Boss I Love to Hate: An Office Romance(46)

I cleared my throat, but nothing came out, not a single word. My palms began to sweat like a dripping faucet. I closed my eyes for a quick second and took a deep breath through my nose. When I opened my eyes, they zoned in on Brad, who gave me a little smile, giving me the courage to continue and dimming my nervousness just a tad.

And I started, “Love is patient, love is kind …”

I uttered the words of one of the most famous scripture readings of the Bible, my eyes still on Brad, and for a brief moment, all the noise in the room dimmed, and the people and congregation faded to a blur.

My pulse slowed to an even beat, and my voice was loud and clear. All my attention was focused on the man in front of me.

When I recited the line, “It does not boast, it is not proud,” his smile widened, which made my insides lighten because proud was the epitome of who Brad was and boasting was his pastime.

Before I knew it, I steadily uttered the last line. “Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

And, as I stepped down from the podium, I realized that this was also what Brad represented. When I thought of his devotion to his family and how he loved his nieces, this verse reminded me of him.

I waved to Carrie and Tim when I made my way to my seat, overjoyed that I’d had an opportunity to be a part of their wedding, contribute in this way as a reader.

When I entered the pew, Brad’s hand intertwined with mine, and he kissed the top.

“You did beautifully.” He smiled and fingered an escaping strand of hair, tucking it behind my ear. “I love that passage. We’ll have to have it at our wedding.”

“Har-har-har.” I rolled my eyes.

We both watched as Carrie and Tim began their vows, pledging their love for one another, and a familiar longing pulsed in my chest.

When Brad squeezed my hand, the tender gesture had the first tear falling down my cheek. I swiped at my cheek, and when I did, his hold tightened.

Like an unpredictable gentleman, he plucked tissues from his pocket and handed me one. He said in a low voice, “I Googled what to bring to a wedding.”

“You’re such a dork,” I whispered.

Soon, the officiant pronounced them as man and wife, and the congregation was on their feet. My smile could not be dimmed as the groom kissed the bride, and they practically skipped down the aisle and made their way back to the front to take pictures.

Two sweet little girls with a crown of flowers in their hair passed out little clear containers with bubbles. Blow kisses for the new couple was written on the label along with the newlyweds’ initials.

Brad followed behind me with his hand on the small of my back as we made our way outside to wait for the couple to make their rounds again.

“Sonia.”

I froze from the sound of my name falling from his lips. I’d remember that voice in my sleep, in my dreams, after I was dead.

I inhaled deeply, turned around, and plastered a smile on my face. So wide that my cheeks hurt from the strain.

Jeff stood there, almost six feet in height, dapper in a black suit, red tie, and glasses very similar to my black frames. His girlfriend was in a skintight fiery-red dress, which hugged her figure like Saran Wrap.

My stomach rolled, and my heartbeat slowed. At that moment, I remembered what heartbreak was and was reverted back to months ago when I had cried for hours on my couch. I wanted to do it again, right here and now.

“Hey.” I pushed confidence in my tone that I didn’t have. There were so many things to say, so many questions to ask, but so much time had passed so that one word was all I had. My whole body froze when Brad slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me flush against him.

“Hey.” Jeff’s eyes immediately flew to assess Brad.

Funny enough, his girlfriend’s eyes appraised Brad as well.

“Crazy how they got married, right?” Jeff said, attempting small talk.

“Yeah.” Not really, given they’d been together forever. I simply nodded. My gaze focused on my pointy designer shoes, a name I couldn’t even pronounce.

A short silence filled the awkward space between us, and of course, Brad was the first to speak. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?” Brad moved his hand lower on my back, just above my ass cheek. He extended his other hand, introducing himself to Jeff and his date. “Brad.” His smile was cocky and confident. “Sonia’s boyfriend.” The words rolled out of his mouth in a possessive, masculine manner that made me think he’d pound his chest, caveman-style, next.

I inhaled deeply and held my breath because, even though I had this fine man beside me, I wanted to cower and hide and run back home to the comfort of my couch.

Jeff smirked, but I knew this smirk; it was a tiny, forced smile that told me he wasn’t too happy, which didn’t make a lick of sense because he had dumped me.

“Nice to meet you, man.” Jeff gripped Brad’s hand in one of those manly handshakes. “I’m Jeff.”

“Jeff?” Brad spat out the word like it was brussels sprouts in his mouth. Then, his eyes met mine. “Oh, is this the ex?” he asked, pretending to be quiet but fully knowing they could hear him.

I had to give Brad credit. In his former life, he’d probably been an award-winning actor.

My eyes widened, but Brad continued. “Oh.” He let out a low laugh. “I guess I expected something … different.” His eyes scanned Jeff’s suit as though he had a piece of dirt on it, and since it wasn’t a designer, it wasn’t good enough.