Page 36 of Forever and Other Lies

It was crazy because Jayna was not an insecure person. Not normally. Just around Leighton.

The door chimes sounded along with a low wolf whistle.

“Wow, Leighton, you look incredible,” Ben said.

“Beautiful,” a low, sexy voice added.

Jayna twisted around. Derek stood next to Ben in the doorway. Both men were drooling. The green-eyed monster clawed its’ way to the surface. She half-expected her own clothing to tear away like the Incredible Hulk.

She forced it back down. What did she care if Derek thought Leighton was beautiful? She couldn’t care less.

She was here for Piper. All she cared about was creating Piper’s dream wedding.

Chapter 16

If this wasn’t Piper’s dream wedding, they’d come very close. Seated at the head table, Jayna felt pride as she looked around the reception hall. The venue was truly enchanting. She fully understood why Piper had chosen it the first time for the wedding that never happened. The historic mill was built in the 1800s and possessed an innate charm with wide plank flooring, exposed beams, and weathered stone walls. The linens she’d selected, along with the antique dinnerware, complemented the setting perfectly. The gold cutlery, added last minute, was the perfect finishing touch. She’d missed her calling as a wedding planner.

Jayna had to admit that it had been kind of fun. It was probably her only chance to plan a wedding because there was no way she’d be planning one for herself.

Her gaze moved, fixating on Piper as she gracefully twirled in Nick’s embrace on the dancefloor. Where did Piper find the courage to risk her heart not once, but twice? Nick had hurt her so badly, yet she’d given him a second chance.

A strange sensation tugged at Jayna as she continued to watch Nick and Piper who were so obviously deeply in love. Was it yearning?

No, impossible.

She didn’t want anything like this, did she?

Yet there was a nagging doubt that set in. Was she mistaken about the possibility of finding her soulmate? Could there be that one person who would stay by her side, someone who would be there for not only the good times but the bad times as well? Possibly there could be a man out there who would make her feel less alone.

She mentally shook her head. NO! That was not something she wanted. This romantic atmosphere was clouding her judgment. Normally, she remained detached at weddings and baby showers. But this time she’d been actively involved in not only the planning, but the execution of the entire event. Execution? Was that the right word? Maybe. Marriage did seem like a life sentence.

Forcing her eyes away from the happy couple, she gazed around the beautifully decorated room before stopping at Derek. Now that man was the perfect antidote to extinguish these unwanted romantic feelings.

Leaning against the bar, Derek tugged at the bowtie, appearing thoroughly miserable. She couldn’t help but feel pleasure at his obvious discomfort.

Begrudgingly, she had to admit that he looked very handsome in the black tux. He’d even gotten a haircut for the occasion.

He met her gaze, and his eyes narrowed. Jayna hadn’t failed to notice that Derek purposefully became more annoying and arrogant when she was around. And she reciprocated in kind. But for this wedding, they’d declared a ceasefire. Now her tongue hurt from biting it. By the pained expression on Derek’s stupid face, it was taking all his willpower to behave as well.

The DJ called for the wedding party to join the bride and groom on the dancefloor. Jayna’s head snapped back to Derek. He looked equally horrified. It had been bad enough that she’d been paired with him, having to walk down the aisle on his arm. But now she’d have to dance with him? A slow dance? Why her?

She stood, reluctantly walking to the edge of the dancefloor, side-eyeing him as he came to stand beside her. He held out his hand, and she took it, none too gently.

“Let’s get this over with,” he said, sounding annoyed. She didn’t want to dance with him any more than he wanted to dance with her.

“Wow, always the gentleman!” She moved into his arms.

He glared down at her, yanking her closer which caused her to stumble against him. “Hey, don’t get the wrong idea,” he muttered.

“What does that mean?” She forced herself away from his chest.

“It means don’t fall for me.” He blew her a kiss.

She snorted. “No chance of that!”

“What does that mean?” He used a high-pitched voice, regurgitating her question in an attempt to imitate her. It was a pretty good imitation.

“Derek, you are safe with me. I’m the last woman who would ever fall for your charms, or rather, your lack of them.”

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