Page 49 of The Love Trick

But whenever that happens, I’ll be her friend and support her like she deserves.

Because by then, I’ll have had a chance to put some distance between my heart and this fake dating arrangement.

Right?

Chapter Eighteen

Addy

Imakeittothe reception, relieved that my duties as a bridesmaid have finally come to an end. I straighten out my short purple dress—an outfit Aurora required all the bridesmaids to change into. She changed out of her mermaid-style wedding gown to a flowy knee-length white dress for the reception.

I spot Blaze in a corner and make my way through the crowd toward him. But a hand grabs my arm, stopping me. I spin around to see my great-grandma staring me down.

“Hi,” I choke out, forcing a smile. “Are you enjoying the wedding?”

She huffs. “I don’t know why I had to fly all the way to the beach just to sit in a church.”

I laugh. “It’s what Aurora wanted.”

“I know.” She sighs. “Don’t you do this to me. If we’re flying to the beach, I want to sit at the beach.”

That’s never going to happen for me, but…“Deal,” I tell her with a smile.

“I like your boyfriend.”

My jaw almost drops. “Really?”

“Yeah. He’s worked hard for himself, and that shows that he’s the kind of man who will stay through anything—not to mention, he’s been putting up with your antics for a long time now. I really like you two together.”

I blush as I realize that’s the biggest compliment she’s ever given me…

And it’s all a lie.

My heart sinks deep in my chest. “Um, thank you,” I finally manage to say, and then nod toward him. “I need to get to him, though. I haven’t really seen him all day.”

“Ah, don’t let him slip away.” She grins at me for the first time in forever.

I nod and jet off, swallowing the lump in my throat. My great-grandmaneverapproves of anyone—Robert didn’t even make the cut for the first year. Needless to say, I wasnotexpecting this type of reaction to dating Blaze fromanyof my family members, much less from her.

I try to breathe as the ocean breeze blows through the outdoor reception. Blaze is no longer wearing his jacket, his sleeves now rolled up to his elbows… Andugh,he looks so handsome.

“Hey,” I say, unable to force a smile.

He turns to me, the biggest grin growing across his face. “Hey, I was hoping you’d show up soon. I’ve been stuck talking to everyone, and you know how I feel about socializing.”

I try to laugh, but it comes out forced. “My great-grandma approves of you,” I blurt. “And she’s never approved ofanyonebefore.”

His smile fades, and even if he doesn’t totally understand the gravity of what I’m saying, I thinkhe gets it. “I’ve just been around a long time, Addy. That’s all. I’m sure…”

I nod as his voice trails off. “You’re sure that she’ll approve of the real one someday, right? That’s what you were going to say.” He nods, but there’s something in his eyes that causes me to pause. “Isthat what you were going to say?”

“Yeah,” he replies. “I’m sure it’ll all work out the way it’s supposed to.”

“That’s a good way to look at it,” I reason, grabbing a cup of punch. I’m not drinking any alcohol tonight. I did enough of that last night.

As I sip my punch, the DJ announces the cutting of the cake.

Blaze slides his hand around my waist, and I catch my breath, trying to hide the way it makes me feel weak in the knees. I swallow the feeling and let him guide me to a front-row view of the cake-cutting ceremony. I watch it play out before my eyes like a movie, my sister and Robert shoving cake in each other’s faces.

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