Page 49 of Stuck With the Billionaire Grump

I’m pretty sure my knees would buckle if I wasn’t already sitting.

Lucy is radiant, her slender frame draped in a blue silk gown that just barely kisses the floor. Her shoulders are bare, save for delicate straps, showing off her dainty collarbones and graceful neck. Even from afar, her skin looks smooth as silk. I want to trace my fingertips over it, to reverently paint invisible art on her.

Clenching my hands into fists in my lap, I force my expression to remain neutral as Lucy drifts closer.

“Those Montgomery genes sure are blessed,” whispers a woman in the row behind me. Another woman murmurs an agreement.

Then, before I know it, Lucy is gliding past me. Her eyes flicker toward me for half a heartbeat and then refocus on the altar. I catch her grinning at Elijah, whose gaze is already glassy with emotion.

Lucy takes her spot on the opposite side of the altar, perfectly balanced with Harry’s position.

The music shifts, softening into something more tender and romantic. It’s not a typical bridal march, but rather a personalized melody that wafts around the airy space like a summer breeze.

Just like Lucy described earlier, the sunlight that had previously been pouring in from overhead and all around suddenly dims. Gasps and appreciative sighs echo throughout as the guests lift their faces to the domed ceiling and watch as the impressively high-tech shades—barely visible over the glass panels—darken the room. As the sun fades into a subtle glow, the thousands of string lights spark to life.

I smile to myself, proud of my handiwork. My gaze drifts toward Lucy at the altar to find that she’s already watching me. There’s a ghost of a smile on her lips, like a silentthank youfor me alone.

And even as the guests rise to their feet and Lucy’s attention goes toward the back of the space, I can’t take my eyes off her. Even when I know that I should be admiring the graceful parting of the curtains and politely watching as Josie appears at the head of the aisle with her hand tucked into the crook of her father’s elbow, I cannot coax my stare away from Lucy.

I am barely aware of the bride gliding down the aisle. All I register is a graceful column of white satin and lace in my peripheral vision.

All I know is Lucy.

The music tugs on my heart, unraveling it little by little as I fight to pay attention to the ceremony. It’s no use, though. By the time Josie makes it to the altar, handing off her bouquet to Lucy and entwining her fingers with Elijah, I know that there is only one person my mind, heart, and soul want to focus on right now.

It is a beautiful ceremony. Of that, I’m certain. Even so, I’m only vaguely aware of the teary-eyed audience sighing as Josie and Elijah exchange their vows. Miss Maisie’s voice, smooth and strong, registers as a distant sound half drowned in the sea beyond the cliff.

Lucy doesn’t look my way again, but I swear it’s like she’s the only person up there on the altar. She’s shining like a beacon, brighter and bolder than the tiny fairy lights twinkling all around her.

I’m numbly aware of the people around me sniffling and dabbing at their eyes. Except my hammering heart nearly drowns them out.

My heartbeat sounds like her name.Thump-thump. Lu-cy.

“—and by the power vested in me by the State of Massachusetts…”

Lu-cy. Lu-cy.

“…I pronounce you husband and wife…”

Lu-cy.

“You may kiss the bride.”

As applause breaks out all around me, I robotically play along, clapping my hands together as Elijah kisses his bride underneath the wisteria arch. Even then, I can’t keep my gaze from slipping over to Lucy like a magnet.

Josie and Elijah face the crowd, both of them beaming with so much joy that it makes me wonder if I might tear up, too. Lucy is crying, though she’s doing her very best to hide the angelic droplets trickling down her cheeks.

The string quartet strikes up again as the bride and groom, now husband and wife, make their way back down the aisle. When Elijah passes by me, we lock eyes and I can’t help grinning at him. That grin is still on my face when I glance back up at Lucy. She’s not paying attention to me, though. Why would she?

My heart feels like it’s lodged in my throat as Lucy and Harry approach each other, smiling brightly at the best man and maid of honor, respectively, and then they link arms as they follow Josie and Elijah at a distance down the aisle. I try to catch her eye, but Lucy is too busy laughing and waving at the other guests. Her family and friends. Her loved ones. A group of special people that still doesn’t include me.

I try not to feel the pain of knowing that I don’t mean anything to her—that I’m just an annoying ghost from her past who came back to haunt her briefly. I wish I was different. I wish this whole situation was different. I wish I was the kind of man she smiled at. This morning, I thought I might have been getting close to achieving that, but maybe it was just my imagination.

The musicians continue playing even after the official wedding party has made their exit. I stand there, somewhat stunned, until I realize that my position at the end of the aisle means that I have to move out of the way now.

Dazed, my mind still drunk on the sight of Lucy, I step out into the aisle as the crowd starts milling around the conservatory. The Blakeley staff appear to be ushering people out toward a large room adjoining the conservatory for the cocktail hour. I lose myself to the stream of guests, sort of hovering near the familiar Caltech guys, but barely paying attention.

Lu-cy. Lu-cy.Lu-cy.

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