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"Yes," I answered honestly "Lie in your arht see to me"

The a far more intense as he reached up to strokethe bar"

"You are?"

"Yeah I’ve never liked you working there, and I ?"

"Because you seemed happy It’s sort of my life rinned "Gotcha Well, mission accomplished I have lots of new friends, so I don’t need the bar for a social life any and on us I’ll hand in nation this week"

Braden nodded and squeezedinto hiaze back on the movie "Pfft"I mocked the screen as we soaked in each other’s war in a public place like that What is this crap we’re watching?"

"So to you,’ I believe"

"H in our rental choices Oh, God," I groaned at the screen "This guy is a tool"

"Jocelyn?" Braden tightened his ar "Just so you know, this is everything toback to the television "Perhaps allery"

Chapter 3

The Wedding

Clark, Ellie’s stepdad, and thus father figure to Braden and h his elbow and patted lanced sharply at his kind face "What? Do I look nervous?"

He smiled softly at me "A little"

"I don’t want to look nervous," I whispered back

Although his h, his eyes definitely did "Just take a deep breath"

We were standing out of view of the double doors that had opened up onto the red-carpeted aisle of the church andtheir way up it It was nearlyday was here already It didn’t seeeazines in her hands Although I’d had ht the at the botto out

Fuckity, fuckity, fuck, fuck

Deep breaths

I could not have a panic attack I wanted to spend the rest of oing to find so torelationship, I was still afraid I was afraid I was going to hurt hihtened over e is You’re going to fight, clash, say things you don’t s can happen But, Joss"--he dipped his head to ether, will always outweigh any bad" He smiled "And I think Braden’s proved there’s not much you can do to chase hi, deep breath "Thanks"

"You’re welcouitarist and violinist grew louder as the double doors swung open, their beautiful instru to Me" sending shivers up my neck We stepped out onto the carpeted aisle of the church and at first all I could see was the flowers, the guests who had turned to stare atsmiles, their curiosity At the squeeze of Clark’s hand around mine where I clutched fiercely to my bouquet of white lilies interspersed with thin reeds of chaan to focus My eyes found my bridesmaids, Ellie, Hannah, Jo, Rhian, and Liv, dressed in their floor-length chaant and happy The closer we got I could see Ellie was tearing up I caught Elodie in the front pews along with Cairlfriend, Dee; Cairlfriend, Lyn I didn’t have any farooues from Club 39 Everyone else was associates or friends of Braden and the Nichols family And of course his vapid socialiteunder the weather More like we’d met at Christmas last year and I’d made my distaste for her clear and vice versa

My eyes found Ada on the opposite side of the altar They wore the same as Clark and Braden--as referred to as a Prince Charlie gray jacket and ne ties were intricately knotted against their dark gray shirts, and because the Carmichaels were associated with the Stewart clan they earing a subdued Stewart gray tartan Ada smile finally made me look at Braden

I almost faltered on the walk up the aisle

The look in his eyes was like a physical pressure on my chest The love there caused ainst Clark as I atte dress My dress was simple It was strapless with a heart-shaped neckline, and the upper half of the bodice was ivory with crystal beading and lace The finest white silk chiffon pulled across the bodice in a tight drape, fitted to h with silver, fell to the floor in siance I could tell by the look on Braden’s face as Clark and I approached that he liked the dress

Still shaking, I kissed Clark on the cheek, so honored that he’d walked me down the aisle in absence ofup at the sheen of wetness in his eyes as he handed me over to Braden