Take Three (The Jilted Bride #2)(69)

“I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride,” the pastor smiled.

In one swoop, Matt pulled Melody into his arms and kissed her passionately—caressing her face, looking into her eyes, whispering several words that we in the audience couldn’t hear.

Once he let her go—which took quite a while, a loud applause rose, and the small crowd stood to its feet.

Matt scooped Melody into his arms and carried her down the aisle as the guests threw rice at them.

“Cocktail hour is in the lake house!” a woman, I assumed Melody’s mother, shouted.

I followed everyone towards a white wooden building and let myself in. There was candy everywhere—Skittle inspired cocktails, chocolate fountains, wines paired with caramel coated pretzels, and heart shaped hors d’oeuvres.

I grabbed a glass of chocolate mousse and sat by the wall of windows, wondering when the reception would begin. I wanted to drink myself into oblivion.

A couple of guests nodded their heads at me from time to time, but everyone was too involved in their own conversations to bother talking to me.

In my loneliness, I couldn’t help but to think of Ethan. If he had come with me I would’ve had someone to talk to, someone to sit next to at dinner. Then again, I told myself I should be glad he didn’t show up.

I hoped he’d forgotten all about the wedding and moved on to someone else. Since he was a billionaire I figured he could get any woman he wanted, someone who wouldn’t mind putting up with his lies as long as he showed her the world and gave her free coffee every day.

I looked up at one of the fountains and saw a handsome man wink at me. I decided it was time for me to move on to someone else too.

I downed my chocolate mousse and walked over to him. “Good evening. I’m Selena.”

“I know exactly who you are,” he took a sip of his wine. “You’re Selena Ross. I’m John.”

“Nice to meet you, John…How do you know Matt and Melody?”

“I worked with Melody at The New York Appeal,” he smiled. “We were all pretty bummed when she quit on us… So, you and Matt Sterling are still friends?”

“Something like that. What do you do for a liv—”

“But you cheated on him with that older guy!”

“I—”

“How could you do that to Matt? And how does Melody feel about you?”

“I’m—”

“Do they even know you’re here? Is that why you sat in the back? Are you planning to get revenge on Matt by crashing his wedding? Are you—”

I felt two familiar arms wrapping around my waist. “I don’t think she’s obligated to answer any of your rude and inappropriate questions. I suggest you stay away from her for the rest of the night or I’ll keep you away. Your choice.”

John turned red and scuttled across the room.

I wriggled out of Ethan’s embrace and turned around. “I hope you don’t expect me to say thank you.”

“I would never…Good evening, Selena.”

I didn’t say anything back. I just looked him up and down.

He was still as gorgeous as the first day I met him; still devastatingly sexy and able to make me melt with that ridiculous smile.

I walked away from him and sat in the back of the room. Half of me wanted him to follow me, but the other half wanted him to take pride in saving me from John’s stupid questions and go away. Far away.

He sat beside me and cleared his throat. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been wonderful, and yourself?” I didn’t even try to sound convincing.

“Not great, to be honest… I’ve missed you.”

“I wish I could say the same.”

“So you meant that you never wanted to see me again?”

“Yes. Go away.”

“Why Selena?” he lifted my hand and kissed it.

“Ethan, you lied to me…And you put my mom’s bakery out of business.”

“I’m sorry for lying to you. That was wrong and I’m very sorry…And I’m extremely sorry about Sweet Seasons. I promise it wasn’t personal.”

“It wasn’t personal? Bullshit! Twenty two people lost their jobs, Ethan! You don’t think that qualifies as personal? As soon as you found out it was my mother’s shop you should’ve said something to me!”

“I’m sorry. I—”

“Are you really?” I felt myself getting angry all over again. “Or are you just saying that to get something else you want? Is there another pie recipe your company is after? Give me the address and I’ll mail you the whole book.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, the reception will begin in ten minutes!” a man tapped a spoon to his glass. “Please follow me!”

I snatched my hand away from Ethan and made a dash for the reception.

I didn’t look back.

I walked inside the enormous tent and gasped: Bright white lights were strung all across the top of the black backdrop; they looked like they were twinkling stars. Each table was set with lavish white centerpieces—four foot crystal vases, freshly cut roses, and floating lilies. There were crystallized name plates in front of every seat, and a silver customized menu that was in the shape of an Old Hollywood movie ticket.