Page 80 of The Masks We Burn

My eyes nearly bulge from their sockets, my hand coming up to cover my mouth.

Spencer’s face instantly pinches, and I know he’s fighting the urge to run a hand through his hair. “You didn’t!”

I grab the small box from my pocket and laugh. “You really think so little of me?”

He shoves me just enough to make me shuffle back, bumping into a smirking Blaze. “You’d forget you had a left hand if you didn’t use it every night.”

This has me barking with laughter, my chest jumping as I catch my breath. “Touché.”

The soft melody playing through the trees pauses and Blaze turns around, fixing his watch with a grin I don’t think I’ve ever seen. “It’s time, Hanes.”

Spencer smiles and gets into place at the front of the line. “Let’s go.”

The wedding planner stands at the edge of the clearing where the aisle begins, between us and the ladies on the opposing side. Both sides are in the trees behind the ceremony area, hidden from view in the dense forest.

After the minister walks down the aisle, she sends Spencer. Another thirty seconds pass, before she begins having the groomsmen and bridesmaid match up and follow behind.

When it’s Blaze’s turn, my nerves start to tingle, my stomach growing hard with wondering what’s about to happen. Amora and I haven’t talked to each other since our falling out, and I’m positive she may still hold a grudge.

She held one for five years before, and that’s when we were just strangers.

Finally, Blaze shifts, turning to meet Remy who is smiling so damn big her cheeks are nearly closing her eyes.

And then, it’s just me and Amora.

My pulse throttles through my veins, but I keep my face as calm as I can. Her blues stare everywhere but at me until finally the planner signals for us to meet, connect, and walk.

Her bottom lip disappears between her teeth before finally she looks at me, taking a step forward. Not an ounce of her demeanor is out of place, her arched brows slightly furrowed like they always are, her chin high and her shoulders straight. She doesn’t seem either mad or happy to see me.

It’s as if we’re strangers.

As if at one time, she wasn’t completely and utterly mine, no matter how temporary.

Amora can act indifferent all she wants, but my heart speaks my truth as soon as we touch, beating so hard through my body I know she feels it in the crease of my elbow. If she notices, I wouldn’t know since not a hair falls out of place when we take our first step down the aisle.

I clear my throat, trying my best to ignore the frail pieces of my tattered soul trying to mend from just being in her presence and instead admire the love story unfolding around me.

Rows of white wooden chairs sit on the emptied forest floor, lanterns at the end of each one. It’s simple but beautiful, the tall hundred-foot trees setting the scene in a fairy-tale way. But my favorite has to be the raised platform where Spencer stands, waiting for his bride. Behind him is a twelve-foot golden ring, and attached to one side are thousands of white and dark burgundy flowers with bits of something green. On one side they’re clustered and as they go around the hoop they become less, dwindling to nothing.

A statement piece I realize matches the bouquet in Amora’s hands. When I decide to give in to my body’s need to see her and chance a look, it’s time to separate.

Fuck.

No, fuck it.

When she pulls her hand through mine, I tug her fingers, forcing her to gaze at me just one last time. I need her to know that I’m here.Still.

Just in case.

Her lashes flutter, and her brows curve up, and for one fucking second, I see the girl under the mask.

And a second was all I needed.

Before I can processanything that just happened with William holding on to me when we got to the platform, Lily’s music to walk down the aisle fills the area.

Unlike everyone who stands and only looks at the bride, I stare at Spencer. Through his eyes, I see the moment she breaks into the clearing.

Spencer sucks in a sharp stuttered breath, and his lids flutter as he takes her in. A satisfied smile tugs on my lips the moment a lone tear falls from his eye. I let my gaze return to watch my best friend make her walk.

---