Page 104 of The Other Fork in the Road

I finally made it to the front of the church before Zoey and then Daisy came down the aisle. Daisy was bursting with happiness, smiling ear to ear.

They exchanged vows they had written themselves, truly heartfelt and sweet. I peeked over at Jax to find him staring back at me. No grin at that moment. His look was different and a little more intense. I smiled, but his stare remained unwavering. I couldn’t pull my eyes away and wondered what was going through his mind.

Once the “I Do’s” were complete, the church burst into applause when my dad kissed Daisy and then escorted her toward the back of the church. Jax walked to me and extended his arm. I smiled bashfully, placing my hand in the crook of his arm.

* * *

One of the sucky jobs of us bridesmaids was that we had to haul all the flowers from the church to the reception. Jax pulled his truck up to the back of the church, joining Austin, Zoey, and me, as we loaded them in the back.

“I think that’s it.” Austin looked over at Zoey. “Want to ride with me?”

Zoey cocked a challenging brow. “Depends. Are you worth the ride?”

Could I ever get away with strangling my sister in a church? Come on, Zoey!

Austin laughed as they exited, and for some reason, my face burned at her crude innuendo. Jax, on the other hand, appeared greatly amused by their banter.

“Must be something in the air, making Zoey, umm, fall off her rocker.” I didn’t want him to think my sis was a ho on the regular.

We got in the truck, and he started it up.

“You’re amazing, Madison,” Jax said quietly. He took a deep breath. “No matter what you decide, I want you to know that.”

I couldn’t make the smile on my face go away. I tried to bite the insides of my cheeks, but no luck.

The reception was at a pretty hotel, and once we brought all the flowers inside, we joined my dad and Daisy at the head table. After dinner and toasts by the two best men, the DJ started to hit the music.

I finished my second or maybe third glass of wine, when Jax saw me chair-dancing before I had a chance to stop.

“Look at you go,” he chuckled.

“Sorry, I’m just one of those people who love wedding receptions. I love them from Apple Bottom Jeans and AC/DC to the YMCA and anything by Taylor.” I shrugged. “I’m not a great dancer, but I normally chug a few glasses of wine and shake my money maker until the lights come on.”

“I like the way you roll.”

Austin and Zoey joined us at the table, talking quietly between themselves. Jax grabbed my legs under the table and put my feet in his lap, concealed by the long tablecloth. He raised his eyebrows, slipping off one of my shoes and started the best foot rub EVER. Almost orgasmic, those hands. I mean, wow.

Jax leaned back and talked to Austin while he continued my incredible foot massage. I looked over to see a beautiful woman, wearing a sleeveless cocktail dress, standing next to our table with a smile on her face. She had long, thick blond hair and looked super fit. I imagined she could hold a plank for like an hour.

Her arms were super cut. They were the exact arms I promised myself every New Year’s Eve I would attain, and after going to the gym and hitting weights for about a week, I’d throw in the towel. She was a reminder of my failed-arm dreams.

She cleared her throat and looked towards Austin and Jax.

Austin did a double take. “Holy shit.”

Jax saw her and looked as if he’d seen a ghost. He stood up quickly, and my feet dropped to the floor with a thud. It did not feel good.

I looked back at her, and she lifted her left hand up.

“Yes, I’ll marry you, Jax.”

Jax appeared as stunned as I felt. I looked at the ring on her perfectly manicured hand, the cut and clarity about as perfect as the woman who was wearing it.

He took a step towards her. “What are you doing, Abby?”

I wanted to jump up and echo Jax.Yeah, what are you doing, Abby?

Okay, calm down. So, the fitness freak was Abby. Abby was the run-away fiancé, who had apparently just returned. Right then, at the wedding reception. Remain calm! The stunning woman next to me was back to make her claim on Jax.Inhale, exhale. I cannot calm down.

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