Page 55 of Unbearable

“I wanted to make sure we had enough time to explore the town you if wanted to,” he said.

I sat up a little in bed, my eyes slowly adjusting to the small bit of light streaming in through the curtains. I could never go back to sleep once I was awake, so I decided I might as well get up and find some caffeine.

Trent threw the comforter off, sliding his legs over the side of the bed toward me. I peered up at him, giving him a small, flat smile.

“There are a few local shops within walking distance we could check out.” He smiled, grabbing the back of his neck. “Wedding is at five, so we have some time.”

“Sure,” I replied, the words feeling hollow on my tongue.

Caffeine in hand, we walked the quaint streets that reminded me of Woodstone Falls. Local shops lined the sidewalks, each one offering its own unique treasures. I couldn’t resist the urge to wander into a few, losing myself in a local art shop and clothing store for a while. Trent stayed by my side, allowing me to explore wherever I pleased.

We stumbled upon a bookstore, tucked away in a quiet corner. The friendly greeting from the old man behind the counter put me at ease. We shared a brief exchange before he left us to browse the store. Lost in the pages of a mystery novel that grasped my attention from the first page, I glanced up to find Trent equally engrossed in a history book. Over the course of the afternoon, the tension between us had slowly dissipated.

At one point, he glanced over the top of his book and caught me looking at him. “Find anything good?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Just a little mystery,” I replied with a playful grin. “What about you? Brushing up on your history?”

“Always,” he said with a wink. “I need to stay sharp to impress you.”

“Oh, shut up, you big flirt.” I smacked him with the book, which earned me a glare from the store owner.

Trent’s eyebrows raised at me, teasing. “Don’t go getting us kicked out before I can buy you that book,” he said.

“You are relentless today,” I replied, not knowing how exactly to take his change of heart.

He chuckled and returned to the pages of his book.

When I finally looked up, I realized it was already afternoon. Trent made good on his promise and bought my book. My cheeks flushed, and I tucked my new purchase under my arm, feeling a flutter of excitement in my chest, even if I didn’t know how to feel about that.

As we walked side by side, the ease and warmth between us made the quaint town of Mount Leston feel even more magical.

I stepped out of the bathroom to see Trent putting on his dress shoes. He stalled and looked me up and down.

“Wow, Dotty.” His throat bobbed before he swallowed. “You look amazing.”

“Thank you.” I felt the blush creep up my cheeks, despite my attempts to will it away. “Who knew you could clean up?” I gestured to his suit.

Trent was every girl’s dream with his effortlessly styled hair, a stubbled jaw that could cut glass, and a perfectly fitted suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and muscular frame. His piercing green eyes seemed to hold a hint of amusement as he flashed a confident smile that could disarm anyone. I tried to hide how charmed I was, but the way he effortlessly commanded attention with his presence made it difficult to focus on anything else.

“Let’s get downstairs. I’d love to introduce you to some of the guys before the ceremony.” He gestured to the door.

“Let’s do it,” I said, and he placed his hand on the small of my back.

The air in the elevator seemed charged with static.

I really don’t know what it was about elevators, but they always seemed to amplify whatever energy was in the air. I stood on the opposite wall and managed to keep the thoughts of what Trent might look likeoutof the suit from my head.

The bell dinged, signifying we were finally on our floor, and I stepped out quickly.

I walked into the ceremony room inside the lodge, Trent trailing behind me. The room was beautiful, exuding an enchanting charm that captivated me immediately. Everything was bathed in the soft glow of twinkling fairy lights and candles. The beautiful exposed beams didsomething to my architect’s heart as they further accentuated the rustic elegance of the space.

“Wow, it is beautiful in here,” I said, gesturing to all the decorations.

Trent looked over at me. “It really is.” My heart skipped in my chest, and I glanced down at my hands, unable to keep his gaze.

Trent grabbed us each a glass of champagne and handed one to me. I nodded my thanks and turned to my right. Then my heart fell into my stomach.

Jared.

---