Page 14 of Dash to Me
ATLAS
We getto the venue with the wedding cake with little time to spare. I jump out of the truck, and we go our separate ways. Right now, our focus is on Ryan and Jenna. We can figure out our shit later.
“Finally! I was worried you guys weren’t going to make it.” Ryan has my tux hanging up, waiting for me. “Get dressed real quick and we gotta get out there.”
I nod, grabbing the tux and slipping into the side room to change. My fingers fumble with the buttons as I rush. The whole drive here, all I could think about was her—the way she looked at me, how her lips felt against mine. But right now, my best friend needs me standing next to him while he marries the love of his life.
“Dude, you good?” Ryan asks, poking his head in. “You look like you’re somewhere else.”
“Yeah, man. Just tired from the cake rescue mission.” I straighten my bow tie, the lie slipping out easily.
Ryan slaps my shoulder. “You’re a lifesaver. Jenna would’ve lost it if there was no cake.”
We head outside to the garden where rows of white chairs face an archway draped with flowers. The guests are alreadyseated, a sea of pastels and summer suits. The string quartet plays softly as we take our positions. I spot her immediately. She’s wearing a pale blue dress. Our eyes lock for a second, but she looks away.
The music changes, and everyone stands. Jenna appears at the far end of the aisle, radiant in white. Ryan’s face transforms beside me—pure joy, certainty, love. That’s what I want. As Jenna glides toward us, I make a decision. After this ceremony, after the cake is cut and the toasts are made, I’m going to talk to her. Really talk to her. Because whatever this is between us—it deserves more than being pushed aside as “shit to figure out later.”
When the officiant pronounces Ryan and Jenna, husband and wife, the crowd erupts in cheers. I hug my best friend, whispering congratulations in his ear, genuinely happy for him despite the storm brewing inside me.
During the photos, I’m on autopilot. Smile. Turn. Arm around Ryan. Groomsmen together. Family shot. All while I’m rehearsing what I’m going to say to her. At the reception, I fulfill my best man duties—directing guests, checking in with vendors, making sure everything runs smoothly. The DJ announces the first dance, and I watch from the sidelines as Ryan and Jenna sway together, lost in their own world.
“They look happy,” her voice comes from beside me, soft and hesitant.
I turn to find her holding two champagne flutes. She offers one to me.
“They do,” I agree, taking a sip to steady my nerves. “Listen, about earlier?—”
“We should probably talk,” she says at the same time.
We both laugh, the tension cracking.
“Dance with me first?” I ask, setting down my glass and offering my hand.
She hesitates, glancing around as if checking who might be watching, then places her palm against mine. “One dance.”
I lead her to the edge of the dance floor, away from the spotlight. As I place my hand on her waist, she steps closer than necessary. The scent of her perfume—something floral and subtle—fills my senses.
“I didn’t plan for any of this to happen,” I say quietly, just for her ears.
“Neither did I.” Her eyes meet mine, vulnerability clear in them. “But it did.”
“So what now?” I ask as we move slowly to the music.
The song ends too soon, but I don’t let go of her hand as we walk off the dance floor. Instead, I guide her toward the French doors that lead to the venue’s gardens, away from prying eyes.
The change of scenery is good because I can think without interruptions. “Let’s have that talk.”
She sits down on a stone bench. “You’re Ryan’s best friend.”
“And? From your brother’s phone call, he’ doesn’t seem to care. Which honestly is a huge weight off my shoulders. So what is it?”
She turns away. “Remember that party at Ryan’s last year? When you came into town for the weekend, you helped jump my car in that snowstorm?”
Oh god! Of course I remember. She was wearing a blue sweater with mistletoe on it. After I jumped her car, I insisted on following her home, because I am a gentleman.
“That’s when I knew this is going to be trouble, but you never showed anything. So once again, I tried my best to forget about how close we got that night.”
“Ev, I didn’t think I was good enough for you. You always seemed so…”
