You're The One (Very Irresistible Bachelors 1)

My eyes burned at the corners, turning misty. This man! It was a good thing we were talking through a door and he couldn’t see my face.

I cleared my throat, fiddling with the hem of my robe. I was beginning to realize that the problem wasn’t that a real wedding wouldn’t measure up to this one.

It was that I didn’t think another man could measure up to Hunter. I doubted that anyone I’d ever marry would get me better than Hunter would, that he’d understand me on such a deep level—that he’d know exactly when to push because I was standing in my own way.

“I won’t accept a no. So there you have it.” That bossy tone was going to be my undoing.

“Thank you. It’s a lovely surprise.”

“My pleasure, Josie. I’ll go now. Tess is giving me the evil eye from across the room.”

I laughed, waiting until I was sure Hunter had left before coming out. I discovered that my brothers had joined our group in the meantime.

“The number of eligible bachelors at this wedding is astounding,” Tess said.

“My girlfriends are already rubbing their hands in excitement,” Skye added. “Awww, look at Ian. He’s practically shivering with fear.”

Dylan held his hands up, laughing. “Lucky I’m taken.”

Ian turned to me. “As my sister and the bride, I beg you... save me.”

“But this is so much fun.”

Isabelle did a little shimmy, grinning. “These two always say you’re their girl. So happy to finally see you throw them under the bus.”

Chapter Fourteen

Hunter

I looked around the venue, chuckling. This had gotten completely out of control. It wasn’t just a low-key party, it was an over-the-top wedding, but I supposed it was my own fault for handing the reins to Amelia and Tess.

“I can’t believe Mom and Tess pulled this off in a few weeks,” Ryker commented.

“Makes me wonder what they would’ve come up with if they had more time. But I’m sure I’ll find out as soon as one of you gets marr—”

“Don’t say it out loud,” Ryker said with a grin. “Might jinx me. Can’t believe you’re the first in the family to marry.”

I grinned back, silently agreeing with him. I hadn’t thought I’d be the first one either. I hadn’t envisioned marrying at all, period.

I looked around again. What did Josie think about everything? She’d been so adamant about not wanting this to feel like an actual wedding, yet looking around, I couldn’t imagine anything looking more like a wedding.

I was waiting in front of the officiant. When the music started, I looked up to the end of the red carpet, and nearly swallowed my tongue. She was wearing a wedding dress. Why hadn’t she told me that? Why hadn’t anyone? Had Josie felt she had to do this in order to keep up appearances?

I couldn’t say why this impacted me so much. Even through the short veil covering her face, I noticed that her eyes were a little glassy. I wanted to soothe her, to reassure her. With shock, I realized that there was some part of me longing for this to not be just for pretend. I mentally shook myself. I couldn’t get caught up in moments like this and mess everything up. Josie was here today to do me a favor, to help me out. I’d better not muddle things.

I wasn’t her forever guy. She was my best friend, and that was all she was ever going to be. She wasn’t going to fall for me. She hadn’t until now, so why would things change?

Her dad walked with her, beaming at the rest of the family on the way. Josie’s parents and siblings looked beyond happy, which brought along yet another wave of guilt.

I had to do something about all the guilt. And if I was feeling this way, I couldn’t even imagine how Josie felt.

She smiled at the crowd, a warm and genuine smile. Or maybe I just wished it so badly that I saw what I wanted.

“Take good care of her,” her dad said when they reached me.

“I will, sir. I promise.”

I planned to make good on my promise. The Christmas trip was a good start. Josie wasn’t one to easily accept things, but I wouldn’t back down. When I took her hand, kissing it, I was overwhelmed by emotion in a way I couldn’t explain or even comprehend.