Flopping down on my bed I let my breath out. “I can’t be around him. I love Sadie and I don’t want to hurt her but I don’t want drama to ensue at her wedding.”

Leigha stood her ground. “Damn you hard headed woman. Get off your damn ass, get a sexy little dress on and let’s go. This isn’t about you and Gage. This is for Tyler and Sadie. Ignore dumbass and have fun. Maybe you can meet some hot football player and make Gage cray jelly. But you need to get your ass ready and to the wedding to do that. Now let’s go!”

Rolling my eyes I shoved off my bed and to my feet. “Will you shut the hell up? I’m getting ready. Now go away.”

“Yay! I can’t go anywhere. Who else is going to make you look bangable? Oh, I know, you should wear that light yellow gown you got for that awards show you are supposed to go to with Gage. It fits you perfect. It’s long and flowy and makes you look like a beach angel. Totally hot.”

Groaning, I said sarcastically, “What’s wrong with what I have on?” Looking down at my over-sized tee shirt and sweatpants, I smirked.

Leigha stuck her tongue out before turning on her heel and walking to my closet. Flinging the door back she rummaged through my clothes. “Ah! Here it is. It’s even more gorgeous than I remember. It will get all the guys attention.”

“Whatever. I don’t want attention. I just want to go say congrats to Sadie and Ty then leave.”

“Oh don’t worry sweetie. I will have you leaving, just not by yourself. Some big, ripped, manly football player will be taking your hot little ass home tonight.”

Yanking the dress from Leigha I stomped into the bathroom to get changed.

After changing I let her attempt to tame my hair. She pinned it to the side with my natural curls laying over my shoulder. It was simple but looked good.

“Let’s make those beautiful blues shine,” Leigha said as she pulled my makeup bag out from under the bathroom sink. “Sit. I got this covered. Just close your eyes and when you open them you will look like a magical fairy princess.”

“What the hell? Did a unicorn shit in your yogurt this morning? Everything coming out of your mouth is covered in glitter and sparkles.”

She huffed. “No. I’m just happy. Not everyone has gone weeks without sex.”

Good point.

Twenty minutes later Leigha stepped away from me, a huge smile on her face. “I knew my best friend was a hot mama but damn girl. You are gorgeous.”

Spinning on the toilet seat to look in the mirror, my jaw dropped. “Wow.”

Giggling, she said, “Yeah. I know. Now let’s go so we aren’t late.”

Of course, Sadie and Tyler’s wedding was on the beach. The beach directly behind Gage’s bar. The bar I haven’t stepped foot in since I walked away from Gage that day on the beach. Leigha found a parking spot in the lot and pulled her car in. “Ready Freddy?”

Damn. I really needed to find a new best friend. She was perkier than her perfect perky boobs.

Opening my door, I said, “Sure. Let’s get this over with.”

Letting my eyes roam, I was instantly looking for Gage. Not seeing him in the crowd of people made a little knot form in my stomach. As much as I hated to say it, I was hoping to see him.

Lacing her arm through mine, Leigha softly said, “He’s here. I’m sure he’s locked away with Tyler somewhere. Sadie didn’t want Tyler to see her before the wedding. Relax.”

…And that’s why I wouldn’t find a new best friend. She knew me better than I knew myself sometimes.

I smiled. Without saying anything I led us to a row of white folding chairs a few rows from the front. On the seat waiting for all the guest was a small glass vase filled with sand and seashells. Etched on the glass was this verse which had me fighting my tears.

LOVE.

Love is Patient.

Love is Kind.

It does not envy.

It does not boast.

It is not proud.

It is not rude.

It is not self-seeking.

It is not easily angered.

Love keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil.

Love rejoices with the truth.

Love always protects.

Love always trusts.

Love always hopes.

Love always perseveres.

Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

“Hmm.” Leigha was smiling from the seat beside me.

“What?”

“Just thinking how ironic that little verse is. That’s all.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I slouched down in the chair and kicked at the sand. “I really need a new best friend.” Leigha stuck her bottom lip out like she was Gabe begging for a new toy. “That lip shit doesn’t work with Gabe, it sure as hell isn’t going to work with you.” She stuck her tongue out before opening the program she grabbed on our way in.

Soft music started playing. Looking back I saw Tyler walking up the isle with the pastor. Tyler looked happy. Making the mistake of looking back again, I saw Gage walking two older ladies down the aisle. The woman on his left looked identical to Sadie. You could tell the woman on his right was related to Tyler, though the resemblance wasn’t as close as Sadie and her mom. He started laughing when Sadie’s mom whispered something to him. His eyes scanned the crowd. He found me. Once our eyes locked he never took them off of me. Even turning his head back once he was passed me to keep his eyes locked with mine.

