Page 2 of Forever By Morning

After one last look at the altar, I firmly put it behind me and hurried down the aisle to the open doors. I followed the music across the walkway past the gardens just starting to bloom. The sweet scent of apple blossoms overpowered the more subtle tulips, roses, and daisies that filled the urns that guided me between The Lodge and chapel.

Topiaries stood guard at the doors to the Gala reception room.

I expected they would still be in the informal reception phase, but I should have known better. Traditions had flown out the window when it came to this wedding as soon as we’d gotten to the rehearsal dinner.

Not many weddings started with a near kidnapping of the maid of honor.

I rubbed my arms at the memory of the chaos of the night before. That Willow, the bride’s sister, had been sitting right beside me and been drugged. How could I have missed it?

My gaze had tracked the reception to find Reid and I’d realized that was exactly how I missed it. I’d been distracted because I’d been out of sorts with how easily Reid had dismissed me once we’d been around our friends.

He’d withdrawn and kept disappearing all night, leaving me alone. The rapt attention he’d paid me during the winter to win me over had melted away like snow in the spring. Or maybe it had slipped away once he figured out how easy I was to win over.

But then Willow had gone out of her way to make me feel welcome. She hadn’t made it awkward that her future brother-in-law’s ex was at the wedding. She was warm and funny and insanely talented, just like Rachel.

Then she’d almost been snatched away from her family right under their noses.

I’d been too distracted with my own sadness to pick up that the waiter had been anything other than a waiter. I was so used to waitstaff that they blended into the background for me. What did that say about me?

Worse, what did it say that I was making it about me right now?

I shut my eyes against the beautiful setting and the happiness practically sparkling around the room. All the things I’d envisioned my wedding would be didn’t match this quiet perfection.

Mine would’ve been more of a bride and groom in a snow globe. Sparkly, pretty, and under glass and water.

Contained and pretty on a shelf.

Just like me.

A shriek of laughter startled me into opening my eyes. Rachel was swept up into Clay’s arms, her veil fluttering behind her as his long-legged gait marched her out of the reception area and toward the atrium.

The music seemed to follow them as if the DJ had been in on the plan.

Willow was dragging Ransom behind her with a laugh, proving that last night’s drama was firmly behind her to enjoy her sister’s happiness. I was still surprised Ransom Douglas had fallen so hard for her.

I’d never been close to Ransom even though he’d grown up with my older brother. I’d been just young enough to be excluded from their circles. As usual, just a little bit on the outside.

Even dating his best friend for years, we’d never become anything more than social acquaintances. Not for my lack of trying, but Ransom had kept himself apart from everyone ever since the night three friendships had been destroyed.

Clay never wanted to discuss that night either.

Secrets were a stock in trade in Manhattan and I was smart enough not to dig too deeply to uncover them. I didn’t like to make waves.

At least that had been part of the five-year plan my mother had laid out for me.

Don’t ruffle feathers, Helena. Be indispensable, Helena. Be the perfect hostess, Helena.

Be invisible.

Secure the ring.

Secure the name.

Clay had been slipping away for years. I’d just been too complacent to face it.

I scanned the room for my “date” and found him on the fringes of the room. He was scrolling his phone with one hand while the other dipped in the pocket of his Brioni suit. Reid was often set apart from people. I never really knew what was going on with him, but this wedding was opening my eyes in ways I never dreamed.

Now I was beginning to wonder if his interest had stemmed from the challenge of getting me away from Clay. Their rivalry was legendary in our social circles. At least it had been until Clay had lost interest in the technology world they both belonged to and focused more on Rachel.