Page 19 of Endless Love: Novella

“For the better?” I asked, making her laugh gently.

“You know it’s for the better, smarty.” We paused for photos, then walked around the perimeter of the house instead of through and possibly seeing something we weren’t supposed to just yet.

“Have my parents arrived?” I asked, scanning the random clusters of people already scattered across the back lawn. Evelyn wasn’t kidding. The set-up for the ceremony was beyond what I had imagined. Rows of chairs were divided by a white runner wide enough for Magnus to walk both Aria and Valentina at the same time. On both sides of the runner, at the beginning of every row, there was a lush arrangement of roses, lilies, hydrangeas, and flowers I didn’t recognize. Along the outside of the rows, thick pillars had been set in place.

If today had turned out rainy, a tent would have been set up over them, but there was no need for that. Instead, more of the same garland was swagged between them and ran overhead until there was practically a ceiling of flowers. Every so often, a petal or two would drift down when the breeze blew.

At the end of the runner was the elaborate archway set up over the raised platform where a string quartet warmed up. Photographers wandered in and out, taking candid shots, while the officiant chatted with Magnus and Barrett. However, I couldn’t find my parents anywhere.

“I’m sure they’ll be here soon,” Evelyn offered. “It’s a shame they couldn’t spend the weekend with us.”

“I’m pretty sure they were both afraid the other one would show up,” I joked. “Believe me. Having them under the same roof would have made the weekend miserable.”

“Did you eat today?” she asked, going into Mom mode. It was probably easier to fall back on habit than to reflect on her daughters getting married in less than an hour. “I can’t have either of you passing out in the middle of the ceremony.”

“And risk getting this dirty?” Miles asked, brushing a hand down the front of his navy suit. “Aria would have my head.”

“You can wear a bib if you need to,” she retorted, laughing. “There’s a ton of food inside. I’ll fix you both a little plate and tie a napkin around your neck.”

Miles smiled fondly as he watched her retreat into the house. The roar of activity inside was audible as soon as she opened the door. “I’ve wondered so many times what my life would have been if I’d been raised by a mother like her,” he admitted.

It was rare for him to open up like that. We all knew his mother had been no picnic, putting it mildly. She had made it her life’s mission to twist him up inside, feeding him lies and blaming Magnus and Evelyn for all of her problems back when Miles was a baby. He had gone through a lot of shit to make itto where he was today, sitting on top of a tech empire, about to marry into a large, loving family like the Millers and everyone who came with them.

“To tell you the truth, I’ve wondered the same thing for years.” Gazing over the grounds again, my heart sank a little. “My parents can’t be bothered to show up early enough for us to have a few minutes before the ceremony. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were both waiting for the other one to arrive first so they wouldn’t have to bump into each other out in the courtyard.”

“I’m sure they’ll pull it together for your sake today,” he offered, though, of course, that was the sort of thing a person said at a time like this.

“Still,” I mused. “Everything turned out the way it was supposed to. Right? If anything in our lives went slightly differently, we wouldn’t be here now.”

“You sound downright philosophical. Are you sure you’re feeling well?” He touched the back of his hand on my forehead, and I shoved his arm away, both of us laughing.

We were roughly twenty minutes from the start of the ceremony by the time Dad arrived, shortly followed by my mother and her boyfriend, Scotty. It would’ve been nice if she had left him at home, considering it seemed the only reason she brought him was to show off in front of Dad.

“Do you think I could get a photo with just the two of you?” I asked her as she hung on Scotty’s arm like they’d accidentally glued themselves together.

“I’m sure you haven’t forgotten how to stand on your own two legs,” Dad muttered, scowling at her as he adjusted his cuffs and tie. “Unless you’re feeling a little unsteady in your old age.”

This was everything Valentina and I would never be. I couldn’t imagine ever speaking to her like that or disrespecting her in any way, especially in front of Isabel, no matter how old she was.

I was more sure of myself than ever by the time Colton offered to show them to their seats. “Rose texted,” he murmured, escorting Mom. I noticed she didn’t mind letting go of Scotty if it meant taking his arm instead. “They’re almost ready to go in there.”

This was it.

My pulse picked up speed, but there were no more nerves. Now, it was all about anticipation. My head was on a swivel, searching for Miles. I had lost sight of him while dealing with my parents. I caught Noah’s eye and mouthed the word Miles, but he only shrugged.

I walked around the house’s perimeter, greeting a few guests in passing, one eye trained for him. Finally, I found him on the front porch, pacing while staring at the floor and rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. The other he shook out like he was nervous, and now I noticed how rapidly he was breathing.Cold feet?He would have to be the stupidest bastard in history if he was rethinking marrying Aria.

“Hey. We’re just about ready back there.” I didn’t want to overwhelm him, considering he looked like he was in pain, but this couldn’t be avoided. “Are you feeling all right? Do you need another minute?”

“I don’t think so.” He came to a stop, then heaved a sigh. “I don’t think another minute is going to help.”

“What are you saying?” I asked, dreading the answer.

“I’m saying I don’t think I can go through with this.”

9

MILES

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