Page 27 of My Best Friend's Billionaire Brother
And as much as I wanted to call her, text her, show up at her apartment—I held back. And maybe that was wrong too. Hell, I don’t know. I fucked up, and now Ikeepfucking up.
At first, I thought maybe I could handle this after the wedding. Because I couldn’t do anything to potentially ruin Chloe and Turner’s day. I’d already done enough. So I thought maybe all of this could wait until after the wedding. Then I’d tell Josie my feelings and we’d work it out like adults. Whateveritis.
But then last night had happened. Despite trying to keep my distance all day, there I was, ripping Josie’s dress apart and coming face to face with the very thing I desire more than anything in the world with nothing to stop me.
And I’d let that get the best of me yet again.
Resulting in Josie running from the roomin tears.
I’d hung out in her room waiting for her for a while before I realized that maybe space was the most respectful thing I could give her.
I’m sick to my stomach just thinking about it. I’m an asshole. A selfish asshole.
A commotion behind me has me turning around to see Turner and the guys clattering through the front door, breathing heavy from their run.
“Hey, man,” Turner says when he sees me.
I wave in response.
“We should start getting ready soon,” he says. “Don’t wanna risk being late. Your sister would kill us.” He chuckles.
I stand, following him and the rest of the guys back toward our rooms. There’s a whole lot more my sister would kill me for if she knew.
We spend the next few hours getting ready, and as the hour of the wedding draws nearer, Turner is getting more and more antsy. Although not in a cold feet kind of way. In an almost giddy kind of way. His love for my sister would be obnoxious if it wasn’tmy sister,who I want the best for.
A few minutes before the ceremony, I exit the mansion to glance over to the villa next door. The vast backyard facing the ocean has been decked out with tents, chairs, and a beautiful arch under which Turner and Chloe will exchange their vows. People are already filing in and filling the seats.
I head back into the room, and after a few minutes, the wedding coordinator comes in with a broad smile across her face. “It’s go-time guys,” she says, flashing bright white teeth.
Turner straightens his suit, glancing in the mirror. “Do I look okay?” he asks me.
I clap him on the shoulder. “You look great,” I tell him. “Truly.”
He stares at me for a minute, then pulls me in for a hug. He pulls back, shaking his head as if he wants to say more but can’t find the words.
“Let’s go,” I say for him.
He smiles.
We follow the wedding coordinator out of the mansion and through the villa, where we walk up the aisle one by one, taking our places at the head by the officiant. I glance out over the sea of elegantly dressed attendants, smiling at relatives I recognize.
We stand there for a few minutes, the nervous tension in the air palpable. And then the music starts, and the bridesmaids begin their descent down the aisle. Obviously, I know that Josie is coming, but I still can’t stop my heart from beating just a little faster when I lay eyes on her.
She appears at the end of the aisle, her blue satin dress hugging her curves just right, her brown hair falling in elegant waves around her shoulders. She holds her bouquet tightly in front of her, smiling as she walks down the aisle. I can tell she’s avoiding eye contact with me, and I almost feel as though I’m staring her down, but I can’t help but watch her every move.
My breath hitches in my throat, my eyes glued to her. Her tears from last night flash before my eyes, anda wave of guilt spirals over me. I tear my gaze away from her as she takes her place opposite me, turning and facing the crowd.
The music changes, the attendees stand, and suddenly there’s Chloe, her arm wrapped with my dad’s. He leans over to whisper something in her ear, something that gets her eyes tearing up. She glides down the aisle, and I find myself turning to look at Turner. And there, in his face, is an expression that might just be seared into my brain forever. Complete and utter adoration. Joy, relief, excitement, love. It’s a look I so rarely see.
A look, I suddenly realize, that encapsulates every feeling I have for Josie. The look I just might have given her mere moments ago.
As Chloe reaches the top of the aisle, turning to give my dad a hug, my mind is racing. As I watch my sister and my best friend say their vows, promising to love each other for the rest of their lives, I can’t help glancing past them and at Josie. We’re facing each other, only Turner and Chloe standing in our way. Fora brief moment, she meets my gaze. I’m frozen to the spot, pinned by her look, desperate for more. But just as quickly as it happened, it’s gone, and she’s back to watching Chloe.
As soon as the officiant declares them husband and wife, Turner leans in to give Chloe a kiss. They turn to the crowd, throwing their hands in the air and laughing as they make their way down the aisle.
It’s now that Josie and I are meant to walk down the aisle together. I try to meet her gaze, but she ignores me, silently placing her arm through mine and smiling at the crowd as we walk slowly down the aisle. The feel of her hand on my arm is sending shockwaves through my body in every way possible. I desperately want her to never let go. To pull her away somewhere where we can talk.
Because we need to talk.
