Page 105 of My Best Friend's Mardi Gras Wedding

“I do love her.I don’t want to do this toyou,” Andrew said.“But I had to make a grand gesture for Tori.She knows me.She knows what this means.She knows that I’d never do it this way if I wasn’t serious.”

Holy crap.This was…awful.

Tori shot a look at the door behind the groomsmen that would lead out of the sanctuary.She could just take off running.It wasn’t like anyone was going to tackle her or anything.

She loved Andrew.She really did.But this was crazy.

She looked back at her friend.Her dear friend.A man who, a year and a half ago, could have said this and she would have fallen into his arms.Because he was a good man.Who cared about her.

But she deserved anamazingman.Whounderstoodher.Wholovedher.

She’d had a taste of that now.Josh got her.He didn’t protect her from her emotions and passions and instinct.He appreciated it all.He liked herbecauseofall of that instead of in spite of it.He encouraged it all.

She wasn’t in love with Andrew.She couldn’t be.Because she was in love with Josh.

“I can’t believe that—”

“I have something to say,” Tori said loudly, interrupting Paisley.The other woman rounded on her and Tori took a quick step back, holding up her hands in defense.“Hang on.”

Did she like big gestures?Yes.She’d been suppressing them because of Andrew and her dad, but yes, a big, grand gesture with her emotions spilling out all over and making a mess of cupcake frosting and pig poop was definitely her thing.

And she’d found a guy she could do that with.

That felt amazing.The idea that she could let it all hang out.That her passions and love and affection and joy didn’t have to be channeled only toward her animals.

She stepped forward.“Andrew, I do love you.You’re like a big brother to me.You’re a lifelong friend.You’re someone I will always care about.But I’m notinlove with you.”

“You don’t want me to marry Paisley,” Andrew said.

Tori glanced at Paisley.“I don’t.But not forme.”She looked back to Andrew.“Foryou.I don’t think you belong together.”

“Youbitch,” Paisley hissed.

Tori shrugged.“Sorry.But youbothdeserve to be with someone who really appreciates you.Who makes you feel special.Who gets you in a way no one else does.Who loves all of the things that make you quirky and weird and different from everyone else.”She looked out into the congregation but couldn’t see Josh through the crowd of people craning their necks and holding up their phones to be sure they didn’t miss a moment of the drama.“I’ve found someone like that.”She took a deep breath and turned to fully face the church pews.“Josh Landry, I am in love with you.I know it’s been fast and maybe that seems crazy.But walking into that bar last Mardi Gras was the most important thing I’d ever done.Until I walked onto your dock a couple of days ago.”

There was a beat of silence.Then the congregation all started shifting and turning to look around, trying to find Josh.

Even the minister went up on his tiptoes, peering into the crowd.

But there was no response from Josh.He didn’t stand up.He didn’t call out, “I love you too!”. There was no big, hot Cajun stalking up the aisle to throw her over his shoulder and carry her off into their happily ever after.

Because he wasn’t there.

It took her a couple of minutes to realize it.But it became painfully clear when she finally saw his seat between the shifting bodies between there and where she was standing.

It was empty.

Josh had left.

He also hadn’t heard a word she’d just said in front of four hundred some odd people.On videos that would soon be uploaded to the internet.

Tori felt a cold trickle of hurt and humiliation go down her spine.Her stomach knotted.He’d justleft?

“Tori.”

She looked over at Andrew.His expression was one of sympathy and concern.

“He’s not here.”

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