Page 99 of Mistletoe Mistake
Despite Cole's efforts to keep the wedding relatively quiet, word had somehow leaked out and the paparazzi had gathered outside to take pictures of all the guests as they arrived. After all, it wasn't every day one of the richest men in the country got married, and to the daughter of a British earl, no less. That would be enough on its own, even before throwing in Gemma's previous engagement and the British media interest in it.
It frustrated Cole anyway. He preferred to have more control.
“People are happy for you,” I pointed out. No one could say anything negative about two people so obviously in love with each other. “Let them take a picture or two. Don't let it ruin your day.”
He sighed, closing his eyes briefly. “I've told you that I hate it when you're right, haven't I?”
“A few times,” I replied drily, giving him a smug smile. “Now, what do you need me to do? We've still got about twenty minutes before the ceremony. Any last-minute best man duties?”
“I'm fine, but could you go make sure Gemma's got everything she needs? She left her phone back at the apartment so I can't call her.”
I would bet anything that Gemma's maid of honour had everything under control, but I also knew that Cole would feel better if I went to take a look, so I didn't argue. Stepping out into the hall, I made my way down the corridor and across the church foyer to the room set aside for the bridal party to get ready.
My knock on the door was followed by a call of “just a minute” in a crisp, British accent. A moment later, the door opened just a crack, revealing a face I hadn't seen in almost a year.
“Well, well, well. Someone cleans up very nicely. I'm impressed, Jackson,” she teased, opening the door wider as she looked me up and down. Holly Chapman was Gemma's best friend and colleague, as well as her maid of honour. She'd flown over from London for the wedding, but had only arrived late the day before so we hadn't had a chance to catch up yet. I was laying eyes on her for the first time since the previous December.
“No one will be looking at me when you look like that,” I replied, returning the compliment sincerely. “You're a vision, Holly. It's wonderful to see you.”
One year on, Holly was just as beautiful as I remembered. Her blond hair had been swept up into an elegant twist, her cheeks and lips perfectly pink to match the pale pink dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her skin was somehow still tanned and glowing in the middle of winter, and her blue eyes stood out against her slightly bronzed face, drawing me in just as quickly as they always had.
Holly and I had spent a fair bit of time together in London on the same business trip where Cole met Gemma. I had been attracted to her right from the start and she assured me the attraction was mutual, but to my disappointment, she wasn't interested in a relationship, especially not with an American only in town for a couple of weeks.
She suggested that we simply enjoy each other's company instead, including in bed, but that had never been my style. I declined her offer to get more physical and we spent time together seeing the city and getting to know one another, as well as spending time with Cole and Gemma. I loved every minute we spent together, and since returning home, she had crossed my mind far more often than I would ever admit. Even so, I had never reached out to her and she hadn't contacted me either. There didn't seem to be any point. I had plenty of friends I could call up when I needed a pleasant conversation. What I had wanted from her was something more, something that wouldn’t happen if she didn’t want it too.
“So, what brings you over to our side of the church?” Holly asked with a laugh. “Shouldn't you be keeping the groom from getting cold feet?”
“That's the least of my worries,” I scoffed light-heartedly. “When Cole decides he's doing something, he doesn't look back. Nothing is stopping this wedding from taking place today.”
That answer seemed to satisfy Holly as she gave me an approving nod. She wanted Gemma to be happy, and we both knew how happy Gemma and Cole made each other, so we had nothing to worry about on that end.
“What can I do for you, then?” she asked, reminding me that I still hadn't got to the point about what had brought me to her door.
“Cole just sent me to make sure everything's under control. Is there anything you need?”
“I think we’re okay,” she said before turning back into the room. “Gem? Jackson wants to know if you need anything?”
Gemma came around the corner of the door with a smile on her face, and the sight of her in her wedding dress nearly knocked me over. I put my hand to my heart, taking a staggered step back. Both women laughed at my dramatics, but I was only half-faking. She looked truly stunning.
Since Gemma moved to New York to live with Cole at the beginning of that year, she had become one of my best friends. The three of us often hung out together, and during the later stages of her pregnancy, whenever Cole had to travel for business, I stayed behind to take her to her doctor's appointments or get her whatever she needed.
Sometimes, it felt like I lived vicariously through their relationship, but seeing just how devoted they were to each other gave me hope. True love really did exist, and eventually, I would find it for myself. But not right at that second. Not until after I watched my best friend marry the love of his life.
“Cole's not going to know what hit him,” I told Gemma sincerely, taking another moment to admire the sheer perfection of her dress and the way the whiteness of it brought out her flaming red hair and sparkling green eyes. No one would ever guess by looking at her in that dress that she gave birth less than three months ago to the most adorable little boy I had ever seen.
Cole was a damn lucky man.
“Alright, well, you better stop distracting us and let us get back to work,” Holly instructed, shooing me back out into the hall. “We only have about ten minutes left. I guess I'll see you at the altar, Jackson.”
She gave me a wink, and I grinned back, even though her words gave my heart a little twinge at just how close to my own secret desires they hit. “See you at the altar, Holly.”
~Holly~
As soon as I closed the door behind Jackson, I let out a long breath, letting the tension in my shoulders release. Ever since Gemma asked me to be her maid of honour, I had been simultaneously dreading and anticipating that exact moment, the moment I came face-to-face with Jackson again.
I'd lost count of how many times over the last year he'd crossed my mind, usually late at night when I went home to my flat all alone. Lying in the dark, I remembered his warm smile, the way the corners of his eyes crinkled and his adorable dimples came out when he laughed, which happened often, and the way his lips felt when they brushed against mine the last time I saw him, the night we said goodbye.
Over and over again, I questioned whether I had been wrong to push him away as I had. He seemed so sincere when he said he felt a connection between us, that he wanted something deeper than just a casual fling, and I could still see the look of sadness in his deep blue eyes when I said I wasn't interested.
