Page 27 of Until I Own You

That’s when the texts really began. My check-ins. My begging to know where she was. Of course, she didn’t see it as begging. She saw it as manipulation.

I wasn’t able to enjoy the rehearsal dinner whatsoever last night after our confrontation under the column. I had to watch as Dory flirted with her, ogled at her, sat next to her, the place I have wanted to take for ten years.

And then I had to watch her walk down the aisle with him. Arm and arm. The way he leaned down and whispered something teasing in her ear. How it made her laugh.

Drove me fucking crazy.

But what really pushed me off the deep end was Bridget. How beautiful she looked in the olive-colored dress that brought out the green in her eyes. The elegant line of her bare collarbone. Her head held high, dark hair in luscious tumbling curls.

God, what am I supposed to do?

Keep it together, Seth.

That doesn’t stop me from scanning the garden for any sign of her just one more time.

Instead, I lock eyes with Mason.

He’s standing with Nate, talking low and close. He jerks his head to draw me closer.

I head over. That will hopefully be a good distraction. “What’s up?”

“You still good to help us tonight?” Mason asks.

I smile. “Of course, I am.”

Nate sighs. “We’re nervous, man.”

“Most guys have to propose on their own,” I say. “They don’t have backup.”

Mason scoffs. “You know it’s not like that.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m joking, joking.” I grab both my friends’ shoulders and give them a squeeze. “It’s going to be great.”

They both smile.

When I found out that they’d gotten permission from Sonia and Edwin to propose to Laney at the reception, I offered my services right away. After all, I was one of the first ones in on the relationship, when Mason called me almost in panic when they were in the cabin where their throuple’s story began.

Now they’ve been official for about eight months and, while I think it’s a little fast for a proposal, when you know, you know, I guess.

“So, you’ll go out and make sure the lights are set up, right? Abigail’s on musician duty and–”

Laney appears at Mason’s shoulder. “What are you guys talking about?”

All three of us jump at the sound of her voice.

Mason gasps. “God, you scared me!”

Laney frowns, smiling at us like we’re dummies. “Sorry, didn’t realize you weren’t ready for a jump scare.”

Nate tries to laugh.

Laney puts her hands on her hips. In her heels today, she’s almost as tall as me. “Seriously, why are you being all secretive?”

Mason and Nate look at me for an excuse because “planning our proposal to you” isn’t going to cut it if they want to keep the element of surprise.

“Just checking if they’ve seen Bridget.” God, I’m obsessed with her.

Laney looks around as I’ve done twenty times already. “Oh, weird. She was in the photos, right?”

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