Mine Would Be You (15)

“Hey, superstar, how have you been? Harps, Sloan, what’s good?”

I keep the forced smile on my face as we embrace Lewis, Myles’s high school best friend, and I let myself gain a little bit of comfort from it. A small piece of happy history.

“I’ve been good. Figured I’d see you guys here,” I say as I embrace the other old friend, Drew. When I make eye contact with them, there is a thinly-veiled twinkle of sympathy, but I ignore it and the annoyance that follows.

“Come on,” Lewis says to me with a smile, and I loop my arm with his as Sloan and Harper share Drew. They walk us down to the middle of the groom’s side, and we take the first three seats, with me in between my two friends.

He leans down and places a kiss on my cheek. “It’s good to see you, seriously. We’ll catch up at the reception.”

I smile, but it’s forced. The reality of seeing all his old friends, who were just as much my own friends, hits me hard. It’s a tortured feeling, seeing how far removed I am from everything I used to be a part of. As if Sloan can sense my growing unease, she reaches over and grips my hand, giving me a gentle squeeze.

My hair floats lightly as a breeze passes through. Even high up, it’s warm as the sun beats down on us and people start to trickle in. The rest of the bridal party stays hidden, just Lewis and Drew leading people to seats on either the bride’s or groom’s side. I recognize a good amount of people on the groom’s side, getting a few waves and soft hello’s before they take their own seats.

I try to keep my thoughts focused on Sloan’s hand holding mine and the beautiful view. Briefly it reminds me of waking up in that high-rise apartment, although the view from the apartment was much higher, clearer. It was captivating.

“Oh, here we go.” Harper places her hand on my shoulder.

Myles is walking his parents down the aisle.

He hasn’t seen me yet. He’s deep in conversation with his mom and dad, whom I absolutely adored when we were together. I still do, but I haven’t seen them in years. With the warm, big smiles on their faces and twinkling eyes, it’s easy to see how happy they are for him. The sight makes relief bloom in my chest. My heart squeezes as his mom sees me first, and her smile widens as she blows me a kiss, like she used to.

I give her a smile back as his dad finally sees me, throwing me a wink like always, until my eyes finally land on Myles. There’s a soft, blissful expression on his face, and the joy is clear in his brown eyes. A million things float through our wordless conversation that seems to stop time just for a second.

It’s bittersweet, knowing we loved each other but still ended up apart.

I never thought I’d be watching Myles get married, that’s for sure.

“I’ll be home before you know it.” Myles says, forcing me to look at him on my window seat. He leaves for college tomorrow.

“I’m just nervous.” I bite my lip, not explaining further. About the long distance. About how I’m terrified he’ll forget about me and find someone better.

He cups my face. “Don’t be, Nina.” Before I can protest, he kisses me softly and takes all my fears with it. “I’m not looking for anyone else. I don’t want anyone else.”

Exhaling, I fight to force that memory out, force his voice out of my head.

Because that’s exactly what happened. He may not have been looking, but he did find someone else.

I turn my head forward as they start to move past, breaking our eye contact. My eyes prick a bit, but I blink until the feeling disappears. He takes his place near the justice of the peace, who gives him a small handshake and a smile. Myles turns, his eyes scanning the full seats of the ceremony space.

Just as they land on me, as our eyes connect, the music starts, allowing me to turn away, ignoring the overwhelming emotions growing in my chest.

I recognize most of the groomsmen as expected, maybe one or two from college, then Lewis and Drew, and when they walk by, you can see a peek of the fun-colored socks they all have on. Their respective bridesmaids, who all look stunning, are dressed in long lilac gowns to stick with the theme.

But as the best man steps out with the maid of honor, I swear to god my heart steps out of my chest and jumps off the edge of the building.

This has to be a joke.

“Is that . . ?”

“No fucking way.”

I’m almost shocked by the curse word that leaves Sloan’s mouth and not Harper’s, but my brain is short-circuiting as my mouth practically falls open.

“Am I being punked?”

It’s Jackson. My weird, attempted, not-quite one-night stand.

My hand goes limp in Sloan’s as he starts walking down the aisle with the maid of honor, and my eyes are glued to him.

His blond curls are the same short length, and his smile is as bright as the sun shining over us. The only difference is he’s in a suit. A crisp, clean black suit that fits him like a glove. Even with the fun red socks peeking out of his dress pants, he looks immaculate.

The maid of honor and he are in a quiet conversation as they walk, and he hasn’t seen me yet. Thank god. I’m not sure I want him to because between him and Myles, I might actually step over the side of the building.

I duck my head, letting my short hair cover my face as he passes our aisle, and even so, that pure, bright energy radiating off him reaches me. Sloan gives my hand a squeeze and Harper latches onto my other one. Myles gives him a big grin and a handshake as he steps up to take his place next to him.