Her eyes brimmed with warmth. “What I want is… for a guy to look at me the way a groom looks at his bride. Brian never looked at me like that. He loved me, but I wasn’t enough for him.” She rubbed her forehead. “I can’t believe I said that.”
Cole reached out and raised her chin. “You’re more than enough, Leah.”
She clasped his hand, giving a half smile. “Thank you.”
Longing whispered through him. “Leah,”—
“Okay, everyone. We’re getting ready to start the ceremony. We ask that you all take your seats.”
Cole nodded at the wedding planner. Leah released his hand, and his spirits fell.
“I’ll see you inside,” she said.
“I’ll see you.”
Cole captured the moments of Holly and Josh’s ceremony. He even photographed Josh’s expression as Holly strolled down the aisle with her father. Leah was right. The way he looked at his bride-to-be was heartwarming. Cole spotted Leah with a hand to her chest. Her emerald green dress for the night was perfect.
His heart nearly stopped when she gripped his hand. He’d come close to sharing his feelings. Could he risk telling her? Was tonight the perfect moment to tell her? He blew air out of his cheeks. He clutched his camera and resumed his photos. When Pastor Hill pronounced Holly and Josh as husband and wife, he caught their first kiss.
Family and friends cheered and applauded, and Cole followed the couple to the reception area. From there, he photographed the bride and groom, along with the wedding party. During the couple’s first dance, Cole circled the couple, catching the romance.
Round tables covered in tablecloths strewn with confetti decked the ballroom. Cole captured it all: the floral centerpieces, china place settings arranged with place cards, champagne glasses, and twinkling strings of lights. Waiters maneuvered through the crowd with appetizers and drinks, and the small table held the wedding cake, the focal point of the room. Applause and whistles filled the room as Holly and Josh kissed while on the dance floor.
Then Cole caught glimpses of Leah circulating the room, her demeanor relaxed and her smile brighter than he had ever seen. She settled in her seat at one of the round tables as the waiters served dinner.
“Take a break,” Holly said.
Cole hugged the new bride. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you, but take a break. We won’t need you until I toss the bouquet.”
“The wife has spoken so have a seat, Cole,” Josh said. His eyes lit up as he hugged his new wife’s waist.
“I will take a break, and congrats again to you both.” Cole then walked to Leah’s table. He sat in the chair next to her and sat his camera down. His mouth watered at the sight of Dijon chicken, sautéed medley vegetables, and golden mashed potatoes. He rubbed his hands together. “I’ve been waiting for this.”
Leah flashed a huge grin at him. “Me too. My second favorite part of a wedding is the food.”
Cole swallowed and spotted his Caesar salad. “And I’ve worked up an appetite.”
Leah slid her cleared salad plate toward his; a few croutons sprawled in the center. “Go ahead.”
He glanced at her for a moment, but then he transferred his croutons from his plate to hers. “You remembered that I don’t like croutons.”
“You would have done the same for me.” She took another bite from her Dijon chicken.
Leah nudged his shoulder, and his heart skittered. Being so close, he yearned to touch her. Would she shrink back if he draped an arm around her shoulder? Did she know how much she affected him?
Even in high school, Cole wanted to be around her. He never turned away her friendly affections. S
he would wrap her arms around his waist in an embrace. Then he would tease her about her petite stature, only for her to pinch his arm. He had it all planned, but her eyes glowed with happiness when Seth had asked her out. Sorrow had shredded Cole’s insides like a blade.
“You’re quiet,” Leah said. “Tired?”
He pushed his empty plate to the side. “No, a lot on my mind.” When he heard Nat King Cole’s “Fascination” in the background, he leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Want to dance?”
She faced him and her eyes lit up. “Sure.”
He rose from his seat. Clasping her fingers, he led her to the dance floor. He twirled her, and she giggled. He then embraced her hand and placed the other at her waist, drawing her closer. At first, his stare remained on her full lips, but then he led them into a simple waltz. The pleasant tune surrounded them like a breeze. Leah followed his moves, flowing with him across the dance floor.