Page 7 of Face-Off with my Childhood Best Friend

I’m so used to wearing different garments, wedding dresses, lingerie, swimwear … that until a moment ago, I didn’t think about the garment as anything other than fabric I’m showcasing.

“And you look amazing in your tux,” I say. “I’ve only seen you these past few years in hockey gear.”

“You’ve looked me up?” he asks. A grin forming on his gorgeous face.

“Who’s been stalking who?” I arch my brow and match his smile with one of my own. “After all, it’s normally after I see your name popping up on my socials.”

“Guilty.” He grins, holding his palm in the air.

Soft music plays in the background, but it seems to fade away as he reaches out his hand for mine.

I take a step forward, my eyes locked with Oscar’s. He swallows, and I suddenly feel the weight of my gown swirling around me like a cloud.

Everything feels surreal.

And when I take his hand, electricity zips through my body, landing in my lower belly, I swallow, trying to compose myself.

You’re just friends, Nadia.

“Hello Oscar, thank you for this, and may I say...” My eyes looking around his face, which has turned more chiseled over the years. “You scrub up nicely.”

He laughs. “Hello Nadia, can we start again?” His dark hair and blue eyes are on me as he flashes a mischievous grin. “And you never needed to scrub up. You were always the most beautiful person in the room.”

I smile. My heart skips a beat as I feel his gaze linger on me, sending a rush of warmth through my veins.

But the moment we were sharing suddenly disappears when the curtain opens and the music for the show starts.

The moment the lights dim, the crowd falls into a complete and utter silence.

All eyes are fixed on us, creating a palpable tension in the air as we stand together, ready to make our entrance. He squeezes my hand like he knows I’m nervous. I’m not nervous about walking—not this time.

This time I’m nervous because of how he is affecting me. Nervous because his touch is sending shivers down my spine. The way he always did.

Our prompt to walk comes, and together, we begin our slow walk down the runway, the soft chiffon of my gown floating around me.

As we walk, the eyes of the audience and fashionistas are drawn to us, captivated by the elegance of the wedding dress and Oscar’s impeccably tailored tuxedo.

We walk down the runway, our steps perfectly synchronized, as if we’ve been practicing for this moment our whole lives.

As we reach the end of the runway, the crowd erupts into applause and cheers. A feeling of joy bubbles inside me, causing a smile to form on my lips.

I turn toward Oscar. His blue irises have darkened, causing nervous flutters in my stomach. We turn to the walk back down the runway as Stella and Reynolds wait at the end for their turn.

“See you soon.” I say as we reach the back of the stage.

Oscar rushes to my side. “I’ll wait here.”

My eyes widen as I stare at him. I notice his hand, tense and unmoving, as it hovers over the handle, creating a barrier between me and the door.

“You need to change.”

He shakes his head. “I’m wearing the same tuxedo.”

“I need to change into the next dress.”

A mischievous glint flickers in his eyes as he playfully teases. “So, are you trying to choose which one of these stunning gowns you want to marry me in?” He casually shrugs one shoulder. “You know you can’t resist me forever. That’s why you’re stalking me.”

Laughter burst out of me uncontrollably, the sound echoing off the walls. “Well, that all depends on whether it’s a grand church ceremony or a casual beach affair,” I reply with a straight face.

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