Page 125 of Wicked Dix

I scratch the back of my neck. “Well, no.”

“Open it.”

“I…can’t. It’s sitting at the bottom on the Hudson,” I explain sheepishly.

She lets out a small chuckle. “Alex, can you please wave?”

On her call, a familiar brunette, who is standing by the celebrant, waves.

“Hi, Alex,” Maddy says, waving over her shoulder.

“That’sAlex?” I ask, my mouth agape.

“Yes, I believe you met her in Boston. I also believe you flirted with her.” She cocks her head to the side, challenging me to argue.

“That doesn’t sound like something I’d do,” I reply, tongue in cheek.

Suddenly, I remember where I’ve seen her. She was sitting at the breakfast table with Max and Maddy the morning I was a complete ass to Madison in Boston. And Maddy is right, I did flirt with her. But only to make Madison jealous.

As I study her, I notice she’s wearing the same dress as Maddy—a bridesmaid dress. Holy shit, this isMax’swedding, or a renewal of vows ceremony, not Maddy’s. She’s the…bridesmaid.

Thinking back over my phone conversation with Max, I now know I misunderstood because I was convinced it was Madison who was getting married, not him. Well, don’t I feel foolish.

“But why are you organizing Max’s wedding? Or vow ceremony? Or whatever,” I ask quickly.

She smiles. “Because Dr. Wellington is not only the best teacher I’ve ever had, he’s also become a good friend. He’s become a good friend to all of us,” she adds, looking around. “When he let slip he always wanted to give Aiko the beach wedding she’s always dreamed of, we all made it happen. I guess he touched the sappy romantic in me.” She lowers her eyes for the briefest of moments before adding, “And besides, fifty plus years of marriage is something to celebrate.”

My mouth couldn’t fall any farther open. “Well, that’s generous.”

“It’s the least I could do. Without him and his letter of recommendation, I wouldn’t have got the job at New York Presbyterian.”

I lie. My mouth just hit the ground. “What?You’re coming back to New York?”

She nods. “Yes.”

I need to sit.

I blindly slump down onto a chair, taking it all in. If this were a Shakespearean play, I would have kicked myself for swallowing the poison prematurely. But I would have never known the truth if I hadn’t come. I would have forever believed she had married someone named Alex, who is in fact her classmate and a girl.

I have no idea why Max is renewing his vows, and I don’t care. All I care about is the fact Maddy is not getting married.

“Dixon, my friend. Nice of you to come.” I look up and see Max standing beside me.

“You know me,” I reply, my voice parading my perplexity. “I just love weddings.”

He laughs deeply, slapping me on the back. “Well, in that case, do you think I could get back to mine?” He cups his mouth brazenly. “They charge by the minute.”

I shake my head, coming back down to earth. “Oh, of course. I’m sorry, Max. Forgive me.” I stand, thankful my legs still hold me up.

“That’s quite all right. I’m glad you’re here.” He gives me a knowing smile. Did he know I’d end up making a fool of myself this entire time? When he secretively nods, I know that he did indeed.

That meddling, conspiring so-and-so.

He walks down the aisle, leaving Maddy standing uneasily off to the side, fiddling with her bouquet. “I better stop making an ass of myself and let you get back to it.” I’ve held up the proceedings long enough.

She nods.

I turn around, but she stops me mid-step when she proclaims, “You didn’t.”

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