Page 56 of Lightness In My Dark

The only thing I could do was pretend to get mad to avoid any more humiliation. “I’m going with Cole. See you there,” and I closed the door.

He laughed his way back to his room.Jerk!He loved catching me in my perverted thoughts.

Several hair attempts later, Cole and I were on our way. We exchanged compliments about our choice of clothing. A soft-spoken, attractive man for his age, I’ve only witnessed him raise his voice twice when Finn acted like an ass. They hadn’t talked for several days after Finn hit me. Cole was upset by his behavior.

I hooked my arm through Cole’s, ascending the church stairs. The main wooden doors had carvings of crosses on them. As Cole pulled the door, someone pushed it open, and I almost tumbled down. Finn caught me.

“I came out to call you.”

My arms stretched out, and I said, “We’re here.”

Finn’s eyes roamed my body as he said, “Yes, you are.”

Cole cleared his throat.

Finn rolled his eyes. “I’m not dead, Cole. Wren is looking hot.”

My blush complexion blended in with my knee-high rose blush dress. The sleeves stopped above the elbow and the wide square neckline exposed the top of my nonexistent cleavage.

As an usher, Finn placed his hand on the small of my back and ushered us to a pew. He asked me to keep a space for him. A harpist played in the above gallery. The length of the middle aisle had a champagne-colored runner with matching-colored bows on the end of each pew. Flowers scented the church. It was beautiful. I had hoped our wedding would be as magical.

Once the church filled, Finn scooted in next to me on the end and adjusted his tie. He was impressive in and out of a suit.

You’re in church! Lightning’s going to strike any minute if you don’t stop thinking about the towel hanging on his hips or his naked body.

I tried to dispel my fiery daydreams, but it didn’t help when Finn put his hand on my leg. It was warm. I placed mine on top, which made him turn to me with a lopsided smile, exposing his dimple. That dimple. It softened his masculine features. His beautiful silver eyes, the sprinkle of yellow, stared into mine, cutting my air supply for a brief second. Finn placed our hands on his leg and turned to the front. His Armani appearance mixed well with vulgar lips. A sizeable man to swoon a woman before his palate drew her to his bed.

Marie looked gorgeous. Walking down the aisle, people gasped, and Julius’s beaming smile said it all. He probably felt like the luckiest man in the world. The harp accompanied the organ throughout the procession. During mass, I could see a trickle of sweat run down Finn’s temple and wondered if he was thinking about our wedding. He slackened the knot in his tie while they said their vows. Was he nervous? Was he having second thoughts?

The bride and groom left the church as everyone filed out. We stood on the steps and they climbed into a limousine headed to the country club.

Finn turned to us and said, “Why don’t you leave the car here, Cole, and we can all drive together?”

Cole shook his head. “I’d rather drive in case I want to leave earlier.” He turned to me. “Go with Finn. I’ll meet up with you both.”

The bridal party stood in a large room off the main doors. They setup tables with appetizers and a couple of bars. A violinist and pianist played in the adjoining area that led to the main ballroom. I couldn’t get over how glamorous everything was, from the guests to appetizers to the décor on the tables. Each had a large, tall wine glass filled with flowers matching the bridesmaid’s, and a wreath around the stem.

Finn gulped down two glasses of water, moisture wetting the top of his collar.

“Are you okay?”

He wiped his hand with a handkerchief and said, “Yeah, fine. Just thirsty and I have a headache.”

“I don’t have any aspirin. Let me go—”

“Don’t worry. It will go away soon.”

We sat at a table with an older couple, who were friends of the bride’s mother, Finn’s friend Jared and his date, and Peter, who I hadn’t met. He sat next to Finn, and Cole sat on the other side of me. Peter introduced himself and came across nothing like Finn’s other friends. He was sociable. Someone I’d call a gentleman, polite, easy-going, and full of compliments.

“It’s nice to meet you, Wren. I’ve been out of the country, working at my family’s company in our London office.”

I sat straighter. “Nice to meet you, too. That must be exciting. I’ve always wanted to go to London.”

He smacked Finn’s shoulder. “Take the girl to London.” Peter addressed me. “It’s a great city with countless things to do. If Finn can’t come, I’ll show you around town.”

Finn put his arm around my shoulders, snuggling closer. In jest, he said, “Hey, quit hitting on my woman.”

“If your fiancé wasn’t so damn beautiful, you wouldn’t have to worry about me or anyone else.” He winked as he elbowed Finn. “In all seriousness, you should visit London. No other city like it.”

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