Page 34 of Aisle Come Back to You

“You’re probably right,” she agrees with another sigh. “But if there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that there’s nothing worse than having regrets. While I still look at your wedding day as one of my most embarrassing and traumatizing moments, I’m glad I did it; otherwise I would’ve spent the last two years wondering ‘what if?’”

“Well, unfortunately for me, I’m now the one living in that ‘what if’ scenario. I still wonder how different our lives would’vebeen if I’d actually done what I’d really wanted to do that day and called off the wedding and ran off with you instead of walking down that aisle.”

Her face goes pale as her eyes widen in surprise. “What you really wanted to do?” she repeats.

“Obviously. You had to have known that my feelings were mutual. I’ve always been in love with you, Blair,” I say. Without thinking, my hand reaches out as I place it on top of her own, my fingers falling perfectly between hers, almost like a missing piece of a puzzle that’s finally been solved. “It just felt like it was too late, and despite wanting to run, I couldn’t do that to Jenny, not on her wedding day,” I say, my voice softening into a regretful whisper.

Her eyes fall to our interlocked fingers as I brush my thumb against hers. “I loved you, too, and I want to say that I understand, but selfishly, I have to ask about me and my feelings. You say you couldn’t do that to Jenny, but what about me? Was I not worthy of any consideration?” she asks, her eyes slowly rising until they meet mine.

“That’s not fair and you know it,” I challenge as I feel her pulling her fingers away from mine, but instead of letting her off the hook, I reach for her hand and grip it tightly. “You waited too long, Blair. I would’ve chosen you had you truly given me the chance, but you left me first. You left Evergreen Grove and followed Max all around the country. So I wasn’t the only one that chose someone else. You did the same exact thing, and you did it first.”

She pulls her hand away from mine more forcefully. “Are you serious?” she scoffs. “Because that’s not how it went down andyou know it,” she echoes, repeating back the words I’d just used on her.

“What are you talking about?” I ask, my voice rising in frustration. Rewriting history is the last thing I’m going to lether do. “Of course, that’s exactly how it went down. We kissed on graduation night, then we left on our graduation trip the next day to that music festival, and it was like you couldn’t get away from me fast enough.”

She stares at me as if I’m the biggest idiot in the world, and maybe I am, but I remember everything about that trip. Watching her fling herself at that musician right after I’d finally started to believe that I was on the verge of having the person I’d always wanted left me utterly confused and emotionally shattered.

She scoffs. “Yeah, because you kissed me, and I thought that was it. I was finally going to be your person, and then Jenny showed up, and it was like I was once again your second choice.”

Now it’s my turn to stare at her. “My second choice?” I ask, throwing my hands into the air. “Blair. You’veneverbeen the second choice. Yes. I’ll be honest. I did love and care about Jenny, but she never held a candle to you. In fact, I think that’s why she finally ended things. She has, unfortunately,alwaysknown where she stood. Even with you not talking to me these past few years, you were always the main source of all of our big fights.”

I hate admitting this to her, since the last thing I want to do is blame my failed marriage on something Blair had no control over, but it’s the truth. Despite how hard I tried to move past my feelings for my old friend, it was impossible, and Jenny, unfortunately, knew that too.

Her head shakes, mouth slightly agape, as she tries to process what I’m saying. “I can’t do this. Not tonight,” she says, moving to turn toward the door as she reaches for the handle.

I should let her go. I should let her walk away once and for all. That would be the smartest decision here, but when it comes to Blair Bennett, I could never be accused of being a smart man.Instead, I reach for her arm one more time, pulling her into me and pressing my demanding lips to hers.

I fully anticipate her resistance, but she completely surrenders into my embrace, her body melting into mine. I would’ve even understood if she wanted to slap me, but instead, her hand lands gently on my cheek as her lips greedily press against mine.

I lose myself in the smell and taste of her. Her presence has always been accompanied by a heavenly aroma of vanilla and honey, but it’s nothing compared to the delicious taste of her lips. Sure, there is a slight hint of alcohol, but I can truthfully say that’s not what’s so intoxicating about her in this moment.

This isn’t our first kiss, as we did share one back in our teenage years. However, that sweet and innocent kiss pales in comparison to the passion and fiery intensity of this moment.

No longer hesitant like before, I fully embrace the moment and draw her closer to me, yearning for her heat and her touch. She seems to feel the same way as she easily crawls into my lap, her knees straddling my thighs while my hands tightly grip her waist.

Despite being in the middle of a parking lot with the risk of being seen, the passionate collision of our lips consumes my full attention. My hands are also on a mission of their own: one slides lower, giving her ass a light squeeze, while the other slowly slides up her back before cupping the nape of her neck.

My tongue caresses her bottom lip, silently pleading for entry, and she eagerly welcomes me, deepening our kiss. Her hand moves from my cheek up and into my hair, giving it a light tug. I try not to smile into the kiss, but ultimately fail.

She’s everything I’ve ever wanted, and this moment is a dream come true as I feel her body and hips grind into mine, where I’ve long since grown hard, as a soft panting moan escapes her lips. My eyes close, and I feel myself wanting to drift away.

I don’t want to stop. In fact, it almost feels impossible, but as I’m hit with an overwhelming feeling to do the right thing, I bring my hands back to her waist and carefully peel my lips away from hers. Despite the strong desire to delve into these suppressed emotions and experiences that I’ve been craving for way too long, I recognize that now is not the opportune time. Nor would it be appropriate for me to try in her current state. Not only has she been drinking tonight, but I know she’s extra emotional with everything going on with Ronnie.

“Wait one second,” I beg.If I don’t do this now, I’ll never be able to stop. “I’m not sure this is the best idea.”

I’m not sure what she was expecting me to say, but that clearly isn’t it, as her eyes go from glassy to dark in a matter of seconds and narrow. “You’re the one who kissed me,” she hisses.

“No, I know. I wanted to, and I still want to but I’m not sure…” I start as I reach a hand to adjust my glasses that had gone askew during the heat of the moment.

She interrupts. “Don’t worry. I get it,” she huffs, placing her hands on my chest as she pushes herself up and off me.

I reach for her once again, not willing to let her leave before we talk this out. “Blair, wait.”

“Don’t. Just don’t,” she says, lifting a hand to stop me as she reaches for the door and practically shoves it open.

“Blair. I don’t think you get it.” Now that the door is open, I probably shouldn’t be speaking so loudly, especially since I sound so incredibly desperate, but by all definitions, I am. This can’t be how this already shitty night ends. “This isn’t about me not wanting you.”

She waves me off as she steps out of the car and turns back to face me. “Oh, I get it. Believe me, I get it. If there’s anyone out there who gets it, it’s me.”

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