Page 9 of Sunflower

Amelia thrust her hand around me to shake Callum’s hand.

“Oh, uh, he doesn’t shake—” I stopped talking when Callum happily took Amelia’s hand in both of his and his eyes glazed over, letting me know he was channeling. Just like when he’d shaken my hand, the smile dropped from his face, but where he’d shown horror at what he’d heard in my head, his eyes reflected nothing but rage at what he heard in Amelia’s.

Unlike the minute or so he’d held my hand, he let go of Amelia’s hand mere seconds after he clasped it.

He’d obviously gotten quicker at channeling.

“Charmed,” he said in a clipped tone to her before shooting me a sympathetic wince.

How curious.

The only thing that made me take my attention off him was the sound of the ceremonial wedding march starting up through thehidden speakers in the ceiling. It was time for my dad to marry Callum’s mom.

Everyone in the room went silent and turned as one to look for Erin to enter. Hotel workers were stationed at the entry, and together they pulled the double doors open to reveal Erin waiting on the other side, her beaming smile turning positively radiant when her eyes met my dad’s.

I felt myself inhale sharply at the stunning pale green dress she was wearing. It flowed from a high waist with layers upon layers of tulle billowing out as she gracefully moved down the aisle, but it was the beadwork on her fitted bodice that complimented her vibrant red hair that was what skyrocketed the dress from beautiful to simply exquisite.

When she arrived to stand next to dad and took his hands in hers, I noticed that the color of her dress matched his tie. It was a beautiful touch.

They couldn’t stop goofily staring at each other while the music wound down and everyone resumed their seats.

“Oh God, what the hell is she wearing?” Amelia muttered under her breath as she sat, just loud enough for me to hear, but no-one else. She shook her head and pursed her lips in clear displeasure.

I recoiled at her words. I knew I didn’t know a damn thing about fashion, but Erin looked fucking fantastic, and this was herwedding. You don’t say these sorts of things at a person’s wedding. Erin had always been so kind to Amelia. I didn’t know where this sudden vitriol had come from.

I sat down to listen to the minister perform the ceremony, but I couldn’t relax. My fingers grasped the edge of my seat until my knuckles were white. I knew things were bad between Amelia and me, but how had they become this terrible? I didn’t understand.

The realization that our relationship was irrevocably damaged beyond repair hit me like a ton of bricks. There was no way I could spend one more week with someone who was so nasty. I’d been putting up with her derision and whining for far too long. It was time to cut my losses.

Mind made up, I resolved to break up with her as soon as we got back to college. I couldn’t do it here, not when we were at my father’s wedding. The spotlight should remain fully on him and my new stepmother.

With my thoughts going round and round in circles, I didn’t immediately recognize the slight pressure against my left pinkie, still clutching at my seat.

Frowning, I glanced down to find a callused finger sliding gently against mine, coaxing it gently away from the harsh grip it had on the cushion. I inhaled sharply, my jaw dropping open at my shock. I turned my head to stare at Callum, only to see him focused on our parents reciting their vows.

A slight grin graced his face, letting me know he’d seen me looking at him, and his pinkie hooked around mine and held it tight just for a moment before he released the pressure, leaving our pinkies joined loosely.

Finally, he glanced in my direction, and I noticed the familiar glazed look in his eyes that showed he was channeling. I gulped nervously until he softly smiled and winked at me, then returned his attention to the ceremony happening in front of us.

We had barely spoken to each other at all, but with that one simple gesture, I understood he was asking my forgiveness for how he’d treated me three and a half years ago.

And damned if that didn’t make me happier than either of our parents.

Chapter Four

Joey

Oncethereceptionspeecheshad concluded, I went to the bar to grab a bottle of water.

While I waited, I loosened my tie to let myself breathe again when Callum appeared and leaned on the bar-top next to me.

“Hey, man.” His voice was just as deep as I remembered it being, and yup, it still gave my heart a little kick-start when I heard it.

“Callum.” I nodded at the bartender when he placed the bottle in front of me, then turned to face my new stepbrother. “Beautiful ceremony, wasn’t it?”

The softest smile appeared on his face. “Yes, it was.”

Our attention was drawn to the dancefloor when a cheer went up as our parents kissed as they slow-danced. Erin pulled away from Dad and hid her blush in the crook of his neck, both of them grinning the entire time.

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