She also met two of Lissa's cousins, Sean and Loretta, also part of the wedding party.
"Where are your parents?" she asked Lissa.
"Aidan's mom and dad are picking them up at the hotel. They flew in just this morning."
"How long are they staying?"
Lissa rolled her eyes. "I'm actually surprised they even came, being the busy professional couple they are. They're just going to be here until right after the wedding.
Mom has to finish her dress fitting and such, so that's why we're having the rehearsal a couple days before the wedding instead of the night before. So many details and Dad just couldn't get away from the firm soon enough to get them out here too many days before."
"And how are you doing?" she asked Lissa.
"Perversely calm, actually," she said, her gaze flitting to Aidan. "Everything is as it should be."
Sophie felt that, too. "You're right. It's all going to be fine."
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Lissa hugged her. "I can't thank you enough for stepping in for Susie. She felt awful about having to drop out, but she's having a really tough time with morning sickness and just didn't think she could handle it."
"It's no problem, as I've told you a hundred times. I'm just honored you thought to ask me."
"Well, you're practically family already, Sophie."
If only that were true. Judging from the daggers shooting from Logan's eyes, she'd never be officially family. She'd done her best to keep her distance from him the past week, despite the intense desire to see him.
Hoping that he'd see the light and come to her, she'd been disappointed when he hadn't called or come by the shop. Her nights had been fitful at best, and she hadn't slept well.
The visions had returned, and were growing stronger. She hadn't shared that with anyone, especially Angelina. The last thing Angelina needed to worry about was some impending disaster right before her son's wedding.
Speaking of Angelina, she strolled through the doors of the church, laughing gaily with a lovely woman about the same age. Introductions were made and Sophie met Lissa's parents.
She'd been there thirty minutes and had spoken to everyone...except Logan, who avoided her like she had some communicable disease. When she moved over to one side of the church, he went to the opposite side.
Really, this was getting ridiculous.
Father John, the parish priest, called everyone to attention and began to give instructions.
"Come on, belle femme, let's dazzle them together up the aisle."
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Sophie turned and smiled at Brett, then linked her arm in his and walked down to the foyer. Logan, as best man, would be paired with Shannon, the maid of honor. She felt his eyes on her back as they made their way to the church entrance.
Father John explained who would walk first and when, and they began to practice as the organist played music. The men would walk down the aisle with the women, except for Lissa, of course, who would be accompanied down the aisle by her father, while Aidan waited at the altar.
The music began and the parents went down first. Lissa's cousins followed, then Max and Kaitlyn.
Sophie met Brett at the door. He lifted her hand and kissed it, then graced her with a dazzling smile. "Ready, beautiful?"
A quick glance at Logan showed him to be less than pleased with Brett's flirting.
Good. She winked at Brett. "I'm all yours."
They walked slowly down the aisle, then parted as they reached the entrance to the altar. Sophie turned and watched Logan and Shannon walk together.
His jaw was clenched tight and she felt the anger simmering underneath.
But was he angry at her? And why? Because Brett had flirted with her?
Maybe there was hope after all.
Once rehearsal was over, they piled into their cars and headed over to the hotel for dinner.
A private ballroom had been set aside for dinner. She was assigned to sit in between Brett and Max, as they were seated according to their pairings for the wedding.
Logan ended up sitting directly across from her at the long table.
Brett held out her chair and she scooted in, trying for a smile in Logan's direction.
Nothing. No smile, barely a nod to acknowledge her.
Yes, he was definitely pissed off.
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Well, let him be. She'd done nothing wrong. She'd stayed away from him and he hadn't made a move to see her, which meant he wasn't interested.
And she wasn't the kind to play games to make him jealous, so she was pleasant throughout dinner with both Brett and Max.
"Do you live in New Orleans, Sophie?" Brett asked, refilling her wineglass.
"Yes. I live right outside the city, actually. How about you?"
"Yeah, I live in New Orleans. So, tell me, what do you do for a living?"
She heard Logan's snort and refused to look over at him. "I own a shop in the Quarter. I tell fortunes and provide various items to those who practice magic."
Brett's brows lifted. "No kidding? That sounds great. So, are you magically inclined?"
"You could say so. Do you believe in magic?"
His eyes darkened. "I used to. I don't anymore."
Again, there was the pain she'd sensed within him earlier.
"That's because there's no such thing as magic," Logan added.
Shannon elbowed him in the ribs and Kaitlyn coughed. Sophie didn't respond at all.
He was trying to bait her into an argument, and there was no way she'd let herself fall for it.
Fortunately, Galen stood and tapped his water glass with his spoon, gathering everyone's attention.
"To my children, Aidan and Melissa. I wish you happiness, health, and please give me grandchildren before I die."
They all broke out into laughter. Then Logan stood and raised his glass to the couple.
"It is said that love is all sustaining, in both good times and in bad. I know that we've all seen that with the love our parents have for each other. The unconditional 101
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love they gave to all of us and have taught us to share with others. May your home be filled with never-ending love, and may the circle of your hearts never be broken."
Sophie was in awe of his words and near tears from the sincerity in his voice. What he'd said felt to her as if he'd spoken from his heart.
Was he acting, or did he truly believe in the power of love? He certainly hadn't yet demonstrated a profound belief in love.
At least not with her.
Maybe that was the problem. Maybe she was the problem. Was she beating her head against an icy, impenetrable wall?
"You're second-guessing yourself again," Angelina whispered when she hugged her.
"Probably. I just don't know, Angelina. He's so...angry."
She shook her head. "A defense mechanism. He's trying to convince himself that he doesn't need you, and to do that he has to find some kind of fault with you. Be patient."
"I'll try."
"Try harder. Go talk to him. You look beautiful tonight."
She grinned. "Thank you. Okay, I'll give it a shot."
Logan didn't see her approach as he listened to Max and Brett engaged in conversation.
She stopped behind him, not sure how to begin or what she'd even say to him.
This was a really bad idea, and she felt stupid.
But then Max and Brett moved away and he turned to her, arching a brow.
"Hey," she said, then mentally kicked herself. Brilliant opening line, Sophie.
"Hey. You look...nice."
"Thanks. So do you."
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Okay, now they were reduced to polite pleasantries. She had to think of something, and fast.
"I'm surprised you aren't hanging out with Brett. You two seemed to hit it off tonight."
She tilted her head, unsure of what her next move should be. She decided to go with honesty. "Would it matter to you if I did?"
"Do you want to?"
"I asked you first. Would it matter if I did?"
He opened his mouth to speak, then shut it quickly. Finally, he said, "I don't know.
Maybe. Brett's not for you, anyway."
"You don't get to decide who's for me and who isn't."
"Trust me, Sophie. He isn't ready for a woman in his life."
"Why not?"
"I can't say. Just trust me. Brett isn't the right man for you."
"Then who is, Logan? Or do you just want me away from everyone you know?"