Page 58 of You're All I Need

“You know, when she said everyone was coming, I assumed that meant everyone but you.”

Caden lifts his shoulder casually. “You know Gram.”

Derek barks out a laugh. “Yes, yes I do.” Then he turns his attention my way, extending his hand. “I don’t think we met. I’m this jerk’s better-looking, richer cousin, Derek.”

Flashing him a wide grin, I reply, “I’m Adrienne, Caden’s sugar mama.”

Derek barks out laughing. “Nice,” he states, elbowing Caden in the gut. “She’ll fit in just fine.”

We start walking toward the church. There are a few people hanging around on the front steps, and as soon as Derek sees them, he excuses himself to go say hello. Caden waves a polite greeting but makes no move to head in their direction.

After only a couple of seconds, the guests start filing inside as the start of the wedding approaches. We move up the steps, my hand tucked securely in his, and even though he appears calm and collected, I can sense a heavy dose of uneasiness surrounding us. I’m not sure what to say, what to do. Do I ask him if he’s okay? I’m sure this isn’t easy for him, especially since everyone here clearly knows his past.

An usher opens the front door as we approach. “Good afternoon,” he greets as we enter.

Another man steps forward wearing a crisp, black tuxedo. “Bride or groom?”

“We’re just gonna slip into the back,” Caden replies, squeezing my hand a little tighter.

Something hits me as we bypass the confused usher and enter the church. We slip into the back pew, while everyone else seems to be filling the front of the church first. Caden keeps his head down as we take our seats. “Can I ask you a question?” I whisper softly beneath the organ music playing through the church in hopes of no one overhearing.

“Of course,” he says, releasing my hand and sliding his arm across the back of the pew to rest against my shoulder.

Leaning into his side, I murmur, “So, the bride is your ex-fiancée, I know that, and I have come to the conclusion the groom is somehow related to you, since I assume your ex wasn’t the one related. Can I ask how?”

He keeps his gaze straight ahead for a moment before turning toward me. “The groom is my cousin, Tyler. He’s my uncle Bruce’s oldest boy. We’re only a year apart and we were pretty close growing up.”

I stare at him, his features tight but not giving away any emotion. “Your ex is marrying your cousin. Now I see why Jack was so worried about you attending.”

He shrugs. “It happened about eight years ago. I’m over it.”

The music changes just as someone slips into the pew next to Caden. I glance over and smile at Scarlet. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispers, waving and smiling politely to guests filling the pews in front of us.

“You knew I was coming,” Caden replies.

His older sister sighs dramatically. “I was talking to Adrienne.”

We turn as Caden’s grandma is escorted down the aisle and led to the second row. She smiles proudly, clearly very happy to see all her family in attendance today. “She looks so beautiful,” I whisper.

“She does,” Caden agrees, a small smile on his face.

I turn to watch his face as he takes in his grandma, who is followed by the parents of the groom and the mother of the bride. But I also get to watch the moment he observes a young boy and girl enter. The girl in an adorable white dress drops red rose petals. Several guests in attendance ooh and aah overthe little ones, both smiling brightly as they fulfil their wedding duties.

Caden tenses. There’s no missing it. His entire body goes rigid as he watches the kids walk toward the front of the church and take their positions beside the minister and groom.

When he sighs, I can’t help but lean over and whisper, “Are you okay?”

He nods tightly, his eyes locked on the little boy. “Those are their kids. Sarah is five and Scottie is eight.”

Eight.

Holy shit.

Reality slams into me as the math starts mathing. I realize why everyone was so concerned about him attending this wedding. Not only did his fiancée cheat on him with his cousin, she apparently got pregnant to boot.

The “Wedding March” begins, and everyone stands. A pretty blonde enters the church, walking beside her father. Even though she’s on the opposite side of her escort, I get a good look at her. Her makeup and hair are done to perfection and she’s beaming up at the front of the church, to where her groom awaits.

Despite the fact she’s pretty and seems happy, I hate her. I know that’s probably not appropriate, to hate someone you don’t even know, but this woman hurt Caden. She lied to him, cheated, and then broke his heart, and although I’ve never met her, I hate her.

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