Page 65 of Force Play
The officiant moves through the rest of the ceremony now. Harlow and Knox recite what he asks them to and exchange their rings and ‘I do’s.’ And when he officially announces them as husband and wife, Knox smiles so wide that it would hurt his face if he were feeling anything but love right now. He swoops Harlow in for a kiss, and the crowd claps and cheers for the happy couple.
The recessional starts whenFearlessstarts playing, and I let a small laugh escape because that song is just soHarlow.
Knox and Harlow make their way out of the room while the rest of us follow behind them. I link arms with Ari, and we walk down the aisle happily.
And in my happiness, I forget all about seeing Matt and Anna.
Until I catch his gaze as we’re walking out of the room.
I don’t know what they’re doing here, but I have to just pretend they don’t exist.
I won’t ruin this wedding by acknowledging their presence.
Harlow and Knox deserve a day of nothing but love and happiness, and I won’t do anything to take that away from them.
twenty-one
Lucia
IkeepeverythingI’mfeeling right now to myself. Harlow hasn’t noticed that Matt is here, and I never even told her who Anna is. It’s better that she remains in the dark so she doesn’t fixate on that.
The bridal party sits at our table at the front of the ballroom, watching as Knox twirls Harlow around to yet another Taylor Swift song—this timeYou Are In Love—during their first dance. I don’t think either of them has stopped smiling since they said I do.
I still can’t stop myself from looking out into the crowd, though. I spot Matt and Anna together at a table near the back. I don’t recognize anybody sitting with them, so I’m still not sure how they ended up with an invitation. I’ll just ask Harlow about it after her honeymoon.
When the first dance ends, Harlow and Knox turn to all of us.
“Come here,” Harlow smiles. “We’re sharing a dance with our friends.”
“All of you,” Knox adds.
I sigh, stand up, and walk out to the dance floor. When the song that starts playing is slow—the wedding version ofOrdinaryby Alex Warren—I watch as the rest of our friends couple up and dance with their partners.
Which leaves me to dance with Ari.
“Guess you’re with me, Spitfire,” he chuckles, and I force a smile in return. Ari takes one of my hands in his and rests the other on my hip, and I place my free hand on his shoulder. We start swaying along to the music, but my mind is still somewhere else. “You look nice tonight, Lucia.”
“Hm?” I say, snapping back into reality. “Oh, um, thanks, Ari. You look nice as well.”
He eyes me curiously before pulling me closer to him so he can whisper in my ear. “Are you okay? You seem a little off tonight.”
“Not really,” I whisper back. “Have you noticed anyone here tonight?”
“Should I have?”
I let out a deep breath. “Matt is here.WithAnna.”
“What?!” he yells in a hushed tone. “Why are they here?”
“I have no idea,” I admit. “I never told Harlow about Anna, so I’m thinkingshe’sthe one who was invited, and Matt is her plus one. She wouldn’t have thought anything of the names since they’re so common, and she would’ve told me if she knew who they were.”
“Look at me, Lucia.” I lean my head back and look at Ari, losing a bit of myself in the depths of his deep brown eyes. “Don’t focus on them tonight. Two of our best friends just got married, so try to keep your focus on them.”
“I’m trying,” I reply, unable to tear my gaze away from him. “I’m hoping Harlow doesn’t notice him here. I know everyone else will see, but that’s fine. They all know I won’t let him bother me.”
Ari looks at me sympathetically. “He clearly is bothering you, though.”
“No,” I shake my head. “I’m not bothered by the presence of a cheating dickwad.”
