Page 69 of The Plus One Professional

“No. Not really. At least not when we were growing up.”

I glanced up to try and see if I could get a hint at what Billie was feeling at the mention of Adam, but she was very difficult to read. I’d always thought that she had a thing for our neighbor, not that she ever admitted she did. It was just—I don’t know—the way she was around him. He could make her laugh and smile easier than anyone else. It was like when she was with him, she let her guard down.

Birdie placed her hand on her chest as she gasped and turned back to the mirror. “Do you remember Mr. Knight’s wedding? It was like a fairytale!”

I did remember it. It was the wedding I went to that made me fall in love with weddings. It was magical.

Adam’s mom was never in the picture. From what I remember, she’d left when he was little. His dad dated a lot but then suddenly got married when I was around sixteen or seventeen. The bride arrived at the church in a Cinderella-style carriage. She wore a princess-style gown with a twenty-foot train. At the reception, there were more flowers and candles than I’d ever seen in my life. Mr. Knight and his bride sat on thrones that were on a platform overlooking the ballroom. A six-string orchestra played contemporary songs, sort of like the soundtrack ofBridgerton. The entire affair had a very royal feel.

“I remember,” Billie said somberly.

Birdie finished applying her lipstick, then spun around to Billie. “Oh, wait, didn’t you catch the bouquet?”

Billie’s expression remained unreadable, but she took in a slightly shaky breath. “Yes.”

“And didn’t Adam catch the garter?!” Birdie enthused.

“He did.”

There was a faraway look in Billie’s eyes, as if she were transported back to that night. Before I could ask her if anything had happened, a loud knock sounded at the door.

I jumped up and rushed to the bathroom, where my dress was. “It’s Cole. He said he’d come to pick us up. I have to get dressed.”

“I’ll get it.” Billie stood.

“I’ll zip you up,” Birdie offered as she followed me in and closed the door behind her. My dress was backless, so the zipper was low, and I didn’t need help, but I appreciated the company.

Through the closed door, I heard Billie greet Cole as I pulled the dress over my head, and Birdie zipped me up. Nerves were flitting through my belly. I wasn’t sure why. Was it because I was about to see Simon marry someone else, or was it because I was about to see Cole again?

If I had to put money on it, I’d say it was Cole who was causing the butterflies.

“You look beautiful.” Birdie rested her chin on my shoulder and stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay today?”

“Yeah. I am. I promise.”

She nodded and stepped back as I slid on my nude heels. I took one last look in the mirror. My dress fit me like a glove, I’d managed to blow out my hair, and I’d even perfected the smokey eye.

I smiled when, in my mind, I heard my Grandpa Will’s voice say, “Well, don’t you look about as good as you can.”It was something he would say to my sisters and me whenever we were dressed up for a special occasion like prom or graduation.

Birdie looked over her shoulder, silently double-checking before opening the door. I nodded, and we walked out of the bathroom. I was momentarily speechless when I saw Cole. He was wearing a black suit, white shirt, and blue tie that matched his eyes exactly. I’d seen him in a suit plenty of times, but this time was different. Maybe because this time, I knew what was underneath the suit.

“You look…beautiful,” he breathed out, then blinked. “You all do.”

“Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.” Birdie smiled as she grabbed her clutch and handed me mine. “Ready, party people?”

“Ready.” I was as ready as I was ever going to be.

As we walked down to the area where the ceremony was being held, the sun was beginning to set. It cast a golden hue over the green rolling vineyards that went on for as far as the eye could see. Cole kept his hand on my lower back for the five-minute or so trek. His touch made me feel calm and excited at the same time. It was safe and dangerous. My hormones were going wild, but the rest of me felt secure and protected.

We took our seats about a third of the way back and made small talk while we waited for the ceremony to start. After about twenty minutes, I started glancing around, feeling like something was off. I’d done enough weddings to know when the energy wasn’t right. Simon and his groomsmen should be in place by now, or at least have walked Mrs. Prescott and Devin’s mom to their seats.

I glanced behind me and saw Mrs. Prescott standing beside a large oak tree, scanning the guests. When she saw me, her face lit up. I lifted my hand in a wave. Instead of waving back, she motioned for me to come over to her.

“I’ll be right back,” I told Cole and my sisters, then stood and walked to Mrs. Prescott. As soon as I was within arm’s length, she grabbed me and tugged me behind the tree.

“What’s wrong?” I rushed out.

She smiled, but it didn’t quite meet her eyes. Her voice was so quiet. I had to lean in to make out what she was saying. “Do you know where Simon is?”

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