Page 102 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
Jace, to my surprise, steps up beside Chloe, his expression unreadable. He holds out his arm for her, and for a moment, my heart sinks. I had hoped—no, Ithought—he would walk with me.
Chloe grins widely, clearly savoring the moment as she slips her arm through his. I almost roll my eyes but bite back the urge. I’m here for Hailey, nothing else.
But then, something unexpected happens.
Just as Chloe is about to step forward, Jace pauses, holding her back. Chloe frowns, confused, looking up at him. “What’s happening?” she asks, her voice laced with suspicion. “We’re supposed to be walking forward, Jacey. Don’t get cold feet, it’s not our wedding yet.” She laughs at her joke.
“Chloe, you’re not going to be walking any further ahead of here,” Jace says calmly.
Chloe pales. “What do you mean?”
Hailey steps up, her veil flowing behind her like something out of a dream, her expression calm but with a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. “Actually, Chloe,” she says sweetly, “he means that you’re no longer part of the wedding party.”
Chloe’s face drops. “What?” she sputters, looking between Jace and Hailey in shock. “You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I’m very serious,” Hailey replies, not missing a beat. “Jace is going to escort you to the reception area, where you can stay until we arrange for you to leave.”
I can see the fire blazing in Chloe’s eyes as she tries to compose herself, her voice rising in pitch. “You’re kicking me out? Just before your wedding? You’re insane.”
“Sure,” Hailey says, catching her brother’s eye who nods silently. They had planned this.
Chloe’s face has turned red. “This is so humiliating.”
“Exactly what you did to my Emily yesterday, so yes, you deserve every bit of it,” Hailey says, practically pushing Chloe out of the way as she gestures for the others to enter the hall.
Chloe’s blazing eyes turn to me, full of fury. “You did this.”
She takes a step closer, but Raffle cuts between us, baring his teeth at her. Chloe yelps. “Get that monster out of here.”
“The only monster here is you, Chloe. And don’t go around blaming Emily. It was my decision, and mine alone. Jace, please get her out of here.”
“With pleasure,” Jace says, grinning.
Before Chloe can launch into a protest, Jace gently but firmly starts leading her away, his grip on her arm unyielding.
I can’t help but smirk a little.That’s what you get, Chloe.
But my surprise doesn’t end there.
As I stand waiting, still a bit dazed by the scene that just unfolded, Axel appears at my side. He’s dressed sharply, his usual stoic expression softened by something warmer, more intimate. He holds out his arm for me, and I blink, startled.
“I’m walking with you,” he says simply, his blue eyes locking with mine. “Jace wanted me to be here.”
That catches me off guard. I had been expecting Jace to walk with me, but something about Axel’s presence feels right. Maybe Jace knew this, sensed it even before I did.
I slip my arm through Axel’s, and we walk down the aisle together, the soft music filling the hall as all eyes turn to us. My heart flutters, but this time, it’s not from nerves. There’s a sense of peace, of rightness. Axel’s presence beside me is steadying, and as we walk, I realize something I’ve been keeping to myself.
We reach the front, and the ceremony continues. Jace returns shortly, looking completely satisfied with himself. The vows are exchanged, Hailey and Sam looking every bit the picture-perfect couple as they stand hand in hand, glowing with happiness. It’s beautiful, and despite everything that’s happened, I can’t help but feel proud of the part I played in helping make it special for Hailey.
Later, as the bride and groom take to the dance floor for their first dance, I find myself standing off to the side, watching with a soft smile.
Hailey finds me soon after, her face flushed with joy and excitement as she drags me onto the dance floor. We sway together to the music, her laughter contagious.
“So,” she says, her voice teasing, “which one of them are you going to choose?”
I can’t help but laugh softly.
“I think I’ve already made my choice,” I say, my voice soft but certain. I see Whit across the room. When he sees me, he gives me a sheepish smile and holds up his flute of champagne. He and I had a long conversation this morning, and it only helped me know what I already want.
