Page 105 of Fear of Love
“Josie, you look like a princess,” Evelyn said, hands cradled to her chest as she looked at us.
Josie did look incredible in her wedding dress, a slightly off-white gown that had thin straps of stitched lace. The front had embroidered flowers along the bust that dipped into a V. Binding at the waist, the rest of the dress fell around her in wisps of fabric, little intricate flowers accenting every part of the dress.
From the moment Josie tried it on, we all knew it was the one.
Josie’s brown hair was curled and left down, only a small bit pinned back on the side. The makeup artist made her look beautiful but not overly done. Wyatt was going to melt when he saw her.
As everyone ‘oohed and aahed’ at Josie’s wedding dress, I glanced at the door. I really wanted to go find Landon before the wedding started. I only had an hour to do so, thanks to getting ready and all the pictures.
I looked over and found Tasha staring at me. “Go,”she mouthed, gesturing with her head. Knowing this was my onlychance, I turned on my heels and quickly slipped out before anyone could stop me. I knew Tasha would run interference if someone asked where I was.
My heels clicked on the floor, and my dress billowed around as I walked. According to Tasha, Landon was one floor down in the room closest to the big window at the end of the hall. I passed multiple people as I descended the stairs, earning a few surprised looks.
The wedding was set to start in under an hour, so I needed to find him quickly before I was needed back upstairs. I didn’t let myself hesitate as I headed down the hallway toward the guys’ room. I needed to do this. It was time I confronted my past so I wouldn’t ruin my future.
Stopping at their door, I took a deep breath.You got this, Lydia.Everything inside of me was telling me to turn and run the other direction, but I knew if I did that, I’d lose the best thing that ever happened to me.
I raised my left hand and knocked on the door. I steeled myself for what I was about to do. It didn’t matter if I ended up with my heart broken. Even if Landon said he didn’t want this anymore, I could at least say I tried my best.
Mateo’s familiar face came into view as he opened the door. “L? What are you doing here?”
He scanned me from head to toe. “Damn.” He said, letting out a low whistle. “You here to whisk me away and marry me? I saw the minister earlier.”
I took him in, noting how handsome he was in his black and white tux. Mateo’s tall, lean frame filled it out perfectly. His dirty blond hair was styled nicely, a few pieces resting on his forehead. God, he looked just like his brothers.
“Sorry not today.” I sent him an apologetic look.
“That wasn’t a firm no, though, so I’ll take it.”
“We’ll see after you turn twenty-one.”
“Damn, friend zoning me for another two years. That’s cold.” He shook his head at me, a smile on his face.
I peered around him. “I was wondering if I could borrow Landon for a moment.”
Trevor and Bryton stood off to the side, both sliding their ties on. They matched the shade of our bridesmaid dresses, along with a flower that was pinned to the lapels on their suits. Next to them was Wyatt, who was messing with the sleeves of his tux, eyebrows turned in. I smiled at the sight of him eager and impatient to marry Josie. When he saw me, he stepped forward.
“Is Josie okay? Does she need anything? I can go see her.” I’d never seen him so nervous and anxious. The dude played in sold-out arenas and didn’t even bat an eyelash, but he was nervous over me standing here, thinking something was wrong with his fiancée.
“She’s fine,” I quickly assured him. “She’s upstairs finishing getting ready.”
Wyatt let out a loud exhale. “Okay, good. Good.”
Moving behind him, Mateo pointed at his brother and made the ‘crazy’ motion near his head. I bit the inside of my cheek so I wouldn’t smile.
Movement to my right instantly drew my attention. I turned my head to see Landon stepping out of the bathroom, fixing his tie. As soon as he caught sight of me, he paused. I didn’t care that the guys were watching us as I looked him over.
He looked good. His black and white tux fit him like a glove, showing off his wide shoulders and narrow waist. His dirty blond hair was freshly cut, as was his beard. God, I missed him. The force of it nearly knocked me off my feet.
I missed seeing him everyday. Missed talking and hearing how his day was going and telling him about mine. I missed just beingwithhim.
As I looked at him, all I could do was hope I hadn’t destroyed what we had before it even had a chance to start.
30
LYDIA
“Can I borrow you for a moment?”Please say yes.I wetted my lips as every pair of eyes were on me.
