Page 86 of Burned By the Broken Doctor

She hugs me tightly, and I hold her close, my emotions swirling. I glance over her shoulder at Liam, who’s watching us with an unreadable expression. Our eyes meet once more, and I wonder if he feels the same turmoil I do.

As the guests start to mingle and the reception begins, I step aside, needing a moment to myself. I find a quiet corner, taking deep breaths to steady my emotions. The day is beautiful, the wedding perfect, but inside, I’m a mess.

I watch from a distance as June and Damon greet their guests, their faces alight with joy. I want that for myself, but I don’t know how to get there. My heart is tied up in knots, and I don’t know if I’ll ever untangle them.

The day wears on with a blur of activity, laughter, and emotion. Despite the heavy weight in my chest, I power through the ceremony. Every step, every smile feels like a performance I must perfect. June deserves nothing less.

The reception is in full swing, and the sound of clinking glasses, chatter, and soft music fills the air. I take a deep breath and step up to give my toast. The spotlight feels too bright, the eyes on me too many, but I plaster on a smile and raise my glass.

“Good evening, everyone,” I begin, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Emma, June’s best friend and Damon’s little sister. I’ve known June for years, and we’ve seen each other through all sorts of situations—most of them amusing, to be honest. But I want to share a particular story tonight.”

The crowd quiets, eager to hear. I glance over at June and Damon, their faces glowing with happiness.

“One day, years ago, June followed me home from school. She was a bundle of energy and curiosity, and she didn’t know when to stop talking.” The crowd chuckles, and June laughs, shaking her head. “I brought her home, and as soon as she walked in, she tripped over the threshold and landed face-first in front of my brother, who was carrying a tray of his beloved cookies that Mom makes and he never used to share. Of course, my brother got mad, and it was an embarrassing situation for my friend, but June, in true June fashion, got up, dusted herself off, and immediately asked for a cookie.”

Laughter erupts from the crowd, and I feel a small sense of relief. “I’ve never seen Damon so dumbfounded. Little did I know that years later, that same resilient and determined girl would be marrying the man she ran into on that threshold that day. June and Damon, you’ve faced your fair share of embarrassing situations, but you’ve always come out stronger and closer. Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, and cookies.”

The crowd hoots and applauds, but then someone shouts, “Emma’s next!” I try to wave it off and laugh, but another voice chimes in.

“I saw her and Dr. Miller Junior in each other’s arms the other night!” There are more laughs and some cheers. I feel my cheeks burn, but I keep my smile fixed.

“When should we expect the wedding?” another person screams, and I feel a knot tighten in my stomach.

I wave my hand dismissively. “I can’t tell you anything about that. Today is about June and Damon.” I quickly end the toast, my voice catching slightly. The cheers and applause continue, but I can’t bring myself to drink the champagne in my hand. For the past few days, I’ve been feeling off. I chalked it up to the stress of the wedding, but now, I’m not so sure.

Throughout the reception, I stay busy. I move from one task to another, ensuring everything is perfect. At one point, Dr. Miller, the senior one, approaches me.

“Are you okay, Emma?” he asks, his eyes full of concern.

I manage a smile, though it feels forced. “Yes, Dr. Miller. Just a bit tired, that’s all.”

He nods, but I can tell he’s not entirely convinced. “You’ve done an excellent job with the wedding. June and Damon are very lucky to have you.”

“Thank you,” I say, my smile a bit more genuine. “That means a lot.”

I move on, but my stomach churns. I can’t seem to eat any of the food, no matter how delicious it looks. I focus on keeping things running smoothly, pushing through the nausea and fatigue.

As the evening draws to a close, it’s time for the bouquet throw. I stand with the other bridesmaids and groomsmen, watching June prepare. My heart races, a mix of excitement and dread. I’m a romantic at heart, and I believe in the myth that catching the bouquet means you’re next to marry. But right now, the idea terrifies me.

June turns around and throws the bouquet into the air. It feels like everything slows down as I watch the bouquet sail, my heart pounding in my chest. I’m scared it will fall toward me, that it will seal a fate I’m not ready to accept. But then, I see it drifting far away from me.

For a moment, I feel a pang of disappointment, but then the crowd roars. I turn to see who caught it, and my breath catches in my throat. It’s Liam. He stands there, holding the bouquet, a look of surprise and amusement on his face.

The crowd erupts in cheers and laughter, and Liam raises the bouquet triumphantly. Our eyes meet, and for a moment, everything else fades away. There’s a connection between us, a silent understanding of the complicated emotions we’re both feeling.

Liam walks over to me, bouquet in hand, his expression serious. “Emma, can we talk?”

“No!” I walk out quickly toward the back door. I hear him following me. I whip around with force. “Leave me alone.”

Suddenly, my head swims around. The walls and the people around start spinning in a dizzying circle. What’s wrong with me? I didn’t even have a drink, so I can’t be drunk, right? I stagger to my left, reaching out my hand to grab a wall and stabilize myself.

“Emma, are you okay?”

“Yes—”

Before I can finish the words, everything around me descends into darkness.

29

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