Page 24 of Until I Own You

He watches from the top of the aisle. Eyes glued to me. Unapologetic. Not trying to hide. The tension remains in his body, in his hands folded in front of him, wringing.

Why? Because I’m of me on the arm of a man?

I know he thinks Dory will chew me up and spit me out, but why can’t he just relax? Just because another man is touching me doesn’t mean he’s going to–

For one fleeting second, as my mind gets away from me, I concede maybe Seth is right to worry about me. But before memory lane takes me down hurtful paths, I shut it down.

As Dory and I arrive at the top of the aisle, he relaxes his arm, lets me step away. “Until we meet again, Bridget.”

He’s too charming for his own good.

I try to reply, but I’m distracted by Seth behind him.

Yes, his body language makes him look angry. But his expression is…is that hurt?

I would call Seth many things. Temperamental, domineering, exhausting.

The number of times I’ve seen a grief-filled look in his eye have been few. Very few.

I go to my spot as maid of honor and try to focus on what is happening, but it’s no use.

I’m fixated on Seth. That final look he gave me.

If he’s in pain over not walking down the aisle with me, which is a long shot, then he only has himself to blame.

Of course, that is just wishful thinking because Seth would never even consider touching me with a pole, let alone let me walk with him arm-in-arm.

After the rehearsal, the wedding party flocks out of the garden and into the big estate house where dinner is being held and other welcomed guests are already congregating.

I walk next to Dory who hasn’t left my side since we walked back down the aisle together. He’s been chatting with me, or at me I should say, considering I’m not very good at keeping up conversation with my head is full of so many thoughts.

“Anyway, enough of me talking, what about you, Bridget? What do you do?”

I smile to myself. My answer always excites people, men and women alike. And it most certainly keeps conversation going since they have questions for me, and I don’t have to keep the ball of conversation in the air. Unless I have a couple drinks in me…that helps immensely.

My smile grows as I remember that’s how Sonia and I became friends in the first place, when I cornered her in the bathroom at Lyons Club her first day here.

That feels so long ago now.

“I design lingerie.”

Dory’s head jerks back with a laugh. “What?”

“Did I surprise you?” I grin.

“Yes. Very…surprised.”

We begin to walk up the steps to the archway entrance of the mansion. “Why does that surprise you?”

“Because you’re…”

I raise my eyebrows.

Dory catches his next laugh in his hand, runs his hand down his clean-shaven chin. “So polite. I’m shocked, truly. How did you get into that?”

I am careful as I climb the steps, scared my heels will have me tumbling down at any moment. “I’ve always loved fashion.”

“Well, I can tell. You’re very well dressed.”

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