Page 17 of Burly and Obsessed

But is he real? Or just another glimpse that will vanish like a laugh on the wind?

A chime sounds, and the wedding coordinator announces it’s time to take our seats for the ceremony. My friends give me supportive squeezes before rejoining their partners.

“You okay?” Hanna asks.

I take a deep breath, straightening my shoulders. “I will be.”

As I take my seat, I steal one last glance at Ace. He’s still with June, letting her examine his cufflinks with the seriousness of a jeweler appraising diamonds.

Maybe there’s still hope...

* * *

I slideinto my assigned seat in the second row, sandwiched between Olivia and a family I vaguely recognize from Jax’s crew cookouts.

The string quartet transitions to a new melody as the last guests find their seats. The officiant takes his position under the flower arch. June, once again calm and happy, stands patiently by the door as the wedding party walks down the aisle and up to the altar, led by Hank as best man.

Ace in a suit takes my breath away. In a suit, he’s transformed from the rough and tumble man I know to a man whose portrait belongs in a museum. The formal clothes accentuate his broad shoulders and the clean lines of his jaw.

Jax stands at the altar, rocking slightly on his heels. I’ve never seen my brother look nervous before. His eyes scan the crowd, landing on me briefly with a small smile before focusing on the aisle entrance.

Behind him, the groomsmen arrange themselves in a neat line. When my gaze finds Ace, an electric jolt of desire lights up my body and my heart forgets that I’m mad at him. Flustered, I quickly look down at my program, heart hammering against my ribs.

A collective murmur ripples through the crowd as Leesa appears at the end of the aisle, radiant in her gown. Olivia squeezes my hand as we watch June walk ahead of Leesa with surprising poise, scattering rose petals with the gravity of someone performing sacred duty.

“She’s doing great,” Olivia whispers, gripping my hand tightly.

As Leesa reaches Jax, the transformation in my brother’s face steals my breath. The adoration and tenderness in his eyes make my eyes sting.

The ceremony flows with moments of laughter and solemnity. When they exchange vows, Jax’s voice carries across the gathering.

“Leesa, before you, I thought strength meant standing alone. You taught me that real strength comes from standing together. I will stand by your side for the rest of our lives.” My brother’s voice chokes, and his expression reveals more than I’ve seen since we were kids. I love that he found love, and I love Leesa for giving him such joy.

Leesa responds with equal emotion. “With you, I’ve learned what true, enduring love is. I will be your partner in all ways, to face whatever comes.”

A tear slides down my cheek before I can stop it, and Olivia takes my hand and holds it tightly.

The officiant’s voice rises. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Jax cups Leesa’s face with profound tenderness and gives her an intense, passionate kiss. The crowd erupts in applause.

I stand with everyone else, clapping until my palms sting, genuinely happy despite the ache in my chest.

As the newlyweds process down the aisle, I catch Ace watching me from across the way. The intensity in his gaze pins me in place. For a moment, the crowd fades, and it’s just the two of us looking at each other across an impossible distance.

“Andrea?” Olivia nudges me. “We should get a move on.”

I turn away, focusing on following the crowd toward the front of the church. June tugs at my hand, chattering about her upcoming dance with Uncle Jax.

The simple realization forms as I watch my brother and his wife greeting guests. I want that kind of love—open, brave, supportive. I deserve someone who stands beside me publicly, who fights for our relationship rather than hiding it.

Maybe that person is Ace.

Maybe it’s someone I haven’t met yet.

Either way, I won’t accept less than what I just witnessed—a partnership built on respect and courage.

“You okay?” Olivia asks as we head to the front of the church and parking lot, so we can go to the reception hall at the VA Center.

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