Page 24 of A Major Puck Up

Lost. Sad even.

Not evil.

And despite my anger over what she did—over how she seduced me—I can’t help but feel for her.

Despite her loneliness, Millie is gorgeous. She’s wearing a deep burgundy silk dress that falls to her calves. Her curly hair whips around her, and when she turns so I can see her face, I have trouble swallowing.As our eyes connect, my neck heats despite the cool breeze that comes off the ocean. The defeat in those golden irises, the weight pushing on her shoulders, and the clear shame that mars her pretty face nearly break me. I have no idea what I’m doing, but she can’t sit by herself. Not in a moment like this.

Ford is beaming—rightfully so. He’s about to marry the love of his life. Beside him, Daniel is laughing and joking, completely oblivious to his sister’s heartbreak.

I don’t know the true cause or why she’s taking this so hard. But the woman I met on Friday night was kind. Determined. She didn’t cower.

And then she sobbed after we had sex. If that doesn’t tell me that she’s struggling, that she’s not devious, that she’s not nearly the brat I made her out to be in my mind, then I’d have to be dead inside.

And even if she’s in the wrong, I can’t sit here while she’s sad and alone.

“I’m going to go sit with Millie,” I say to Beckett.

He glances across the aisle, and his eyes crease in understanding. “I’ll watch Tweedledee and Tweedledum,” he says. The small quirk of his lips is about as close to a smile as he gets.

I stand and head her way, garnering Ford’s attention in the process. He tilts his head and watches me until I take the seat beside Millie. Then he shoots me an appreciative smile.

There’s no way in hell he’d look at me like that if he knew the things I’ve done with his little girl, but I’m going to forget all about the way she tasted or felt beneath me and focus on being a friend to her when she needs one.

“What are you doing?” Her voice is quiet and filled with uncertainty.

I fiddle with the button on the front of my jacket and keep my attention trained on the altar. I can’t look at her when she’s this close. I’m liable to kiss her. “Shh, Peaches. Wedding’s about to start.”

In my periphery, she bites back a smile and ducks her head, her cheeks turning pink.

Up front, Daniel nods at me, then smiles at Millie. Her smile comes easier this time, filling me with an irrational sense of pride.

When the music starts and all eyes turn in the direction of the wedding party, I find that my focus is fixed on her.

As Melina comes down the aisle, Millie elbows me. “You’re supposed to be focused on the wedding.”

“Can’t look away from the beautiful girl next to me.”

She rolls her eyes as she continues to keep her gaze on the show before us.

In a deep red dress, Melina takes her spot opposite Daniel and winks at Ford. “Hey, Daddy Hall. Your girl looks gorgeous.”

With a laugh, Ford shakes his head. “Mel, the nickname.”

He hates being called Daddy. And for the first time, I really get that. The last thing I’d want is the girl next to me to call me daddy. And yet

I close my eyes, forcing the horrible thoughts—thoughts about the ways I could teach her, the ways I did teach her—from my mind.

The music switches to a soft melody, and the people around us stand and turn. Beside me, Millie sucks in a breath, almost like she’s summoning her courage, and then she stands as well.

Every person here is focused on the bride, most of all my best friend, who is wiping at tears that fall despite his big smile. He’s in love, and he’s proud to show it. Nothing could tear his attention from Lake now, so I grasp Millie’s left hand and step closer.

She snaps her head to the side and blinks at me, stunned, as the procession continues. We don’t look away from one another. I hold her hand, stare into her eyes, and silently lead her through deep, even breaths as Lake makes her way down the aisle. When the wedding officiant asks us to be seated, she breaks eye contact, and I release her hand.

We sit side by side, not touching, through the ceremony. And the whole time, I can feel the warmth of her palm beneath mine. It’s imprinted on my skin just like her body is from our night together.

This woman has stained me, changed me, and I’m not sure what to think about that.

Nor do I have any interest in reverting to the man I was before.

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