She tipped her head back and stuck out her tongue to catch the snowflakes, and when she laughed, the joyful sound sent another deep pang of longing through Evan. Snow powdered her hair, and the porch light morphed her into something ethereal, a beautiful fairy with white crystals melting on her tongue.
Exactly the way he’d melted into her. No matter how wrong it might be.
Chapter Five
It was already the most beautiful wedding ever…and the bride hadn’t even appeared yet.
The boys, as Susan lovingly called the Mavericks, had set up the latticed arbor, knotted with silk flowers, in front of the fireplace. The Christmas decorations had come down, and the room was now adorned with garlands and silver bells. The light dusting of snow outside the windows made the scene truly stunning.
The guest list wasn’t large, just good friends. Noah Bryant, the Mavericks’ lawyer, with his wife, Colbie. Cal Danniger, their business manager, who always seemed to be with a different woman. Award-winning vintner Marcus Sullivan and his rock star wife, Nicola. As well as movie star Smith Sullivan and his brilliant wife, Valentina. Paige found Marcus, Nicola, Smith, and Valentina to be totally down-to-earth. Fortunately, she was used to being around the Mavericks, who were regular people at heart, despite their enormous wealth and to-die-for good looks. Harper and Will could have gone for a huge wedding, but this understated affair was a much better fit than any glittering, lavish event would have been.
As the first bars of the Wedding March rang out, everyone stood—and gasped as Harper appeared on her brother Jeremy’s arm. She was beyond beautiful in a gorgeous cream-colored suit edged with braid, a lacy blouse beneath. Paige loved that she hadn’t chosen a traditional wedding dress, her blond hair pulled up in a classic knot with artful tendrils curling around her face.
Will’s reaction was everything Paige had known it would be. So much love for his bride radiated from him that it stole Paige’s breath.
She remembered the first time she’d met Harper and Jeremy. Paige had felt Will’s deep love for Harper even then, the way his eyes followed her wherever she went. There’d also been a softening about him that she’d never seen before—not just for Harper, but for Harper’s brother as well. Will had not only fallen in love with a kind beautiful woman, he’d fallen in love with her family too.
Will mouthed, I love you, to Harper, and Paige’s heart flip-flopped in her chest. They were so adorable. So good to each other. The kind of couple who made you wish everyone could find a love like that. Paige certainly wished she could find the same beautiful love they shared.
Her gaze instinctively searched for Evan in the audience, one row up and to the right—only to find that he was looking at her too. For a long moment, their eyes held.
All night long, Paige had relived those sinfully sweet moments in Evan’s arms, his taste on her tongue, his hands on her face, in her hair, his mouth taking hers with such passion. Such need. She could still hardly believe it had happened.
Evan had kissed her.
She knew no one had witnessed their kiss, because if they had, not one of the Mavericks or their significant others would have been able to hold back their questions and commentary.
Jeremy’s voice pulled her attention back to where he and Harper now stood at the end of the aisle before Will. “I know my mom and dad would have loved Harper and Will getting married. And I love it too.” Jeremy said his lines proudly, giving Harper into Will’s care. “Did I do okay?” he whispered loudly to Will.
Chuckles spread through the audience, and Will smiled with deep affection at his almost brother-in-law. “You did great.”
Jeremy flashed a huge grin at Will, then Harper, and finally took his seat in the front row, bursting with excitement and happiness.
Susan was beaming in the front row near Evan, a tissue in her hand as she dabbed at the corner of her eye, while Bob put his arm around her and smiled from cheek to cheek. Paige hadn’t known Susan well when Whitney and Evan had their no-expense-spared wedding—one so grand it was featured in several major bridal and society magazines. But she was sure Susan would have cried then too, hoping for their happiness. Happiness that never came to be.
“Dearly beloved,” the officiant began, “we are gathered here today to celebrate the wedding of Harper Newman and Will Franconi.” She smiled at the bride and groom. “I’m pleased to say that our celebrants have prepared their own vows.”
Will curled his fingers around Harper’s. “For so long, I didn’t believe I would ever love anyone. I didn’t believe I ever could love anyone. But then you and Jeremy came unexpectedly into my life, and I fell for both of you in an instant. One smile. One laugh. That was all it took. I will always love you, Harper. I will always love your family.” Will looked fondly at Jeremy and smiled. “Your brother is my brother. My heart is your heart. My life is your life.”
Paige’s eyes misted at Will’s beautiful words. She didn’t want to sit here and compare this wedding with Whitney and Evan’s, but it was impossible not to. When she glanced at Evan and saw him sitting ramrod straight, his expression tight and shuttered, she knew he must be remembering the vows he’d made to her sister.
Whitney had promised to love and honor Evan. But she never truly had.
And all the while her sister had been glowing in her ornate wedding gown, Paige had been standing beside her as maid of honor, wearing a pink dress that was too frilly and shiny. Dying inside.
Because Paige had loved Evan from the moment she’d walked into his classroom. She’d never admitted the truth to anyone—but that didn’t make it any less real.