Page 24 of Never the Bride
“I want to go say hi to Landon.” Shanna tugs on my arm, pulling me away. “It was nice to meet you, Camila.”
“Same to you.”
I glance over my shoulder before we round the corner and can’t help but match the giant smile on Camila’s face.
Camila
I thoughtHess would just be this charming hero frozen in my mind for the rest of my life, who I could think back on fondly and compare to other men I date. His perfection would obviously get grander over the years, causing me to wonder if he was even real or just a figment of my imagination. When I walked away from him at the airport, that was how I thought the story would end.
Never did I expect to be standing across the room from him at my sister’s engagement party,marriedto him.
What are the odds of that?
I steal a glance in his direction. His hair is much longer than the buzzed version I recall, and he’s filled out his muscles in a mature, manly way. The light scruff on his face is also different from the clean-shaven man I married. All this to say, I had no clue who he was—at least, I didn’t think I did. But there was an easiness to our conversation on the plane that seemed familiar. I guess now I know why.
He’s dressed in dark slacks and a blue button-up shirt, completely dismantling my cowboy fantasy, which is good. This situation is complicated enough. I don’t need to add actual attraction to the equation.
His girlfriend laughs, throwing her auburn hair back with her head. She’s tall with milky white skin and perfectly placed freckles on the bridge of her nose. She actually reminds me a lot of my good friend Emma in looks, definitely not in demeanor.
I’m not jealous of Shanna. But I don’t like her. It’s the vibe she gives off. My divorce-attorney senses tell me she’s hard to please. I give their marriage less time than I give Landon and Selena’s.
“What are you doing over here all alone?” Selena loops her arm through mine, like my thoughts summoned her to me.
“I was just people watching.”
“See any cute guys?” Selena’s gaze sweeps over the party. “Landon has some nice friends.”
“Tell me about the best man.” I glance his way again and catch him looking at me. Instead of averting his eyes, he tips his glass to me and smiles.
“Hess? You can’t date him. He’s taken.”
“So I’ve heard.” I turn to my sister. “I’m just curious about him because he stepped in on my flight when I had a diabetes misstep.”
Selena touches my arm. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, yeah. It was no big deal. I just wanted to know what Hess is like—if that’s his norm or just one really good moment.”
“Oh, that’s his norm. Hess is the best there is. A total softy of a guy.”
“Hmm.” I steal another look. “Send me his phone number. I want to coordinate the bachelor and bachelorette parties.”
“Now?”
“Yeah, why not?”
“My phone is back at the head table. I’ll send it to you when we sit down for dinner.” She grabs my wrist in excitement. “Isn’t this night magical?”
I smile, equally loving and hating how happy she is. “Yeah, it’s beautiful.” I wrap my arm around her shoulder and hug her to my side. “You’re beautiful.”
“I wish Mom could be here to see it.”
“I took a lot of pictures; she’ll see it after her shift tonight.” My mom just landed a new job with good benefits. She couldn’t jeopardize it to attend one party. Shecould’ve,but luckily, I convinced her that wouldn’t be wise.
“Selena, mi amor, where are you?” Landon’s voice comes over the speaker, and we turn to where the microphone is.
She waves her hand in the air with a giggle. “Here I am!”
“Oh, you’re so gorgeous.” Landon looks over the guests. “Isn’t my fiancée the most gorgeous woman here tonight?”
