Page 63 of Finding Out

“Me either.” It killed me to know that I’d made anything about her wedding imperfect.

She met my eye again. “Let’s just pretend you didn’t hook up with Dad. Then we can move on like it didn’t happen.”

My stomach dropped as those words ripped through my chest like a knife. Not only was she uninterested in talking things out, but she was writing my relationship with Tom off completely, like it was only a fling.

“You’ll be on to someone new by the time I’m home from my trip anyway.” With that, she spun back to the mirror.

I was at a loss for words. Was that what she thought of me? That I moved on without a thought? Maybe it was fair; in the past, hadn’t I done just that? But back then, I’d never experienced a connection like I had with Tom.

I blinked hard. It hurt that she couldn’t see the difference. Not that I’d given her a chance to. And that was on me. I could call her out, but this was her wedding day. I wouldn’t make things harder.

“It’s your day.” The words left my lips almost flatly, and I moved to the far side of the room.

“You okay?” Jana asked

I nodded.

She pursed her lips, her eyes swimming with questions. Thankfully, before she could hound me, the makeup crew walked in and the wedding fun started.

With a glass of champagne in my hand, I plastered on a smile and did my best to stay out of the way. It was nothing like how I’d pictured this day, and this was not me. But I wouldn’t cause waves.

After a while, Emerson knocked on the doorframe and sauntered in, tripping on his own feet as he did.

“No men allowed,” Gianna, his fiancée, teased.

“No grooms allowed. But men bearing gifts for the bride and the maid of honor should be welcomed with kisses.” Holding two envelopes, each with a small box, he bent down to kiss her, but Gianna gave him her cheek.

“Makeup, Em,” she chided.

“Makeup is a worse cock-block than my mother,” he grumbled, turning to Avery. “From your father, who absolutely adores you and can’t wait to see you.” He handed her a white envelope and a small box. Then he turned to me and held out the small gold envelope and box. “From the man who apparently adores you too.”

My hands shook as I reached for the package. All eyes were on me, Avery’s gaze the most palpable. “I didn’t know…” What a dumb thing to say. Of course I didn’t know he’d have a gift delivered to me. I shook my head.

“Open it, Avy,” Kristine prompted, blessedly shifting the attention of the group back to the bride. Where it should be.

I knew what was in the box for Avery, since I’d helped her dad pick it out two weeks ago. A diamond and sapphire tennis bracelet. In all honesty, he didn’t need my help. He knew her, and he’d picked the perfect something blue. She turned her back to me, excluding me from the moment.

Respecting her need for space, I stepped away and opened the envelope.

For the first of many big occasions in our life together.

A small something that I hope will always remind you of how grateful I am to have you next to me through all the important days and even the ordinary ones.

Daddy Wilson

My lips tugged up at the corners as I studied the signature. It was the first time he’d ever called himself that. He’d done it on purpose. To make me smile because he knew how hard today would be.

Across the room, Jana and Gianna gasped over the jewelry. Instead of being drawn into the excitement, I couldn’t help but worry that if I joined in, I would be an interruption. The idea made my chest hurt. No part of me wanted to be an interruption on my best friend’s day. But her comments rang in my ears. She wanted to pretend it hadn’t happened. As much as I didn’t want to hurt her, to ruin her day, I couldn’t deny my connection with Tom.

With a steadying breath, I turned back to the small jewelry box in my hand.

I cracked the gold lid, and my jaw dropped when I caught sight of the heirloom teardrop ruby nestled below a diamond on a rose goldchain. Not only was this perfect to my taste, but it was the perfect complement to my dress. That made sense, since Tom Wilson was a details man. My details man. Heart pounding, I looked up, finding that Avery was watching me, wearing a frown.

The look was a punch to the stomach. I had never wanted my relationship with Tom to cost me my best friend.

Baby Girl: You always manage to be perfect, especially when I don’t expect it. Today didn’t need to be about me.

Me: For me, every day will be about you.

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