Page 79 of Love, Hate, Love

I walked overand took a seat beside my brother in the farthest corner of the tent as everyone waited for the wedding procession to begin.

“You see Leah?” I asked.

“Yeah, and then I saw her stepfather trying to corner her,” Alec said, and gave me a side glance. “Don’t get all worked up. I was watching.”

“What did he do?”

“Nothing much. He was trying to talk to her, but she didn’t seem to want any part of it. He might have pushed the issue, but he noticed me and let her be.”

I wanted to break out laughing then and there. No way was that just a glance. “You just looked at him and he stopped?”

“I might’ve made a cutting motion across my neck as I stared.”

“Oh, well, if that’s all.”

“Here they come.”

The music picked up and slowly the wedding party began to make their way out of the house and down the curving slate walkway that had been installed just for this event. It led right to the tent. Once the tent was gone, I’d have a path to nowhere, but I’d figure that out later. I couldn’t think of anything beyond the moment I spotted Leah walking across the field.

It was a good thing I’d decided to take the seat next to Alec, because I’d never be able to stay upright otherwise. Leah was always beautiful, even without a stitch of makeup and in worn-out jeans. It might’ve been my favorite way to see her, with her hair all tousled and pulled up into a messy ponytail.

But her walking across the field in that dress, the way it shimmered and followed the lines of her body, her hair falling in smooth waves… I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen a more beautiful woman in my life.

I was going to have to throw an extra hundred into Cassie’s wedding gift to show my appreciation.

“Whoa,” Alec said. “She sure does look fucking?—”

I elbowed him, afraid of what would come out next.

“—festive. She looksfestive, is what I was going to say, so no need to act the barbarian.”

I shushed him, continuing to watch only her as she walked closer, my eyes staying on her even when the bride made her arrival. For the first time in my life, I wondered what it would be like to be the man waiting at the altar. To be the man getting married.

There was no denying it anymore. I fucking loved Leah. I’d probably always loved her and there was no getting away from it. She could’ve stolen that painting and murdered five people in the process and I wasn’t sure it would make a damned bit of difference.

“Oh shit,” Alec said, looking at me. “You’re cooked, aren’t you?”

I let out a pathetic sigh. “I’m not just cooked, I’m charcoaled.”

“Then you gotta just roll with it. No other choice.” He shrugged.

I wasn’t sure that was an option. Love wasn’t a single-player game, and she might not be interested. I certainly hadn’t helped my case.

And how was I going to make it through the night without killing her stepfather?

Chapter36

Kade

“Where’s Leah?Her ex is here,” Alec said, scanning the heads at the reception, which was in full swing.

I had no idea where she’d gone. I was seated so far away from her at dinner that I’d barely seen the top of her head. Hosting her wedding might’ve meant all my workers got an invite, but our table was barely even in the tent.

“I’m surprised Cassie invited him. And how do you know all this?” I asked.

“He came as someone’s date. Leah’s mom filled me when I was feeding her shots.”

“You were feeding her shots? Please tell me that you’re not serious about banging her.”

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