own clothes after running away from the only home she ever knew.

The girl who didn’t know how to do anything. Not even kiss.

Until the night she asked her brother’s best friend to teach her how.

But a kiss is just a kiss.

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