I wanted to look away. I wanted to, but I didn’t. I stood when I heard the bridal march play, but never looked at Sadie. I couldn’t. Gage had all my attention.

Have you ever seen those episodes of Charlie Brown where the adults talk but all you hear is WHAAA WHAAA WHAAA? That was exactly what I was experiencing. All my focus was on Gage. Leigha noticed and nudged me with her elbow, pulling me out of my Gage trance. I was still watching him but I was giving Tyler and Sadie my attention.

As Tyler repeated his vows to Sadie it looked as if Gage was saying those same vows to me.

Why? Why would he do this to me?

Leaning over so I was close to Leigha’s ear I whispered, “I can’t do this, Le. As soon as they say ‘I do’ I’m outta here.”

Leigha slowly shook her head and simply said, “No.”

Using all my strength I forced myself to look away from Gage. Looking at Sadie and Tyler I could see how in love they were. With four little girls they had everything in life. Everything I would never have. When the pastor gave Tyler the okay to kiss his bride he grabbed Sadie around the neck, dipping her down and kissing her hard. The perfect, romantic kiss. The cherry on top of my ‘poor Annie’ sundae.


Everyone stood and clapped as Tyler and Sadie walked back down the aisle hand in hand.

“Trent said cocktails would be served in the bar while they got pictures then we can come back down to the tent for the reception.” Leigha pointed passed me to a giant white tent, lined with candles.

“I really don’t want to do this, Le. Just looking at him makes my stomach hurt.”

“You miss him. It’s expected. Love isn’t easy. Dumbass is a fuck up. But, you can’t help who you love. Have a drink and don’t let Gage ruin your night. Let’s have fun.”

“I’m trying. I was doing okay until I saw him. I can’t be around him. Not yet.”

“I’ll tell Trent to keep him away. Trent can be like your body guard.”

Raising an eyebrow I asked, “Nothing going on with you two, huh? Just friends, my ass. You two can stop sneaking around. It’s not just a hookup when y’all can’t breathe without each other.”

Leigha’s cheeks pinked and her smile covered her face. “Like I said, you can’t help who you love. Now let’s have a drink.”

Shaking my head I followed Leigha up the steps and into the bar. I hadn’t been in here since I left Gage almost three weeks ago. Bittersweet.

Walking up to the bar I used to work behind I saw Barker lining glasses on the wooden top. “Hey girl. Didn’t expect to see you in here again.”

“What? Why not? It’s a free country. My friends got married and it just so happens their wedding was here.”

Barker smirked and filled the glasses with ice. He said, “I heard about you and owner man. He’s been in here a few times since you left. He’s miserable. He’s an ass. He really needs to get a piece of ass.” Barker laughed at his own joke.

“Yeah, well not my problem. Not, anymore.” I rolled my eyes and grabbed a glass. Scooting it in front of Barker I said, “Hurricane, please.”

“My pleasure, sweetheart.”

Barker was cute in his own rebel without a cause sorta way. He always had his shoulder length black hair held back with a hair tie. His light green eyes gave away his true innocent personality. All his tattoos didn’t do anything for his badboy persona. The guy was a big ol’ softie.

“Here you go, darlin’. Enjoy.” Barker slid the full glass towards me.

“Thank you.” I smiled and walked over to where Leigha was standing.

“Trent just text me and said we can start making our way to the tent.”

“Ready when you are. Got my liquid courage.” I held up my glass and gave it a little shake, careful as not to spill it. Bringing it to my lips I took a big drink and followed Leigha back down the steps and into the large white tent.

Thankfully Sadie had made the seating chart and put Leigha and I at the same table. The DJ’s voice filled the tent, “Ladies and gentlemen, I have been told it’s time to get this party started. And, here to get things going is the wedding party. Tonight we have Ms. Megan Thompson escorted by Mr. Jensen Daniels. Ms. Tara Hampton excorted by Mr. Seth Quinn. Ms. Taylor Hampton escorted by Mr. Trent Carver. Mrs. Jenna Nayler escorted by Mr. Larkin Nayler. Maid of honor Ms. Libby Harte escorted by the best man Mr. Gage Tucker.” Seeing another girl on Gage’s arm had my stomach in knots. The DJ then hit his laptop and You Shook Me All Night Long started playing.”It is with great pleasure I introduce to you, for the very first time Mr. and Mrs. Tyler and Sadie Hampton.” Tyler and Sadie came dancing through their wedding party, stopping at the end only to give their guests another show stopping kiss.