Page 115 of Wanted

“How is he?” My throat tightens a little.

Bree flicks her gaze to Jude before returning it to mine. “He’s okay. Corjan says he’s a little withdrawn. He’s working through it.” She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

Aiden hasn’t quite been his usual self since the incident. He was lucky, we both were, that nothing major was hit, but it’s hard not to notice how his smiles look a little more fake each time I see him.

“I hope he’s okay.” I can’t quite keep the guilt from my tone.

Jude squeezes my shoulder.

“If he isn’t, he will be. He has us all to lean on.” Bree’s smile wobbles. She claps her hands. “Anyway! Once he’s here, we’ll get started.”

I tilt my chin over my shoulder. “I guess we should head down.”

His hand settles warmly on the small of my back, urging me ahead of him.

We part for the ceremony. While Jude stands beside his twin brother, I sit in the row of chairs. Aiden sneaks in ten minutes late and slides into the chair on my right.

“Hey,” I whisper as the music starts up.

“Hey.” The corners of his mouth tip up. As time goes on, he reminds me more of the Jude I first met. Day by day, he’s building his walls.

“Glad you made it.”

He drapes his arm loosely over the back of my chair, keeping his eyes trained on the front. He twists the ends of a lock of my hair, then drops it.

“Almost didn’t,” he admits. “Couldn’t let my family down.”

Juniper sweeps down the white fabric aisle in a peachy-pink dress and stands to the left of the archway.

I open my mouth to respond, but the music grows louder, and Whitney descends the stairs from the deck. The white dress swirls around her ankles and showcases her adorable baby bump.

The ceremony is quick, with a few laughs, tears, and heartfelt vows. Before I know it, Jack and Whitney are kissing in front of their family and floating back down the aisle.

Jude doesn’t bother with the march. He appears at my side a moment later.

“Mind if I steal my girl?”

Aiden steps back. “She’s all yours.” He tucks his hands in his pockets and walks away.

I tilt my chin to Jude. “I’m worried about him.”

“I know.” He leans down and kisses me. “We’ll keep an eye on him.”

“Did you need me for something?”

“Come with me.” Jude slips his warm hand in mine and pulls me away from my seat.

We make the short trek back down the aisle until we’re standing beneath the flower arch. Jude sends me into a twirl, and I giggle as the yard spins in my vision. He tugs me back into his chest, and I come to a stop with my palms against his pecs.

The song “Nothing New” by Brandon Lake streams through the Bluetooth speakers Jack had set up. Jude moves us into a slow dance, and my heart begins a wild flutter in my chest as he begins to sing those three little words of the chorus in my ear.

The sound of his deep, rough tone wrapping around lyrics in such an intimate way has tears pricking the corners of my eyes.

And before I can get a hold on it, he sinks to a knee on the ground.

“Oh my god.”

Jude smiles at me with the most beautiful look I’ve ever seen on his face. He takes my left hand in his and pulls a ring from his breast pocket.

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