Page 1 of Intertwined Hearts

Prologue

Jackie

I loathed the thought of being the maid of honor, but when Nikki asked, I couldn’t say no. She was my best friend. If this was what she wanted from me, I’d do it. I owed her this and so much more.

In the beginning, there was something about Jeff that kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I couldn’t put my finger on any one specific thing, but a general feeling of unease was there. He just seemed a little sneaky, like he was hiding something. I couldn’t quite pin it down, but there was something.

I had heard plenty of stories from Nikki, and could only imagine the ones she wasn’t telling me. After situations that seemed questionable to me, I’d hear Nikki say,‘But I love him.’ She said it so many times it made me sick. Despite it all, she stood by his side. Over time, I had warmed up to him, too.

I was so exhausted from all the maid of honor duties on top of the increased workload at my job that I was tempted to go to their rehearsal in my Victoria Secret pajama pants, tank top, and slippers. Why did I have to get dressed up? It wasn’t the wedding day. It was the freaking rehearsal, for goodness sake. If I was being honest, I didn’t even want to be there. I felt like I didn’t have time in my schedule for Nikki and Jeff’s rehearsal and dinner. How hard was it to walk down the aisle on the wedding day? I had what seemed like a million things I had to make sure were done before the wedding, Nikki’s big day, to make it as perfect as possible for her.

The angel on my shoulder fought against my inner bitch, and I put on a nice sun dress, my favorite ankle-wrap wedge sandals, and fixed my hair. After applying just enough make up to say I had done it, I set the timer on my phone, then sat on the couch and watched television for half an hour while going over the checklist. I wasn’t going to be early. When the timer went off, I grabbed my keys and purse, then drove to the venue.

I was still trying to wrap my head around a wedding and reception at a restaurant. I knew the place was Jeff’s idea. I didn’t know anything about it and had never been there, but was curious why he didn’t just suggest going to Chuck E. Cheese’s. He could’ve saved a lot of money, and we all could’ve played games and had some pizza. It would be a great time.

I watched Nikki, Jeff, and a few others go inside the Rusty Pelican when I pulled into the parking lot. I drove around and found a space to park. I’d never seen the inside of this place, and I really hoped what Nikki had told me was true, and that Jeff wasn’t manipulating my friend out of the beautiful wedding she always hoped for.

As I walked up the ramp, I saw Nikki peering out the door at me with a huge smile on her face. I knew I had to be the best friend and best maid of honor I could possibly be for her. I’d never want to do anything that would upset her on her special day, or ever again.

When I walked in, I was met with a hug from my bestie. She quickly introduced me to everyone, and then tohim.

I felt the earth move beneath me the moment our eyes met.

“Hi, Jackie. Nice to meet you,” he said.

Chills ran through me when I heard his deep voice.

He extended his hand to me. I reached out to shake it, and when our hands touched, a tingly sensation took me over. I gasped. The current raced through me from my toes and to the top of my head. Every hair follicle felt electrically charged, like each was standing on end.

“Hi, Hunter. Nice to meet you, too,” I said.

My stomach lurched and my heart fluttered. My chest felt hollowed. He was everything I had ever fantasized about in a man. Of everyone I met that night, the only name I seemed to remember was Hunter’s.

Visible perfection. He was tall, built, and handsome beyond words. I purposely walked behind him into the Grand Ballroom. His dress slacks fit his firm, round butt perfectly. His waist was narrow, in a masculine-as-hell, I’m-an-Adonis kind of way. His back went up in a dramatic V from his waist to his very broad, muscled shoulders. The material of the shirt across his shoulder blades was tight. He could have ripped out of his shirt like the Hulk if he wanted to.I’d love to watch that.I just shook my head as I admired him. If his personality was half as impressive as his physical attributes – holy hell!

But he was Jeff’s friend. That was one strike against him already.

Hunter

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I agreed to be one of Jeff’s groomsmen, but he was my best friend. I’d do anything for him, within reason. Though I’m not sure being in a wedding constituted within reason.

Tuxedo, dress shoes, wedding rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner – blah! It made me wonder why I ever thought I wanted to be married. It seemed like a lot of work. Hell, itwasa lot of work.

We guys were shooting the shit just inside the doorway when my attention was drawn to Nikki’s excitement at the arrival of one of her bridal party members. Jeff had joked about the maid of honor probably having gone missing to avoid the wedding completely.

When I saw her for the first time, I felt like I’d found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Love at first sight? Yeah. Yeppers. That was how I felt.

She was physically everything I’d ever wanted. Tall, thin, and shapely, and she had such a beautiful smile she could have melted glaciers. My stomach had butterflies for the first time.

I watched her come through the door, then talk and laugh with Nikki and the rest of the ladies. My gaze was glued to her, the woman I was pretty sure had been put in front of me on purpose by the love gods. Our paths were meant to cross.

“Hunter,” Nikki called to me and waved her hand in the air, motioning for me to go to her. My feet felt like they had two hundred-pound cinder blocks weighing each down. Somehow I managed to free myself from the invisible grip of nervousness and made my way over to where they were standing.

We exchanged hellos, then I reached out to shake her hand. When she touched me, the sensation that radiated through my body nearly brought me to my knees.

I never expected to have my world turned upside down as a result of a simple rehearsal dinner.

Chapter 1

---