Page 86 of It's Complicated

“Sure, dude.” Aiden widens his arms. “It’s not like I have anything else important to do, like getting married or whatnot,” he adds, teasingly.

I ignore the banter. “Where did you go after coming to see me on Tuesday night?”

“Ah.” Aiden contemplates me for a few seconds. “If you’re asking, I bet you already know the answer, don’t you?”

“Okay, why did you go to her house?”

“To talk some sense into her and give her some of her own medicine.” Aiden fake-punches himself on the cheek. “Because I’m such a good doctor.”

So he went to see Lori to advocate for me. I feel like such a lousy friend for immediately jumping to the conclusion that he was there on his own agenda.

“And did you… talk some sense into her?”

Aiden gives me a fish-eating smile before making a zipper-over-mouth gesture. “My lips are sealed. If you want to know where Lori stands, you’re going to have to talk to her.”

“Aww, man, I bet running away didn’t help my case.”

“No, she’s been a Nervous Nellie for the past week. But I told her you were coming today.” He pats me on the shoulder. “So be ready, she knows you’re here.”

I smile and shake my head, muttering, “I love you, man.”

Aiden laughs. “Love you, too, bro.”

We hug just as the groom’s brother comes to call us. It’s time to get to the altar.

The hotel’s wedding coordinator escorts us to a grand ballroom with red velvet wall panels and dangling chandeliers. Each side of the room has been filled with chairs where the guests are already seated. Plentiful flower arrangements and scattered lanterns surround the seating areas, turning the ballroom into a mix between an enchanted forest and a European Palace.

We walk down the aisle and take our places beside the ivory-draped altar. I’m right by Aiden’s side to the left of the minister, my hands behind my back, trying to avoid eye contact with the guests below.

I care about only one guest, and she’s about to make her entrance.

After a short while, the wedding coordinator motions to a loud fanfare, and all heads turn to look at the ballroom door. Aiden takes a deep intake of breath, but probably not as deep as mine.

I think I spot Lori standing in the doorway. But it’s such a brief glimpse before she disappears behind the curtain, I’m not sure it was her.

Then the first notes of a classical tune begin to play. A flower girl walks into the room. She is a miniature version of Kirsten, with big green eyes and long blonde curls—must be a cousin. She’s wearing a white dress that makes her look even cuter. The girl throws white rose petals along the aisle as she walks to thedelight and appreciation of all the guests until she takes her spot in the front row.

The maid of honor is next. My heart thumps against my chest as the bridesmaids each make their entrance into the room. Until there’s only Lori left.

I hold my breath until she’s at the doorway, and then the air hitches in my throat as she looks up—right at me.

36

LORI

I wait behind the curtain with my nerves on edge, my heart pounding in my chest. From the other side, I can hear the murmurs of appreciation as the flower girl makes her entrance—she’s the cutest little bunny. Britney is next. I stare at the points of my shoes, avoiding everybody else’s gazes.

Kendall goes in a short minute later.

Then Erin until only Kirsten and I are left standing behind.

My hands are slippery on the small bouquet I’m holding, and if my pulse speeds up any further, I might need a trip to the emergency room.

The wedding coordinator motions for me to hurry out of the backstage. For a moment, I’m tempted to flee. Ever heard of a runaway bridesmaid? This would be a first.

The coordinator beckons me again, and I hesitate only an instant before I walk past the curtain right in the center of the aisle.

On instinct, my eyes dart straight to Jace’s, and I’m startled to find his icy-blue, direct gaze on me. Eye contact is a streak of fire sizzling through me from the tips of my hair to my toes. My cheeks heat.

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