Lila Jade Danger Sunshine Bailey Maddox,to be precise.
Maybe history is repeating itself. Maybe we do the things we do because we can’t help ourselves.
Because I also knew Colton Maddox had trouble written all over him. And I also can’t bring myself to regret a single minute of it.
Of course I’m aware that he’s watching me.My husband.Grumpily. With a steely resolve I don’t know exactly how to read.
It’s not fair that he’s the most beautiful man at thiswedding, eclipsing Jacob and his handsome brothers like a god among men. Even Rafe Black isn’t as…Coltonas Colton Maddox.
“I now pronounce you man and wife,” says the minister.
Jacob kisses Jessie and it’s so sweet, I’m crying again.
A hazy memory resurfaces. Ofourkiss. It was sweet too.Sosweet, I felt it all the way down to my soul. And then it turned hot.Sohot, Colton ended up carrying me back to our room where we couldn’t get close enough fast enough and we consummated our marriage right there on that revolving bed in our swanky honeymoon suite in Vegas before we could even get our clothes all the way off.
Maybe I wasn’t as drunk as I thought I was.
I wipe my tears as the music starts up. Lexi and I follow the newlyweds as part of their procession along the velvet carpet to the large white tent that’s been set up with the tables under it. Candles have been lit and there are white roses everywhere.
People are congratulating the happy couple and the crowd starts moving into the tent. Some people are finding their place cards and taking their seats.
We all watch as Jessie and Jacob take to the dance floor for their first dance.
“Lexi, hi,” a young woman says, and Lexi turns.
“Hi, Olivia.” They hug and Lexi introduces us. “This is Lila Bailey, Jessie’s maid of honor. Lila, this is Olivia Jones. Olivia works at Black Investments, where Jacob works.” I can’t help but notice Olivia could easily be asupermodel. She’s tall and waif-thin with long, lustrous dark hair.
“Nice to meet you, Olivia.”
“You too, Lila. Lexi,” Olivia’s voice lowers. “I didn’t knowColton Maddoxwas going to be here. Holy hell, I had the best night of mylifewith that guy after that party at Downtown a few months ago. But the bastard was gone by morning and never even called. I got his number through a contact, but he hasn’t returned any of my texts.”
My blood feels like it just turned to ice.
Lexi gets pulled onto the dance floor by Rafe before she can react to what Olivia just said.
I remember her name, of course.Olivia. Kara. Bianca. Jemma.
Olivia and I are both watching Colton try to make his way through the crowd. But Jessie intercepts him, laughing and pulling him onto the dance floor. “Youhaveto dance with me,” I hear her say.
Of course he does. Jacob is distracted now and she’s the bride. She gets anything she wants.
“God, it’s not fair, he’s so fuckinghot,” Olivia says to me as we watch them dance. “That to-die-for asshole is loaded andseriouslywell-hung. Hetoldme he wouldn’t call me the next day, but of course I went with it anyway.” She sounds almost unhinged about it. Almost like he broke her heart. “I would fuckingmarryhim without hesitation if he asked me—but oh no, we all know he’ll never commit. Which is a crying shame, if you ask me. I mean, justlookat him.”
I am looking at him.
“Oh my god, he’s comingoverhere.” Wild hope drips from Olivia’s hushed murmur.
He doesn’t even seem to see her. His gaze is fixed on me.
“Hi, Colton,” says Olivia, watching Colton’s arm loop itself around my waist. Possessively.
“Hey.” He’s somewhat dismissive, like he doesn’t recognize her.
Is that possible? It was thebestnight of her life and he doesn’t evenrememberher?
“Are you two together?” Olivia asks.
“We sure are,” Colton confirms, pulling me toward the dance floor. “You have a nice night now. Come on, Bailey. Dance with me.”