Page 1 of Only Ever Yours

Chapter 1

Ellie

I can feel the heat of his stare before I even see him.

I slowly make my way down the stairs of my best friend Haleigh’s and her soon-to-be husband’s back porch. My heels click with each deliberate step, bringing me closer to the moment I’ve been dreading.

Just one last step.

It’s all that’s left before I have to come face to face and link arms with her asshole of a brother—Jaydon.

He’s not an asshole to everyone. No, that’s just reserved for me.

It’s been that way since I first met him, back when we were still in middle school. And somehow, over the years, he’s only gotten better at pushing my buttons.

My heart rate speeds up, and heat flushes across my skin as I step down the last step to find Jaydon standingthere with the most perfect smirk plastered on his stupid, handsome face.

I offer him a fake-ass smile and reluctantly loop my arm through his. He chuckles, loving every second of this torture his sister is unknowingly putting me through. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t absolutely love my best friend. She has no idea of our history… although it wasn’t until recently that we even shared a history.

I know she’s my best friend, and we normally tell each other everything, but I’m embarrassed and mad at myself for falling for his cocky ways.

Fuck.

He’s gorgeous, but he’s an asshole.

My entire body heats just by feeling his thick arms through his dress shirt. It’s fitted just right, showing off every muscle.

I nod, letting him know I’m ready to start our long walk down the sidewalk and over to the field that has been turned into a makeshift aisle. The sun is close to setting, and it’s letting off the most romantic lighting; soft orange hues shine over the wheat fields waiting to be harvested. I helped Haleigh plan her wedding since I have my own event planning business. It’s the second wedding I helped her plan; let’s just say her first wasn’tactuallyreal.

Thank God for that.

I planned on staying quiet during the long walk towards all of the seated guests, but I should have figured he would try to talk—the perfect chance for him to be a dick.

“Why is your breathing so erratic? My touch affecting you?” I can see his cocky smirk from the corner of my eye.

I keep a fake smile plastered to my face and try my best to talk through my teeth. “Fuck you.” I grit out as I offer a fake laugh. I know we are so far away from everyone at this point that they won’t hear, but I’m gonna smile the entire way.

He’s not getting to me.

At least he will never know he's affecting me.

His deep chuckle rumbles through me, all the way to my core. “I would, but I don’t think your little boyfriend would like that too much.”

With my fake smile still in place, I take a deep breath and hold down the words I want to say. The remainder of the walk is in silence, and I’m thankful for that. When we near the preacher, we break away from one another, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the separation. He stands on one side of the ceremony, and I’m on the other.

Finally, the most romantic melody plays, and all the guests stand as my beautiful friend makes her way down the aisle accompanied by her father.

The reception is now in full swing, everyone mingling underneath the huge white tent, beautifully decorated with multi-tiered chandeliers and fairy lights strung about. The dance floor is just starting to get packed with more guests letting loose, courtesy of the open bar. The bride and groom had their first dance together, and the partying began.

Thankfully, they didn’t make Jaydon and me dance together; I wouldn’t have been able to handle his hands all over me.

My body is a traitor.

I spot Haleigh in her beautiful, glistening gown walking near, and I go in to give her a hug.

“Hey, my gorgeous bestie, thanks for funding the drinks tonight.”

We both giggle.

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