Page 83 of Four Weddings to Fall in Love
The way he said “I love you” when he thought I was sleeping.
But when I replay those words in my mind now, my skin chills despite the warm weather.I’m not ready for this.
Seriously, what the hell am I doing?I swore off relationships for a good reason, and then I ignored my own rules.
I’m in too deep now.I let him wreck me with pleasure; I let him destroy my defenses with his serious thoughtfulness.
“Are you okay?”Max murmurs, handing me a tissue.
Shit, there are tears streaking my face.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I say automatically as everyone takes a seat.Why does he have to be so damn kind?
I look forward, and I can’t help the words that are running through my head.
Don’t marry him.Don’t do it.Don’t do it.
I’m not sure whether it’s for myself or for Yvonne.
“We are gathered here today…” the minister begins.
And then Yvonne bolts.
Chapter 31
Max
AsYvonnehurriesupthe aisle, a collective gasp goes up through the room.In the front row, Auntie Gladys shrieks and collapses into my uncle’s arms.
This is the first time I’ve been to a wedding with a runaway bride.
“Holy shit,” Aaron whispers behind me.
Jon seems amused, chuckling under his breath.Figures.Evan looks concerned.Leo is still dealing with his speeding ticket, I guess.He has yet to make an appearance.
And me?I’m thinking about Kim doing this.
We haven’t been together for long; it’s too soon to think about getting married, no matter what her mother says.But that’s what I want, one day, and I love her.
I want it to be her, this woman who doesn’t view me simply as an appropriate guy her parents would approve of.This bold, beautiful woman who’s clear about her wants and needs, who crackles with energy and life.
And, unfortunately, I can imagine her bolting.
I would be devastated.
She probably wouldn’t do it at the wedding—Kim wouldn’t get that far.She told me that she had serious doubts about relationships, yet I still asked her out.
Was I foolish to think it could ever work?
I want to wipe the tears from her face, but I know she won’t allow that intimacy right now, and I can’t help feeling like those tears have something to do with me.
I don’t know how to reassure her, but I want to.I want her to know that I will do everything I can to make her happy—as long as she doesn’t want there to be more distance between me and my family.I know she’s had issues with partners’ families in the past, but as long as mine is good to her, she wouldn’t make me do that, would she?
I don’t think so, but…
It’s silly to be more concerned about Kim leaving me than what’s happening in front of my eyes.My cousin has been left at the altar.His groomsmen slap him on the back and murmur words of…I don’t know what.
Yvonne’s bridesmaids are still at the front of the church, talking amongst themselves.None of them make a move to follow her, which strikes me as odd.Surely one of them would want to go to her now?
