Page 39 of The Love Trick

I spin on my heels and rush for the door, now knowing I reallyamlate.

But as I close the door, it hits me that the only thing misbehaving … is my heart.

“Oh my goodness,” Aurora drawls as she sips her drink. “I’msoexcited for this. I used toloveHula dancers as a kid.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s because you wereobsessedwithLilo & Stitch,” I tell her, laughing to myself. I sip on my drink and eye her three other bridesmaids, all of whom have their eyes on the stage.

“Yeah, well, it is what it is.” She giggles.

“I think it’s cute,” Gabby, her maid of honor, says, looking back at the two of us. “And you know what else I think is cute, Addy?” She meets my gaze with a sly grin. “Your boyfriend.” The other two immediately turn and nod in agreement.

“He is pretty cute,” I admit, feeling like I’m breaking the rules but knowing that I’m not. I mean, I’ve always thought Blaze was smokin’ hot.

But you know, that’s not really something you should be telling saidfriend.

“I love the two of you together,” Gabby says, flipping her dark hair over her shoulder. “Like seriously. I mean, I’ve seen the two of you before, and even then, I just knew you’d end up together.”

“Right?” Aurora jumps in. “I never understood why they weren’t together. I mean, have youseenhow he looks at her?Ugh.”

I force a smile, one that I’m trying hard not to freak out behind. “I don’t think he looks at me any differently than anyone else…”

“Look at her.” Another bridesmaid, Vera, giggles. “Being all modest about her sexy NHL boyfriend, who literallygawksat her twenty-four seven. I mean, the way he was looking at you on the dance floor last night—it was like there was no one else in the room. I wassojealous. I swear my husband forgets I even exist half the time.”

“He does not.” Gabby swats her arm. “You’re just a few years past the honeymoon phase and three kids deep. He still loves you just as much—probablymorethan he used to. You guys are just in a different place in life.”

“I’d love to be at that place,” I blurt out. “I mean, with Blaze, you know?” I cover for my mishap. “I think once two people make it past the fun part and get into the nitty gritty—going through the ups and downs of life together—that’s when relationships really become beautiful.”

“Look at you.” Aurora smiles and nudges me. “It’s so great to see you be more optimistic about love. I swear, you were becoming such a Debbie Downer, so doom and gloom about love. It was starting to get concerning.”

“That’s what happens when you’re forever alone.” The third bridesmaid, Lilly, sighs. “I can’t even get a guy to look at me longer than two seconds, much less go out on a date with me. So I can definitely relate to how Addy used to feel…”

“You’re gorgeous,” I tell her, giving her a sweet smile. I relate more than she even realizes. “And I know you’ll find the right person. You just have to be patient.”

“Yeah.” Gabby gives an enthusiastic nod. “I mean, just look at Addy. It took her a whole decade to finally figure out that Blaze was the right one.”

“Yeah, butIalways knew,” Aurora hums, meeting my gaze.

I raise my eyebrow, genuinely shocked. “What? How could you have known? When did you know?”

“Oh, come on.” Aurora laughs, then sips her drink. “He’s always gone out of his way for you. I mean, just look at how he was there for you through all your bad relationships. I remember when Nate broke it off with you at that dinner party, and Blaze was right there. You cried and he babied you for the rest of the night, doing whatever you needed.”

“That’ssosweet. He didn’t even care that you were upset over someone else. All he saw was you.” Vera clasps her hands together. “Ugh.To be loved like that.”

“Yeah,” I choke out. “He’s definitely amazing.”

“Amazing enough to agree to join Robert on his bachelor party escapade.” Aurora groans, rolling her eyes. “I swear, Robert is such a nerd.”

Just as she says the words, a heavy drumbeat fills the air around us, and the audience breaks into applause. The lights dim to just the tiki torches, and I turn my attention to the stage, where dancers in grass skirts waltz out. I cheer for them, joining the other girls. However, as they dance, Ican’tstop my mind from running rampantly back to Blaze.

I wonder if he’s having fun?

Or if anyone is talking about me to him.

What’s he saying about me?

I know he’s probably saying crazy nice and untrue things. I zone out on the dancers as I get lost in my thoughts. Everyone keeps pointing out how cute we are and the special way he looks at me.

Does he really look at me like that?

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