Page 85 of Traitor

Susan patted my arm. “You still love him and, judging by the way he keeps scanning the crowd every few seconds, he’s in love with you too.”

Louisa stepped up in time to overhear the last bit of the conversation. “Who, Mike? I’ve known that boy since he was thirteen and I can tell you that he is a wreck right now.”

I found myself wanting to catch a glimpse of him, just to see for myself, but I had to remember why I was here. For Elizabeth. Both moms pulled me into a hug before going to get Kaden from David.

Elizabeth was engrossed in a conversation with the wedding planner about job openings so my guilt over stealing her spotlight lessened slightly. I also began wondering if she’d invited people from work and tried to discreetly look around a topiary for Sandra. Elizabeth had left on good terms, unlike me.

I hadn’t told her about that situation and now, I wished like hell that I had. What if she’d shown up? Mike was single now; there was nothing stopping him from hooking up with her again. What if they fell in love and got married? Now, I was certain that I was going to hurl.

Susan and Louisa had faith that he was still in love with me, but I knew that he thought with his dick most of the time, so I was a little more reluctant to accept their words.

The music kicked on and the wedding terrier grabbed me, stuffed a bouquet into my hands, and sent me down the aisle. I’d rehearsed this part hundreds of times in the last month; yet never imagined that he’d react to me like he was. His mouth fell open and his eyes narrowed until I was the only person he saw. He was wearing dark denim jeans and a cobalt blue button up that matched my strapless tea length dress perfectly.

I would only ever belong to him.

He’d sparked a fire in me—one that would never burn out. He could torch everything around me and my heart would still turn over in my chest when I saw him. It didn’t matter the destruction, I would never love anyone like I loved him. And that scared me.

Elizabeth came out with her father right on cue and within seconds, various guests began leaving their seats to join our procession. I skipped back to join her and we linked arms, just like we’d practiced.

She’d wanted to surprise David with a flash mob performance. I wanted to say that it worked, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of Mike. I was a moth and he was the flame, blinding me with his light.

I took some solace in the fact that he looked as wretched as I felt. When he caught my eye, he winked and gave me that familiar cocky grin.

I knew what the slight ache between my legs meant—my lady-bits had betrayed me yet again. She’d been good with experimentation when needed—lazy Friday nights spent in bed with a vibrator. It was controllable. Ever since him though, the desire had grown to wildfire proportions—unmanageable and untamed.

The bastard had hardwired my vagina to need him.

Elizabeth tripped right as she made it up to the front with me, but luckily, David managed to catch her before she hit the ground.

Once the officiant began speaking, I saw a big problem with David and Elizabeth’s planning. Mike and I were the only members of the wedding party, and as he refused to take his eyes off of me even once, every word felt like it was being directed at us.

David gripped Elizabeth’s hands in his and recited the vows he’d written. “Six years ago, I pledged many things to you, including my faithfulness. I broke that vow and almost lost you forever because of it. The past two years have been some of the most trying in our marriage. I never imagined that I would face losing you, or the overwhelming despair I would feel at that prospect. Thanks to our enduring love, we made it out of the fire unscathed, and I am a lucky man that I get to continue doing life with you.

“Others come and go, Beth, but you are the constant in my life. I will love you until there isn’t a breath left in my body. Once again, I promise to love you, honor you and keep you, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live.”

Mike nodded along with David’s vows and I had to look away, choosing instead to focus on the fact that Kaden was shoving handfuls of grass into his mouth at Louisa’s feet. She caught me staring and gave a puzzled look until I discreetly pointed down. Her eyes went wide as she dug it out and put him back on her lap.

I made it through Elizabeth’s vows by staring through Mike and toward the outer edges of the orchard, the tears in my eyes distorting everything. The late afternoon sun broke through the cover of the trees enough for me to know that I’d be leaving with a sunburn.

David leaned in and kissed Elizabeth as everyone clapped and I took a deep breath. I’d made it through the ceremony. Now, to get through pictures and the reception.

I was going to need to find the bar as soon as possible.

“Malibuand pineapple—that’s got to be the cutest thing ever. You have a theme drink!” My words were starting to run together, but that was to be expected with as many beverages as I’d consumed.

Elizabeth nodded with a bemused look on her face. “Yeah, you’ve told me that three times now. Are you having a good time?”

I looked around at the wildflowers in mason jars and the fairy lights twinkling from the eaves of the old barn and nodded. “I am—it’s perfect.”

I hadn’t seen Sandra or Betsy and with the exception of pictures, I’d avoided Mike by faking the need to go to the ladies’ room. A lot. The photographer had insisted on getting a shot of just the two of us. His arm was around my waist before I could protest.

“Smile for the camera, Darlin’.”

Elizabeth looked around proudly. “It’s a lot different than the wedding in Galveston, but it’s fitting for us.”

I took another drink and blurted out, “Sandra isn’t here, is she?”

She shook her head and leaned in. “No, Mike requested that she not be invited. Would you happen to know anything about that?”

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