Baiting the Maid of Honor (Wedding Dare #2)(42)

She gasped. “How did you know about that?”

“I didn’t. I suspected it when I interrupted you two. You just confirmed my hunch.”

“How come you haven’t won a Pulitzer yet?”

Christine smirked. “All in good time.”

Feeling slightly better, even though she still had a lot to think about, Julie flopped back on the bed. She didn’t believe Christine’s assessment of Reed, but she needed to stop thinking about him for now. Against her will, she’d let herself develop some seriously complicated feelings for a man who saw her faults way too easily. One who would leave her behind at the earliest opportunity. She spoke around the lump in her throat. “Your turn. What had Tyler walking out of here like a scolded toddler?

Christine stared off into space. “It’s a long, long story.”

“I’ve got time.”





Chapter Sixteen


Well heck, Julie thought, surveying the nearly silent bridal party in the ballroom. Where was Reed? Rain and howling wind battered the floor-to-ceiling windows, putting a damper on the already-gloomy mood inside and preventing escape to the outdoors. The atmosphere was so thick, if you tried to cut it with a knife, the knife would get good and stuck. Leaving you weaponless. Sort of how she felt at the moment. Defenseless, unsure of herself. Anxious.

Would Reed show up to dance rehearsals or blow it off? Just the thought of seeing him made her pulse pound, even as she dreaded coming face-to-face with him after their last encounter. Seeing the judgment on his face. The pity. Perhaps she’d see none of it. Only the evidence that he’d mentally moved on.

Which would be worse? At this point, Julie couldn’t tell. Nor could she allow herself to think about it another second. Pigs would fly before she spent the anniversary of Serena’s death obsessing over a stubborn, unavailable man. Four years ago today, when she’d received the call that would forever be seared into her brain, she’d been on the way to hang banners at a pep rally for the football team, deciding which postgame party to attend, wondering if her butt looked fat from certain angles in the mirror. So frivolous. Pointless. She wouldn’t be that girl again. Worrying about things she couldn’t change. Reed was one of those things.

Julie took a fortifying breath and surveyed the room. Apparently she and Reed weren’t the only ones who’d quarreled. Christine and Tyler were having a hushed, seemingly tense conversation on the far side of the room, Regan was pointedly ignoring Brock, and Sophie—well, damn, she’d gone and dressed herself up like a rebellious preacher’s daughter. She looked dynamite. Julie raised her eyebrows when she saw Logan take careful notice of the transformation. Kady and Colton entered the room laughing, but their steps faltered as the obvious tension rolled over them, too.

“Uh…good evening?” Kady said hesitantly.

Julie swallowed her nerves as Francois entered the ballroom behind the smitten couple, saving them from an uncomfortable silence when no one responded to the bride-to-be’s greeting. A middle-aged man with obviously dyed jet-black hair, Francois’s every movement appeared planned, elegant. With a flutter of his fingers, he waved without looking to the sullen group and crossed to Julie, whom he’d correctly guessed—probably from the huge smile plastered to her face—was in charge. Hopefully he couldn’t tell her face felt seconds from crumbling. She’d planned this wedding to perfection, wanting it to be beautiful and memorable for her friend. Yet judging from the mood, everyone seemed hell-bent on ruining it. After Reed calling her out in the forest, even she was questioning her own motivation. Did she enjoy the exhaustive planning or was she punishing herself? No time to think about it now.

“Monsieur!” Julie added extra wattage to her smile and held out her hand, which the dance instructor shook once, inclining his head. “As you can tell, we are so excited to begin. Been looking forward to this for days, in fact.”

She politely ignored the snort leveled from Regan’s direction.

Francois nodded, giving everyone a critical once-over. “Right, then. So this is what I’m working with.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Everyone get a partner. Your hour has begun and we must not waste anyone’s time. Mine especially.”

Everyone shifted uncomfortably, unsure of who to partner with. When an impatient Francois clapped his hands loudly, Regan strolled over to Logan, put her hand on his shoulder, and sent him a dazzling smile, which he eventually returned, if slightly less enthusiastic. Tyler whispered something to Christine and helped her to the dance floor. Gaze still fixed on Regan, Brock held out a hand to Sophie, who gratefully accepted.

It struck Julie that she didn’t have a partner. Reed still hadn’t walked through the door. Francois was busy walking around, correcting everyone’s posture. She’d just have to learn the dance visually. Julie backed away from the group until she connected with the wall, leaning against it. She would not let this upset her. She would not. Tears threatened under her eyelids nonetheless. Tears that had nothing to do with dance lessons, prickly instructors, or feuding friends. Things that would normally get under her skin so deep she wouldn’t rest until she righted them. Instead, she encountered sorrow for her sister, self-pity for herself, anger toward Reed for dredging up all these emotions, then leaving her to drown in them. It all rose to the surface, pulling her under. Thankfully, everyone appeared too caught up in their own situation to notice her smile finally fall prey to the pressure.