Authors: Deborah Hughes
Cole’s face tightened, his jaw going rigid. “I was not being rude.”
"You acted as if you wanted to punch him rather than shake his hand. Your attitude stinks."
“Look,” he snapped. “I don’t take dictation from you on what kind of attitude is appropriate to display.”
Alyssa’s mouth dropped open in shock. Why was he talking to her that way? There was no excuse for his being such an ass. Tears stung the back of her eyes and she blinked to keep them at bay. Nothing would ever change between them. The realization hurt more than she cared to admit. Not trusting herself to say another word, she swung around and made for the room Trisha was using until the ceremony began.
“Alyssa? Is something wrong?” Trisha's perceptive gaze narrowed with worry the moment she spied her friend's face.
Jenna turned from her task of fussing with the veil to look at Alyssa in mutual concern.
“No. Nothing's wrong. I just … I just got to thinking about the wedding and well … aren’t people supposed to cry at weddings?” She blinked rapidly, praying for calm and desperate to ignore her hurt feelings.
Smiling with relief that nothing was seriously wrong and getting watery herself, Trisha rushed to her and gave her a hug, taking care not to wrinkle their dresses or mess up their hair. “You are such a sensitive friend, Al. I love you, you know that?”
“I love you too, Trish. You are so very lucky to be marrying Jack. As for him, well, he struck gold.” She pulled from the embrace and somehow managed to warble out a smile. Although she truly was happy for her friend, she couldn't help but wonder if she'd ever have someone love her as Jack loved Trisha. With her chest aching from the pressure of holding back her turbulent emotions, Alyssa turned away and crossed the room toward the mirror. "I better check my makeup." Lifting her gaze upward, she sent up a heartfelt prayer.
Please, please, please, God, help me through this. Don’t let me ruin Trisha’s wedding in any way
.
They heard the music start up, signaling them that the ceremony was about to begin, and Trisha's father entered the room. “It’s time, sweetheart.” He tucked his daughter’s hand in the crook of his arm and motioned for Alyssa to precede them out the door. “Shall we give this young lady to her man now?”
Alyssa winked at her best friend and headed out the door, pausing briefly when she saw all the pews filled nearly to capacity. Of course it was a small country church but still, it was a lot of people for such a short-notice wedding. With a sea of eyes upon her, Alyssa drew in a deep breath and started down the aisle. And it was right then that it really hit her what was happening. Her best friend was getting married. Images floated through her mind of herself and Trisha sharing laughter and good times. They were warm, wonderful memories and they brought a smile to her lips. This was Trisha’s golden day and she couldn’t be happier for her deserving friend.
Jack and Cole stood facing her and she focused on Jack. He looked slightly nervous but happy and excited. Their eyes connected and he gave her a warm smile, nodding with approval as he took in her appearance. Smiling back, Alyssa told herself to not look at Cole but she couldn't seem to keep her eyes from straying there anyway. His expression was shuttered, his mouth pressed in a firm line, a muscle twitching along his jaw. When their eyes connected, there was no smile but the intensity of his gaze made her stomach flutter with nerves. What was he thinking? It was hard to ascertain anything from his stern expression. One thing for certain...they didn't need anyone catching on that they were staring at each other. So she pulled her gaze away then cast it out over the sea of watchful faces and found Paul.
Seeing that she'd spotted him, he gave her a small wave and winked. Her smile widened. Dear, sweet, Paul. He would get her through this night. The thought relaxed her and she made it to the end of the aisle feeling better than she had at the beginning of it. Once she was standing in place, she turned to watch Trisha’s last walk as a single woman and heard Jack’s intake of breath when she appeared with her father.
The ceremony was one of the loveliest she’d ever attended. Not that she'd attended many. Only this one, but still. Trisha’s voice was filled with so much emotion when she said her vows that it made Alyssa's eyes water. Jack’s voice was strong and sure, the love emanating from him leaving no doubt that he cherished his bride and was proud to become her husband. When the priest finally announced them man and wife, Alyssa couldn’t keep the tears from falling. Her eyes lifted and caught Cole’s. His gaze held hers throughout Trisha's and Jack's first kiss as a married couple. When they finally drew apart, Trisha turned to Alyssa and gave her a hug, breaking their contact.
