Page 94 of The Winning Ticket

I take a deep breath and raise my glass of champagne, and the crowd follows suit. “To Chris and Morgan. May you have many happy years together, and I can’t wait to see what else life has in store for you both.”

Everyone toasts them and sips their champagne while I hand the microphone back to Tara, who squeezes my forearm and looks pointedly towards Bri. I follow her gaze and see Bri wiping away a tear, and my heart clenches. I hope that is a happy tear, not a sad one. Tara smiles at me before nudging me back to my seat, and I walk towards Bri, who refuses to look at me while Tara announces the next speaker.

43

I KNEW MY SISTER WAS IN LOVE

BRIANNA

I’ve been holding my breath ever since Jake challenged us all to find two people more perfect for each other. When he looked directly at me, the burning intensity behind his eyes felt like it was burned right into my soul, and I feel my sister reach to take my hand under the table.

I don’t think Jake meant to make his best man’s speech about us, and maybe I’m reading too much into it, but there’s no denying the weight of his gaze now as he’s walking towards me.

“And now, let’s hear from the bride’s little sister, Brianna, the Maid of Honour.”

I stand up, and Jake arrives at my side in time to catch my chair before it topples over. When I turn to face him, I grip my speech, and his expression softens when he looks down at my hands. I brush past him to walk around the table and hear him whisper, “Breathe, Little B.”

Making it to my best friend on shaky legs, I can’t tell if it’s nerves over giving a speech or because Jake just laid everything out on the table. Tara hands me the microphone and hugs me before stepping back, and I turn back to face the bridal table, trying to focus on my sister’s face.

“I can remember the day Morgan came home, blushing, and told me that Chris had slipped her a note asking her to be his girlfriend. As her little sister, it was my job to be disgusted that a boy had asked her out, but even at eleven, I knew my sister was in love. I remember Jake and I teasing them both mercilessly, but secretly, I think we were both jealous that they seemed to get one another,” I glance over at Jake, and he smiles with a slight nod. “Chris has been an unwavering tower of strength in our family, and I am so excited to finally be able to call him my brother, even though you’ve been filling that role since you were twelve, and I love how you treat my sister like the princess we all know she is.” Morgan pokes her tongue out at me while everyone laughs, and Chris nods proudly while kissing the back of her hand. “I was so excited to watch you both get married today and officially start your lives together. And watching you both right now has made me certain of one thing.” I take a deep breath, trying so hard to keep my eyes on the happy couple instead of the man sitting at their side watching me intently. “You’ve set the standard for what I should expect in a partner. You respect each other and build one another up. You always put the needs of the other before yourself, and most importantly, you are best friends. Thank you for teaching all of us what love should be like.” My voice is shaking, and now I couldn’t look away from Jake even if I wanted to.

A small smile plays across his lips, and he raises his glass towards me again, pushing me forward while I’m frozen in place. I nod slightly, lifting my glass.

“To Chris and Morgan. May you live happily ever after.”

Everyone else raises their glasses, and we toast the happy couple, who share a soft kiss while we all cheer.

I turn back to Tara, who is grinning from ear to ear, and hand her the microphone.

“Nice speech,” she says with a wink, and I smile at her.

“Thanks.”

“Did you mean it all?” she asks before looking over my shoulder towards Jake.

“Yep, I am happy for them.”

She rolls her eyes. “Nice way to avoid answering the real question.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I say, widening my eyes in mock surprise.

She swats my arm before waving me off.

I return to the bridal table, and my eyes instantly meet Jake’s. The burning intensity is back, and my knees wobble again as I move towards him. I slip back into my seat, unable to ignore how my heart is pounding loudly in my ears.

Neither of us says anything while Tara invites Chris and Morgan to the dance floor for the first dance, and James Arthur’s Say You Won’t Let Go starts playing. I swallow the lump in my throat while I listen to the lyrics of the first verse. It’s a song I know well, but listening to it now, the words have taken on a new meaning, and I try not to tear up.

Jake shifts slightly beside me, and I feel his arm slide along the back of my chair. He begins to rub his hand up and down my arm gently. I allow myself to briefly press into his side and take a deep breath, trying to push aside all the nervous energy. I watch my sister and her husband sway from side to side as the song continues.

“And now, the rest of the bridal party, please join them on the dance floor,” Tara says, pointing at the four of us still sitting at the bridal table.

Jake stands first and reaches his hand out for mine. I slip my hand into his, allowing him to lead me onto the dance floor and pull me into his arms. But when he starts singing the lyrics quietly in my ear, it takes every ounce of my strength not to splinter apart and beg him to give us another chance – a real chance. Because I want it all. And I want it all with him.

A tap on my shoulder pulls me out of my reverie as the next song starts, and I reluctantly step back. I momentarily meet Jake’s gaze before I see my father standing behind me.

“Can I cut in for a moment?”

Jake graciously steps away, and I try to hide the surprise I’m feeling as my father takes his place.

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