Page 113 of A Very Merry Enemy
“Go,” Holiday says, even though I can see in her eyes that she doesn’t want me to leave, either. “I’ll be right there. Third row, on the groom’s side.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
I force myself to step back and turn away, even though every cell in my body is screaming to stay.
As I walk toward the ceremony tent with the other groomsmen, I glance back at her. Holiday’s watching me with an expression that makes my heart pound.
Emma appears at her side immediately, and I watch themhug around her big bump. Emma says something that makes Holiday laugh, and her cheeks turn pink.
Hudson elbows me as we line up for the processional. “Well, that was real fucking subtle.”
“Shut up.”
“You two might as well have made out in front of three hundred people.”
“We werejusttalking.”
“You were eye-fucking each other into oblivion, and you know it.” He’s grinning. “But hey, at least now everyone has confirmed that you’re absolutely crazy about each other. Stop pretending.”
The music changes, signaling the start of the ceremony. Guests hurry to find their seats. I give Jake a tight hug. He looks nervous and excited and ready.
From where I’m standing, I can see Holiday take her seat exactly where she said she’d be. Third row, Jolly side. The ceremony is about to start, and I have no idea how I’m going to get through it without staring at her.
This is going to be the longest hour of my damn life. And I can’t fucking wait.
CHAPTER 23
HOLIDAY
Iadjust my burgundy dress as I sit behind Lucas’s immediate family, wondering if I made a mistake wearing something this formfitting to a wedding. But then I remember the look on Lucas’s face when I stepped out of that carriage, and I know I made the right choice.
My parents sit beside me. Dad is fidgeting with his tie, and Mom keeps dabbing at her eyes with a tissue even though the ceremony hasn’t started yet.
“This is so beautiful,” she whispers to me, squeezing my hand.
“You say that at every wedding,” Dad teases.
“Because it’s true.” Mom looks at me and there’s something knowing in her expression. “Weddings always make me emotional. Especially when they’re between two people who are clearly meant to be together.”
I know she’s not just talking about Jake and Claire.
The tent fills with guests. White chairs are arranged in neat rows facing the front, where an elegant arch covered in white roses and evergreen stands waiting. Crystal chandeliers hang overhead, their light mixing with the thousands of white fairy lights strung across the ceiling. Through the clear panels on thesides of the tent, I can see the fading sunset over the Christmas tree farm stretching out into the distance. It’s magical and romantic and everything a winter wedding should be.
I turn to glance at the entrance where the groomsmen are gathering. Lucas looks so incredibly handsome in his tuxedo that my chest aches. He’s talking with Hudson and laughing at something, completely at ease. And when he smiles, I see that dimple, the one that only shows when it’s genuine.
Then, as if he can feel me watching him, he turns his head and our eyes meet across the tent.
Everything else fades away for a moment. The other guests disappear. The music becomes background noise. It’s just him and me with an eternity in front of us. He doesn’t look away, and neither do I.
“Holiday,” my mom says, grabbing my attention.
I blink at her. “Yes, ma’am?”
“Honey, you’re staring.” But she’s smiling when she says it.
“I’m not?—”
