The Truest Thing - Hart's Boardwalk

And Bailey … she was a beautiful vision in golden ivory. The Jenny Packham gown fitted perfectly to Bailey’s elegant figure and had a 1930s vibe to it. The bodice was embellished with hand-sewn beads. It had sheer cap sleeves and a plunging V-neckline. A delicate silk ribbon accentuated Bailey’s small waist and tied into a small bow at the back. The silk-chiffon skirt pooled in elegant layers around her feet.

The stylist had coiled Bailey’s bright auburn locks into a complicated updo. She wore a simple, elegant, beaded vintage headpiece that matched the dress perfectly.

A hush fell over the guests as the officiant, Kell Summers, invited the bride and groom to recite their vows.

Vaughn’s father, a very distinguished, handsome man who was way too charming for his own good and made me blush up a storm, handed his son Bailey’s wedding band. Taking her left hand in his, Vaughn gently guided the band down her finger until it nestled beside her impressive engagement ring. Then he clasped her hand between both of his, gazing deep into her eyes.

“It is an understatement to say that I never expected you, Bailey Hartwell.”

Bailey beamed at him as we all tittered, remembering how at odds they’d been before they pulled their heads out of their asses and realized they cared about each other.

Vaughn stared lovingly at her as she smiled that glamorous smile of hers. “How could I anticipate someone like you? How could I hope that someone like you existed?”

Tears welled in my eyes as Bailey’s brightened with emotion.

“I spent torturous hours trying to find the perfect vows, the perfect words. Cursing myself for being a man who is not great at expressing his feelings. Knowing how important it is that you understand the depth of what I feel for you. Then a wise man reminded me that I don’t need to be a poet to do that.” Vaughn drew her closer so he could hold their joined hands to his chest. “There is nothing and no one in this world who means what you mean to me. And I want you to know that my every action, my every decision, my very purpose in life is to protect what we have. To love you. To make you happy. To make sure you never regret a single moment spent by my side.”

I swiped a tear off my cheek as Bailey leaned in to kiss Vaughn. A sweet, soft, intimate kiss given as if she’d forgotten they had an audience.

Another tear fell down my cheek, and as I moved to wipe it away, there was a hot tingling sensation on the back of my neck that had nothing to do with the morning sun.

A shiver chased the tingle down my spine. I turned my head.

My gaze cut through the seated guests, transfixed by the couple in the gazebo as Bailey recited her vows.

I was about to turn back to listen when my eyes locked with his.

Jack.

He sat on the other side of the aisle, about seven rows back, next to Cat and Joey Lawson. His gaze was fixed on me, his expression searing.

My belly knotted.

Joey saw me looking in their direction and waved exuberantly.

Despite my heavy worries, Joey always made me smile. I grinned at him and waved back before turning around.

I caught Jess’s eyes as I did, and she gave me a sympathetic smile. She reached for my free hand, the one not wrapped around a bouquet of peonies, and squeezed it tight.

I squeezed hers right back.

* * *

Not long later, I was momentarily distracted from my concerns about bumping into Jack. The photographer took so long with the pictures on the boardwalk, at the inn, and on the beach, Jess felt faint and Bailey excused the bridesmaids from the rest of the photo shoot.

Dahlia, Ivy, and I walked Jess back to the hotel where Cooper, Jeff King, Michael, and Jack were waiting together. The sight of Jack standing among them, looking sexy in his tailored suit, brought my earlier worries crashing back.

“You okay?” Jess asked as we approached the men.

“Why are you asking Em if she’s okay?” Dahlia frowned. “You’re the one who was about to pass—oh, Jack, right? Gotcha.”

“I’m fine.” I gave them all a strained smile.

“That was the least convincing fine I’ve ever heard,” Ivy commented.

Cooper strode toward us, a deep scowl on his face. “You all right?” He took Jess from us, running his hands down her arms. “I was just saying they had you out in that sun for too long.”

“I’m fine, I’m fine.” She rested against him, looking wilted. “I just need a glass of water and some shade.”

Before any of us could say a word, Cooper escorted Jess into the hotel.

Michael and Jeff approached.

“Do you need us to stay with you?” Dahlia asked under her breath.

“I need to talk to Jack alone.”