Page 80 of Before You Say I Do
Then the driver held out a hand and Abby climbed out, her elegant wedding dress embracing her with some style.
Jordan gulped.
Abby was beyond beautiful. Also about to marry someone else. Maybe she still would. It didn’t mean Jordan shouldn’t do this. She strode over to Abby, just as the photographer, Heidi, appeared beside her, directing Abby to pose in front of the car. Jordan recognised Heidi from previous weddings she’d been a part of.
“Abby,” Jordan said.
Abby turned, emitting an audible gasp as she saw her. “Jordan,” she began.
She could listen to Abby say her name all day long.
“Before you start having photos taken, can I say something?”
Abby gave her a confused look, before nodding. “Okay.” Her tone was quizzical. She turned to Heidi. “Can you give us two minutes?”
Heidi checked her watch. “We really need to get these shots done.”
“It wasn’t a question,” Abby replied, steel to her tone.
Heidi stepped back, nodding.
“Abby.” Delta appeared beside her. “You don’t have to do this.”
Abby’s eyes hardened. “Yes, I do.” She glared at her maid of honour. “This isn’t your decision, Delta.”
Jordan held her breath.
Delta held out her hand. “At least give me your flowers.”
Abby handed them over.
Now it really was show time.
Jordan took a deep breath, shoulders back, just as she’d practised. Only, being on this pavement with an audience close by was putting more pressure on her. She tried to keep her body still even though every inch of her was shaking. Could she get her words out?
She had to. There was no other choice.
“I’m sorry to do this so late in the proceedings.” That wasn’t what she’d practised. She scanned her mind for the script she’d rehearsed. It was there, she just had to focus and reach for it. “But I can’t let you marry Marcus without saying something.” Jordan gazed into Abby’s eyes, taking in her stunning cheekbones, her just-so hair. She was heart-stoppingly beautiful.
If this didn’t go Jordan’s way, her heart might well stop.
“Over the past few weeks, it’s been equal parts amazing and excruciating working with you. Amazing because I got to know you and the gorgeous person you are. Excruciating because you were marrying someone else.”
Abby blinked. She was listening. She hadn’t run.
“Because of that, I consigned us to the box markedwrong time, wrong place. I resolved to be the best professional bridesmaid I could be. To smile through the pain. To get you to the altar as I promised, and then get over you. I was doing well until we went away. Until we kissed. Until my feelings demanded to be let out of the box.” Jordan closed her eyes as a nervous warmth spread through her. When she reopened them, Abby was staring at her lips.
“After that, all bets were off. As I told you, I don’t do this.” She circled the space in front of them with her right hand. “I don’t get involved with people, full stop, but certainly not my clients. But from the moment we met, there was something there. The more I got to know you, the more I wanted to know you. You’re special, Abby. You’ve taken up room in my heart. So I couldn’t let you do this today without seeing if you felt the same.”
Jordan stepped forward, and took Abby’s hand.
Just that small action felt so daring.
Daring, but also,so right.
Desire slid down her like warm honey.
Abby’s hand shook. Jordan couldn’t remember a word of her speech now. She was going to have to do this from the heart.
