Page 29 of Until Then

I preen a bit at her compliment and roll my shoulders back before hurrying to the back gardens.

A group of other women in black stand in the shade of a tall palm. Men in fitted suits with red roses pinned to their lapels found a shadow under a second tree. In front of a golden fountain, Briar and Tyrell are already tangled in each other’s arms, posing for the bossy photographer.

I’m not this girl. This world, maybe it’s part of my blood, but it’s not really me.

Soon, I might need to take Tempest up on her deodorant offer if I keep sweating. Chin lifted, I make my way to the other bridesmaids, and blow out a quick breath of relief when Briar’s older sister waves me over.

“Hayley, girl, I haven’t seen you since you moved away to school.” Charlotte pulls me in for a tight hug. “You look amazing.”

“Look at you.” I grin at her tiny baby bump.

“Oh.” Charlotte presses a hand to her belly. “Surprise baby number two. Our first is barely one.”

She makes a few quick introductions to the other women.

“You’re the one who stole him from me, then.” A woman with short black hair, slicked behind her ears steps through. “I’m Mia, Ty’s cousin. I was the one who got moved from Noah since apparently, I’m too short. I’m like an inch shorter than you.”

For a second, I don’t know how to take her. Soon enough she laughs, and I breathe a little easier. “I’ll never understand wedding planners,” I tell her.

“Facts.” Mia tilts a bottled water to her lips. “Don’t get me wrong, Bry’s nephew is plenty delicious, but Noah . . . he’ssomething else. And I’m starting to think I wasn’t shifted around because of height. I’m starting to think there is a master plan or something going on here to get you with him.”

Unbidden, I cough, choking on my own spit. “What? Why do you say that?”

Mia leans closer, a cunning grin on her face. “Because from the moment you came out here, Noah Hayden hasn’t taken his eyes off you.”

TEN

Noah

Well, I’m in a beautiful hell and Hayley Foster is the center of it. Does she even realize the way she looks in that little black dress of hers?

Who does she think she is walking in here looking like a perfect daydream? There are rules about outshining the bride when it comes to weddings, and Hayley’s breaking all of them.

I maneuver around the groomsmen, all trying to keep out of the heat, and try to listen a little closer to whatever Hayley says to the other women. Sounds like Lottie loves her, hasn’t seen her for a bit, but it’s odd to realize how close Hayley was to Briar.

I thought Briar and I were good friends, and in all the years I’ve known her, she never said Hayley’s name.

Unless she did. Briar calls her Haze; maybe I just didn’t realize.

A fitting nickname. She is a haze, a total fog that overtakes my head and makes me feel like I can’t find my bearings. Our little truce was meant to be the end of it. A way to endure reviving a past I’d fought hard to bury beneath indifferent dating and losing myself in future projects.

Stupid of me.

The woman is tattooed on my brain.

Truce? What truce? I’m reeling at the very sight of her, and there’s no chance I’m getting through this wedding without getting too close to Hayley Foster. This day will end with new hurt or another taste of those lips.

Time will tell which one.

All at once, those eyes lift and catch my gaze.

I’m reeling.

Look away. I’m giving off creeper vibes, and I know it. Still, I can’t seem to break the spell.

Hayley blinks. Licks her lips. Her shoulders slump a bit and I don’t miss the way her finger coils around the skirt of her tight black dress as though it’s not giving up her every curve.

“Noah.” One of Tyrell’s brothers claps my shoulder. “They’re calling us for pictures.”

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