“Thank you for being such a wonderful friend.” Trisha squeezed her tightly for a moment then pulled back to smile at her with eyes shimmering in tears.
Alyssa managed a wobbly smile in return, not trusting herself to speak.
After nodding in understanding for Alyssa's loss for words, Trisha gave her a quick kiss on the cheek then turned to her brother who pulled her into a long, exuberant hug.
"I love you, sis. Be happy." He pressed a kiss to her forehead then stepped back so Jack could claim her once again.
Grinning at each other, joy obviously bursting within them, Trisha and Jack linked hands and walked down the aisle, smiling and waving as people cheered and called out their congratulations.
Cole stepped close to Alyssa and offered his arm. She took it with much reluctance, her hand barely touching him. They followed the couple before them in a far quicker pace, each of them doing their best to hide their strained relationship and pretend that everything was fine.
When they stepped out onto the church steps and Alyssa saw the photographer snapping photos, she dropped her hand from Cole's arm then did her best to blend with the crowd. It wasn't going to be possible to avoid having her picture taken but she was sure as heck going to try anyway. Maybe Trisha, in her joy, would forget about her. The last thing she wanted was to have her picture taken with Cole.
There were several family photos taken before Alyssa's hopes sunk into oblivion. The moment Trisha's gaze starting skimming the crowd, she knew what was coming and braced herself for it.
“Al, you need to be part of these pictures now get over here!"
Jack added his encouragement to the mix. "Yes, Al, get on over here and look beautiful with my lovely wife."
Alyssa made it through the throng on leaden feet. The ensuing pictures would no doubt include she and Cole standing close together and she wasn't looking forward to it one bit.
The first few shots weren't too bad for Alyssa focused on Trisha and Jack. But then Trisha took her hand and Cole's and joined them together. “We must have a picture with just our Best Man and Maid-of-Honor.” Catching Alyssa’s reluctant eye, Trisha waved off any possible argument. “Come on, Al.”
Though she wanted to grind her teeth and growl with frustration, Alyssa dutifully placed herself next to Cole and did her best to look like she was okay with the deplorable task. Though she smiled dutifully, a running dialogue of protest raced through her thoughts. This was just great. If she didn’t love her friend so much, she’d be sorely tempted to bonk her on the head.
Cole knew he was standing stiff as a board but the tension flowing through him made it difficult to relax. Alyssa's tension was so strong it was coming off her in waves. Surely Trisha was going to notice? Though she stood there smiling, it was not a natural smile and her eyes didn't have their usual sparkle. She was not happy to be photographed with him and it was really quite obvious. Not exactly pleased with the situation himself, at least he wasn't seething over it. What was the big deal anyway? Couldn't she just let things be for a few minutes and go with it?
The photographer lowered his camera and shook his head at them. “No, no, no. Look happy. This is a happy day!”
“No kidding. You both look like you’re attending a funeral,” Trisha said, mild accusation taking some of the joy from her eyes. She glanced from one to the other, her face darkening with worry.
It didn't help that those gathered around were watching them with interest and muttering teasing comments. Alyssa could take that well enough but when she saw her parents' mixed expressions of curiosity and puzzlement, it was all she could do not to groan out loud. They'd be asking questions later, she just knew it. As for Jenna, well she looked worried. Not Thomas, though. He seemed to be quite amused. Just what, Alyssa wondered, did he find so funny?
"Come now, arms around each other...and smile." The photographer was losing some patience. He had a schedule to keep and he wasn't about to let them bungle it.
Panic surged through Alyssa when Cole slid his arms across her shoulders. Cameras had a way of capturing things, certain expressions, that she wasn’t prepared for anyone to see. Thanks to his touch, images from last night were filtering through her head, making her heart jump and skip in response. Heat spread through her and she shifted uncomfortably. His hand curled around her bare shoulder and Alyssa briefly closed her eyes, wishing the contact didn't affect her as much as it did. Little shivers raced up and down her spine, giving her the strangest compulsion to move closer. God, what was happening? Cole was her nemesis for cripe sakes.
“Let’s not be all day, folks," someone called from the crowd. "We still have the reception to get to and I’m hungry.”
The comment was followed by enthusiastic clapping and calls of encouragement.
