Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
I turned off the light.
There. Much better.
Millie hadn’t lied about keeping things professional. She was cool and businesslike as she reminded everyone where to go and what to do, dealt with everyone from musician to photographer to florist to officiant with courtesy and efficiency, and got the ceremony going on time.
We only made eye contact once, when greeting each other, but stayed a good five feet apart. I think she nodded in my direction. I shoved my hands in my pockets.
After waiting in a back room, I played my part dutifully, escorting Lori’s mother to her seat and taking a chair opposite her in the front row. Mason and his groomsmen were already in place, and he smiled nervously at me and pushed his hair off his face with that familiar gesture. I returned the smile, hoping it was reassuring, although I knew all eyes were on me, wondering who I was and why I’d walked Mrs. Campion up the aisle but sat on the groom’s side. The only other guests in the front row with me were a gay couple Mason was close to through his running club and his mentor teacher, plus her husband.
Lori’s side was much fuller, and I was glad I’d shown up for Mason, even though I wasn’t comfortable and already wondered how long I had to stay at the reception.
When the ceremony was over, I walked back down the aisle solo and went straight for the bar at the far end of the room. I was standing off to one side sipping a cocktail and trying to be invisible when Mason found me. “Hey, Zach.”
“Hey, Mason.” I shook his hand. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” He grinned. “We’re taking some photos now. Would you please be in some of them?”
I swallowed the no that my mouth wanted to form and tossed back the rest of my drink. “Sure.”
“Great. Follow me.” He led the way back to the front of the room, where the wedding party and Lori’s family had gathered in front of the massive windows. The arch had been removed, and the photographer’s assistant was lining everyone up. She noticed Mason and smiled.
“You found him?”
“Yes.” He gestured to me and said proudly, “This is my dad.”
I felt woozy and off balance, but I stood where the woman directed me to stand, between Mason and his groomsmen. My gut was tight, imagining myself in these wedding photos—I felt like I was ruining them somehow. I didn’t deserve this place of honor in his photos or in his life. But I stood there and tried to look at ease, if not happy. I hoped those damn lines between my brows weren’t showing.
Mason asked for me to be in a photo with him and Lori and her parents, and I did that too. Then I posed for one with just him. All the while, I could feel everyone’s inquisitive stares and hear their curious whispers. Anyone who’d been at the rehearsal dinner knew the story, so it was bound to be making the rounds by now.
I took a moment to mop my forehead with a handkerchief. Mason looked at me and said, “You okay?”
“Yeah. Just a little uncomfortable.” I tucked the white cotton square back into my pocket. “Photo sessions aren’t really my thing.”
“I understand. We’re done now. Thank you so much for this.” And he threw his arms around me, just like he had at the restaurant two days earlier. “It means so much to me. And somehow I feel like my mom is watching, and it means a lot to her too.”
That caught me off guard. “Huh?”
“After all, she sent you, didn’t she?” Mason released me and smiled. “I decided the letter was always meant to be found. She had a plan for us all along. And I’ll tell you another secret.”
I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear another secret. “Okay.”
He leaned closer and whispered, “Lori is pregnant. You’re going to be a grandpa. Isn’t that great?”
My left eyelid twitched. Had he said grandpa? Fucking grandpa?
Lori approached and hooked her arm through Mason’s. “Ready for some champagne, Mr. Holt?”
“I am, Mrs. Holt. But none for you,” he added softly. They grinned at each other, and I continued feeling like I was having an out-of-body experience.
“Thanks for being here, Zach, and for the role you played.” Lori smiled at me. “I know this can’t be easy.”
“It’s fine. I’m fine.” Stiffly, I leaned forward and kissed her cheek. Forced some nice words. “Congratulations.”
Back at the bar, I ordered a double shot of whiskey and made a beeline for the room I’d been in before the ceremony began. I needed a moment alone to pull myself together.
What the fuck was happening to my life?
I was so agitated, I didn’t realize I’d chosen the wrong door off the back hallway until I’d shut it behind me and found myself in an office.