Page 1 of Hunter

PREFACE

Tanner & McKenna’s Christmastime Wedding

Hunter

I’m not surprised to see her.

I mean, I knew she’d be here.

(She’s McKenna’s maid of honor, after all.)

I’m surprised by how seeing her makes me feel. It’s been months since I’ve heard from her, and I guess I hoped I wouldn’t be affected by her presence.

But the joke’s on dumb-fucking-me because Iamaffected.

(I am very, very fucking affected.)

She stands at the back of the church, the last woman to walk down the aisle before the bride. Even though she wears the same dark green dress as my sisters, she looks like a different creature altogether. With her dark hair piled on top of her head and her lips painted fire engine red, she’s so stunning, I can’t look away...

...which sucks, because looking at her makes memories of last summer come rushing back.

(Memories I’d just as soon forget.)

Parker arrives at the front of the church, fanning out to the left, and I look up to see Isabella begin her own walk down the aisle.

As I watch her graceful progression, every cell in my body calls out to her. Blistering memories of what it felt like to touch her, to talk to her, tobewith her fill my mind. They make me hate her a little bit. I hate it that I still have feelings for her. I hate it more that she didn’t give us a real chance.

Sawyer, who’s standing beside me, nudges me with his elbow and whispers, “You good?”

I clear my throat and nod. “Yeah.”

“She’s not worth it, bro.”

“I know.”

ButdoI know? I mean, despite the fact that I’ve had several opportunities for random flings and fucks since Isabella went back to Seattle in five months ago, I haven’t engaged. I’ve been stuck. Why? Well, here’s the bleak truth: no one compares to her. No one before, and no one since...and I don’t know what to do about that.

As she reaches the altar, she catches my eyes, a nervous half-smile playing on her lips. In response, I give her a frosty once-over, then look away with an unsubtle scoff, my meaning clear:I’ve seen better. You’re nothing special.

(Liar, liar, pants on fire.)

When I look up again, she’s taken her position with my sisters, but her little smile is gone. Her cheeks are crimson, her jaw is set, and she’s staring straight ahead at the altar. I hurt her feelings, which should make me feel bad, but doesn’t. She was the one who dumped me, after all.Long-distance or not,Iwould’ve given us a try. Part of me, God help me, still would.

The children’s choir finishes singing, and the opening chords of Wagner’s “Wedding March” sound on the organ.

I turn my attention to McKenna, who stands at the back of the church on PawPaw’s arm, and shut down all thoughts of Isabella Gonzalez...for now.

***

Isabella

He hates me.

I had hoped that enough time had passed since our super steamy summer weekend for us to be friends, but apparently not. The look of disgust he gave me at the altar made me feel like total dogshit. There will be no truce between us.

I’ve been trying to avoid him at the reception, which is hard since I’m the maid of honor and he’s the best man. But every time we make eye contact, he responds with a scathing glance before looking away.

His contempt hurts because I genuinely liked him.