The injured look on Trisha's face caused Alyssa's panic to spread. They needed to get through this and quickly. As it was they were attracting far too much attention. Alyssa turned slightly toward Cole and slid an arm around his waist. Then, with a lift of her chin, she let go of her resentment and looked up at him, meeting his eyes. Forbidden thoughts filled her mind, thoughts of Cole’s arms wrapped around her, his mouth plundering hers, his body pressed close.
She allowed the feelings to invade her body. Allowed the ecstasy his kisses brought her to shine through. Hopefully he'd mistake whatever he saw in her eyes as great acting. Hopefully.
Cole sucked in his breath. Mesmerized by the look in her eyes, he stared back and didn't care if his eyes reflected the sensual images running rampant through his mind. The damned photographer better hurry the hell up or he was going to be giving them one heck of a picture.
“Ah, that is much better.” Several pictures were snapped while instructions were given on how to stand for each shot. An eternity later, it was over. "That should do it, thanks."
Alyssa stepped away from Cole and looked for Paul, finding him with her parents. He gave her a smile when she joined them, his eyes meeting hers and conveying his understanding. Alyssa smiled back. It was good to have someone around who understood what she was going through.
Trisha blew her a kiss. “We’ll meet you at the reception!” She then grabbed Jack's hand and they ran to the waiting limo while well-wishers called out and threw bird seed at them. The Mourning Doves and pigeons that hung out around the church were going to have a great dinner!
Cole made his way to Alyssa and touched her arm. "Shall we head over to the reception?”
"Oh, well, I thought I'd ride with Paul." Alyssa turned to her friend. "Is that okay?"
Before Paul could answer, her mother shook her head. "You should ride with Cole, Allie. The photographer will be there waiting to take more pictures and I think you should arrive together. In fact, I believe the limo is waiting for you to follow behind them."
Alyssa turned to see that was exactly the case. The tinted windows made it impossible to see Trisha and Jack but the limo driver was definitely watching them. Not wanting to cause another scene or raise more questions in her parents' minds, Alyssa reluctantly agreed with her mother. She gave Paul a parting hug. "I'll see you at the reception then."
They went to his truck in a manner quite different than they had earlier. At least Cole was acknowledging her presence and she wasn't pretending to be ignoring his. He opened the door for her and let his gaze slide over her legs as she settled into her seat.
Unlike the silent, uncomfortable ride they'd endured to the church, a peaceful silence settled between them this time around. Although Alyssa was grateful for it, she was also curious as to what Cole was thinking about. Certainly not what was going through her own head. No. As for herself, she was affirming her need to do nothing to jog Cole's memory about what had gone on between them at his place. In his bed. It was obvious he couldn't remember and she wanted to keep it that way.
The fact that he attracted her was not so bad really. He was a very handsome, sexy man. Any red-blooded woman would be crazy not to appreciate that. Physical attraction could be handled easily enough. Just so long as her feelings didn’t get involved she'd be fine. Surely there was no chance of her falling in love with him.
Shock went through her for bringing that word into play and she immediately had a firm talk with herself.
Why in the world would you think something like that, Alyssa? Of course you don't love him. Why would you even bring it up?
Was she getting delusional? Surely she wasn’t going to let a brief moment of mad passion cloud her thinking? No. Of course not. Just the same, it would probably be best to steer clear of Cole during the rest of the evening. Her thinking processes went slightly awry when he was around. Love indeed.
Wondering what Alyssa was thinking about, Cole gave her covert glances but could glean nothing from her changing expressions. She seemed to be disturbed about something but not, he didn't think, with him. At least not at the moment. He was still reeling with questions on that look she gave him on the church steps. It had seared right through him. He’d had a crazy urge in that moment to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless.
Figuring it best to think of something else, his mind wandered to the ceremony. Though he tried to keep his focus on the married couple, anything but her, he couldn't keep the image of Alyssa walking down the aisle from invading his thoughts. She was looking incredibly beautiful today. But then there probably wasn't an instance when she didn't look great. He'd been terrified his body was going to embarrass him right there in front of everyone. It had taken every ounce of control to keep his hormones under control. And when their gazes locked while Trisha and Jack kissed, he'd wanted to step forward and do the same to her.