The Wedding Party (The Wedding Date, #3)(89)

This was her revenge for telling Alexa all smug that time she should just talk to Drew and tell him how she felt. Why do people even say that? Why had she even said that? “Just talk to him,” like that’s so easy to do. Didn’t they understand how hard, how impossible that was? Why hadn’t she understood that until now?

She knew she’d always wonder how he felt about her if she didn’t find out for sure. She knew she’d always wonder if he’d meant the terrible things he said that day.

But what if he had meant them?

She wanted to punch the Maddie who’d said, “Just talk to him!” to Alexa right in the face.

“Okay!” The minister clapped his hands. “All done with the rehearsal, but no kissing, you two, not until tomorrow!”

Alexa and Drew were holding hands and looking so happy the minister’s bad jokes didn’t even seem to register with them. Drew still looked at Alexa like he couldn’t believe his luck. Maddie wanted that. She looked over at Theo again, but he was looking down at the roses growing along the walkway.

They all walked to their cars to head to the rehearsal dinner, and Maddie found herself wishing she could fall in line with Theo, in the way Nik fell in line with Carlos, and Molly fell in line with Josh. She walked faster to catch up with Olivia.

“Do we think the flower girls will manage tomorrow, or do we think they’ll have a meltdown?” she asked Olivia.

Olivia shook her head.

“It’s about fifty-fifty, but luckily, I think my mom is the only one who really cares. Alexa is just happy their dresses fit.” She slowed down as they approached the stairs. “Hey, can I get a ride with you over to the dinner? I rode over here with Alexa and Drew, since I’m staying at their place, but I want to let the lovebirds have this car ride to themselves, since it’s the last time they’ll get to themselves before tomorrow is over.”

Maddie was relieved she would have someone to talk to on the way over to the dinner, instead of just obsessing about Theo and if he’d meant what he’d said in the middle of that night.

“Of course. Is your mom still furious Alexa refused to stay in a hotel tonight and Drew’s staying in a hotel instead?”

Olivia laughed as they approached Maddie’s car.

“Oh, totally, but what she doesn’t know is that was the compromise. Alexa didn’t want them to spend this night apart at all, but I managed to get her to concede that to Mom. And I agree with her that it seems way easier to get ready for your wedding around all your own stuff. I can only imagine how many things she would have forgotten this morning if she was packing everything to go to a hotel.”

“Yeah.” Maddie pulled out of her parking spot and found herself right behind Theo’s car at the stoplight. He was bopping his head to music in that way she’d always made fun of him for. She sighed.

“I’m so happy Alexa has found someone who loves her so much,” Maddie said.

Olivia handed her a tissue. She hadn’t even realized she’d started crying.

“So am I,” Olivia said.

Maddie hated him. Again. Still. He’d been so relieved she’d said hi to him, and then she’d had that frozen look on her face and steely tone in her voice after he’d responded. She really never wanted him to talk to her again, didn’t she?

He probably shouldn’t have started with “You look beautiful,” but he couldn’t help it. He’d missed her so much. He’d wanted to apologize to her, but he couldn’t do that in the middle of the wedding rehearsal. He didn’t want to put her on the spot like that in public. He’d even taken Ben’s terrible advice and written her a stupid letter and put it in his pocket, but there was no way he could give it to her there. Or maybe ever.

He was happy for Alexa, he really was, but watching her face full of love and excitement for Drew and their new life together while standing next to the woman he loved and who hated him was brutal.

He pulled into a parking spot near the restaurant where the rehearsal dinner was and leaned his head on his steering wheel for a few seconds. He’d spent hours working on that letter, and had finally given up on making it perfect and just folded up the last version he’d written, even though it was way too maudlin and rambling. Oh God, she’d probably laugh at it.

At least the rehearsal was over. He just had to endure the rest of dinner tonight, and then all day tomorrow, and he wouldn’t have to stand near Maddie anymore and pretend away his feelings for her, while trying to be around her as much as possible, just for the glory of seeing her and smelling her and hearing her laugh.

He sighed and got out of his car.

He ran into Carlos and Nik on the way into the restaurant.

“Hey, man. Is Drew ready for tomorrow?”

Carlos laughed and reached for Nik’s hand. Theo looked away. People always got extra touchy-feely on wedding weekends. Unfortunately, all public displays of affection just made him bitter right now. He’d never gotten to do that with Maddie. And never would.

“He’s more than ready. He told me a few months ago that he couldn’t wait to marry her, and even though the past month or so has been frantic with all the wedding planning, he still feels that way more than ever.” Carlos raised his eyebrows at him. “What about you? What’s going on with you and that one over there?” He nodded toward Maddie, standing over by the bar with Olivia.