Page 32 of Redemption

As if he didn’t know my body intimately.

Hadn’t consumed my thoughts for the past few years.

Hadn’t shattered my heart completely and irrevocably.

Was he bringing a date? Was that why he was running late?

Oh god. I held a hand to my stomach. If I had to watch him laughing with someone else. Touching someone else… I was going to be sick.

“Sloan?” Greer called.

“Yeah. Yep?” I answered too quickly, my tone too bright.

If anyone found my behavior odd, I hoped they’d chalk it up to wedding day nerves and excitement. Not the fact that I was going to have to face the love of my life after he’d told me that the end of our relationship was “inevitable.” Inevitable. Ha!

Looking back now, I could say the only thing that had been inevitable was the fact that he’d break my heart. Greer had been right.

“What can I get you?” I asked Greer. Jackson might be running late, but I knew he would never miss his sister’s wedding. He was walking her down the aisle, for Christ’s sake. “Something to eat? To drink?”

“Champagne.” She grinned, passing me a glass. “Here.”

I realized then that the rest of the bridal party were already holding their own flutes, the bubbles racing to the top. If I’d eaten breakfast this morning, I was pretty sure it, too, would be racing to escape.

“Thank you all for helping celebrate my wedding.” Greer smiled. “I’m so grateful for each of you and the role you’ve played in my life.”

“Aww,” one of the other bridesmaids crooned. I wanted to be present. To be there for my best friend, but it felt as if I were floating outside my body. Watching everything as it happened to me instead of being an active participant.

Damn, Jackson.

“And thank you to Sloan.” Greer turned to me. “For helping me have the wedding of my dreams at my dream venue.” She spread one arm wide to encompass our suite. “The presidential suite at the Huxley Grand New York? It doesn’t get any better than this.”

The Huxley Grand New York was one of the most sought-after wedding venues in Manhattan. It didn’t matter that it was incredibly expensive; it was booked out years in advance. But for Greer, I’d covered the majority of the cost, knowing she’d never let me pay for her wedding, even though it wouldn’t make a dent in my inheritance now that I had full access to my trust.

I inclined my head. “Only the best for my bestie.” I’d happily pulled some strings, doing everything in my power to ensure my best friend had the most wonderful wedding day possible. It was the least I could do.

We clinked our glasses, and I downed the champagne, feeling like the terrible friend I was. She had no idea that I loved her brother, and it needed to stay that way.

Besides, it didn’t matter now. Jackson and I were over.

I was still gutted by the fact that he’d lied to me. He’d said he loved me, but he’d accepted a job on the other side of the country. He’d interviewed and searched for apartments and made plans for his future without my ever having a clue.

I tightened my grip on the champagne flute. How could I have been so oblivious? How could he have kept something so big…from me?

I guessed part of me knew I should’ve seen it coming. He’d lied to his family for months, allowing them to believe he was still with the SEALs. We’d both lied about our relationship—never letting on that we were together. That we were in love.

I took a gulp of champagne. Were we, though? In love?

Everything else had been a lie, so maybe that had been too. At least for him.

The bridal party finished getting ready. By the time I was in my dress, I was on my third glass of champagne. I was buzzed and determined to be happy, and I was not going to let Jackson—or anyone else—ruin this day.

“Oh my goodness.” Greer’s mom, Belinda, entered the suite. “Sweetheart…” She held a hand to her mouth, her gaze soft on Greer. “You look stunning.”

“Mom.” Greer fanned her face. “Don’t make me cry.”

“I have amazing news.” Belinda was beaming, radiating joy as she took Greer’s hands in hers. “Your brother made it in early this morning. He’s getting ready and should be up soon.”

Greer’s shoulders relaxed, her face transforming into one of serene happiness. “Did you hear that, Sloan?” Greer turned to me. “Jackson made it. He’s not going to miss my wedding.”

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