e white gowns lined the walls, shimmering under the soft lighting. Normally, I would

ing beside me, the t

y with the seamstress. I stood awkwardly near the mirror

. He leaned against a nearby display, hands in his pocket

give him the

ence. "Are we just going to pre

here's nothing

s no humor in it. "Right. Because avoidin

ou want me to say, Lucas? That I regret how

, but his gaze darkene

I moved on. Maybe yo

something that looked a lot like hurt-

emerged from the fitting room,

r the distraction, an

fectly, the lace details delicate and intricate. It

in my throat and forced a

can't believe this is happening." She tu

ened as he took her in.

hen we're good to go!" She turned back to the seamstres

e moment had passed. But as I turne

was no mistaking the

h twist, heat cr

dangerous

e wors

e I wanted t

l boutique was even more unb

r her final dress adjustments. He just stood there, watching me with th

idn

the rehearsal dinner would be held, the si

n the window, watching

"Are you going to ign

ch. "I'm not

ed at me since we

yes. "You're

m

, scowling. "

ed slightly. "

"You're im

gainst the steering wheel.

in a shar

ocking or bitter. If anything, there was somethi

it me like a p

go," I muttered, turnin

iately. When he finally sp

t feel

riefly, willing my

wasn'

wed to say thi

long convincing myself t

er should've happene

air

my voice sharper than I

hed but d

nt, but this time, it wasn't j

omething

ther of us kn

-

n light over the sprawling garden. The rehearsal dinner was already in full swing

the entrance, wavi

as we approached. "I was star

t lost. Just takin

Emma was too busy ushe

" she said, dragging me toward the

me-until I saw where ex

next t

ust winked before hurrying o

ai

into his seat. "Looks l

g into my chair.

ood. My focus was split between making small talk with the

le-was sitting directly across from us, wat

her wine glass. "So, Claire, how does it

e smile. "It's b

Lucas, amusement danci

my jaw but

because he suddenly leaned in, his

as c

ca

so close to me sent

ing my reaction. "Relax,

glare. "For

is breath brushin

, I knew this nigh