Page 58 of When Forever Falls Apart

“So, you must be Elliot? I’m Stella, the bride, in case that wasn’t obvious,” Stella introduces herself with a grin. “It’s nice to finally meet you since I’ve heard so much about you.”

I rein in my surprise, since I can’t say the same for Stella.

“This wedding is truly something special,” I say, a smile masking my momentary confusion. “Congratulations to both of you.”

Stella relaxes her shoulders and sways to the music with a mint julep in her hand. Like Stella, most of the guests are relaxed and appear to be enjoying themselves.

“Thank you, Elliot. I know it’s not as extravagant as others, but it feels right for us,” she replies, her eyes sparkling with happiness. “Maddy and Myles’s wedding was going to be this massive event. I mean, at the beginning, it was supposed to be small, and Maddy was quite frustrated that it became this whole circus. Oops, maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned that, considering your situation with Maddy?”

“It’s all right,” I quickly reassure her. “I’m aware of the situation.”

Stella shifts her gaze onto the dance floor, then back to me. “So, since you’re already on your second bourbon, I assume Maddy dancing with her ex isn’t sitting well with you?”

“It’s a harmless dance,” I deadpan, unwilling to show my true feelings.

She tilts her head slightly, her lips pursed in contemplation. “Is there such a thing as aharmlessdance? You know, Maddy has spoken very highly of you. She’s quite… smitten, if that’s the right word.”

The comment leaves me questioning the woman dancing with her ex, who has so easily consumed me. One minute, she’s my sister’s annoying best friend, and the next, I’m standing here like a damn fool, wondering what my next move will be.

Still in each other’s arms, Madelina engages in what appears to be a heavy conversation, based on her troubled expression. I lower my eyes to the floor with my teeth clenched as the burning sensation inside my chest intensifies. Slowly, I tilt my head to the left, then right, to loosen my tense muscles before glancing up again.

This time, Madelina appears to be enjoying herself. Her laughter bubbles up effortlessly and her shoulders relax. Myles’s smile widens at the same time Madelina’s eyes sparkle and another wave of laughter escapes her.

I return my focus to Stella, who’s still beside me, but my breathing becomes coarser and faster. “Sorry, what was that you said?” I ask, distracted by the two of them.

Stella lets out a long, drawn-out sigh, accompanied by a sympathetic smile. “Elliot, don’t wait too long to show Maddy what she means to you. She’s something special.”

I press my lips together with a contrived smile while Stella’s words burrow into my mind. A friend of hers approaches, then Stella excuses herself to return to the groom.

Everyone appears to be having a good time, dancing to the music as I sulk like a pathetic loser at the bar. I call for another bourbon, but I nurse the drink rather than consume it irrationally.

“Hey.” Madelina places her hand on my shoulder, the touch igniting a spark within me. “Can we go somewhere else? Somewhere quieter to talk.”

I nod. “Sure.”

Madelina leans over the bar, raising her voice above the music to order a drink. The bartender nods with a wide grin, then hands Madelina a bottle of red wine.

“Let’s go,” she says, her fingers intertwining with mine, pulling me outside where the sun has started to set, painting the sky in hues of fiery red, promising another scorching day ahead.

We walk toward the pond where the ceremony was held, which is far enough from the barn that we can hear each other over the music. Madelina sets the bottle down on a weathered wooden bench and motions for me to join her.

I pop the cork, the sound echoing loudly between us, scaring off the birds roosting in the tree beside the pond. As they fly away into the distance, Madelina takes a generous swig. I follow suit, the change in liquor unsettling on my taste buds.

“I despise weddings,” Madelina confesses. “They wreak havoc on everyone’s emotions.”

“Your emotions?” I question, my tone coming out more bitter than I had intended.

“Yes, well… that was a bit awkward,” she admits, biting her lip while her cheeks flush.

I lower my gaze to the ground. “You looked like you were enjoying it.”

“Hmm, let’s see,” she begins, rubbing her chin with a hint of sarcasm. “My ex-fiancé, who I left at the altar, decides to dance with me to askwhyI ran away, while I’m secretly wondering when my best friend’s older brother became a good kisser.”

“Good?” I tease, my eyes narrowing playfully.

She sighs, unable to look at me. “Great.”

“Just great?” I press further, enjoying seeing her flustered.