Page 103 of Can't Fight the Moonlight

She smiled. "Good. Because we need to get you married to the man of your dreams—for the second time."

"There's nothing as wonderful as going through life with your best friend, your soul mate. I hope you find what I found, Lizzie, even if it's not with Justin. Although, I haven't given up hope there."

"You should give up hope. It's not going to happen."

"He'll get past his anger, if he hasn't already."

"It's not just that. We want different things."

"Not if you want each other."

She smiled. "You have love on the brain right now."

"Weddings tend to do that," Marie said, smiling back at her.

"Let's go. Your handsome groom is waiting."

Chapter Twenty-One

They madetheir way into the garden where Lizzie had set up chairs for the two-dozen guests, all of which were filled. Justin's parents were seated in the front row. Justin sat on the aisle opposite his parents. They weren't together, but they were close. It was a start. She hoped they would one day find a way to forgive each other. She thought it would be good for all of them.

The violinist she had hired for the ceremony began to play, and Marie walked down the aisle to join Ben under an arch of beautiful white flowers, in front of a female minister. Everyone from the inn had come down for the ceremony. Noah and Alice were sitting together, holding hands, their reunion still going strong. Some of her friends were here as well.

Hannah and Keira both gave her small nods, as she looked in their direction. Chloe and Adam were seated in the row behind them, and she was struck again by how close they seemed to be. She hadn't had time to catch up with Chloe in the past few days. She wondered what had happened with the text she'd seen on Kevin's phone, or if Chloe had heard about Kevin spending so much time in the bar late at night.

Chloe looked pretty relaxed today. So did her brother. But she had the feeling they were both playing with fire. She hoped no one got burned.

But there she went again, getting way too involved in everyone's business. She really needed to just pay attention to herself.

Drawing her gaze away from the crowd, she listened to the minister talk about the love Marie and Ben shared. She was a personal friend of the couple and had flown up from Los Angeles for the ceremony, so she was able to share amusing and beautiful stories about Marie and Ben that made the ceremony feel intimate and fun.

At the end, Marie and Ben sealed their promises with a kiss that almost made Lizzie blush. Clearly, they were not only best friends, but they were also passionate lovers.Fifty-seven years and counting.She felt a rush of envy and a painful ache as her gaze came to rest on Justin.

He turned his head and caught her eye and for a long minute they just looked at each other.

Then the crowd clapped as the minister pronounced Marie and Ben husband and wife—again—and they made their way down the aisle.

She moved to the nearby bar and grabbed the tray of champagne glasses. Victor helped her pass them out to the guests.

Once everyone had a glass, Justin asked for their attention.

"I'd like to make a toast," he said, looking at his grandparents. "The way you live your lives and the way you love each other has always been an inspiration to me. Your energy for life, your constant smiles, your endless support, and your generosity are unmatched. You are the best role models anyone could have, and I hope you will live every day feeling the same kind of happiness that you've shown each and every one of us. I wouldn't be the man I am without you. Thanks Grandma, Grandpa. Here's to another fifty-seven years!"

Lizzie's eyes filled with tears at Justin's words, and she slipped away, needing a minute to compose herself. Despite her best efforts to protect her heart, she'd fallen in love with Justin. And now he was going to break her heart. She was going to lose him, just as she'd feared.

As she entered the inn, she ran into Paula Wickmayer in the dining room.

"I'm sorry; I'm early. I didn't realize you were having a wedding here," Paula said. "I was just excited that you agreed to speak to me tonight. But I'll come back in an hour, when we said we were going to talk."

"It's fine. You're here now. We should do this. Let's go into my office." Before they could take a step, Keira called her name.

"Lizzie, are you—" Keira stopped talking, surprise filling her gaze. "Paula, I didn't know you were coming here."

"Lizzie and I are going to discuss my proposal."

Keira's surprised gaze sought hers. "Oh, okay. You're doing that now? There's a wedding reception going on."

"I've done all I needed to do for that," Lizzie said. "Go enjoy yourself, Keira. We'll talk later."

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