“Joan, I know she’s not busy because it’s five in the morning and she doesn’t wake up a second before six.”
I heard her sigh.
“Now, you don’t have to bother telling me she’ll call me back because we both know she won’t. I’m calling because I really need to see her again, to apologize for everything I did, and I would really appreciate your help….Please tell me where she is…”
Chapter 29
Selena
I took a seat near the back of Matt and Melody’s wedding, right next to an older woman who was dressed in all pink.
Behind the sparkling silver altar was an immense lake where hundreds of water lilies floated amongst white swans. Gorgeous glass light jars hung from the surrounding hickory trees, and tall red candles flickered brightly alongside the aisles of white wooden chairs.
I sat and listened as a trio of cellists played a beautiful harmony, as Matt and Melody’s parents said a prayer, and as the pastor instructed the audience to stand for the bride’s entrance.
Seconds later, Melody walked down the aisle in a shimmering white dress that drew whispers of appreciation from the crowd.
The one shoulder gown was accented with embellished lace and Swarovski crystals. It tightly grabbed her waist and flared out into a skirt that was so airy and light it looked as if it barely touched the ground.
Beneath her short veil, her glossy red hair was swept into a bun of loose curls; a few stray ringlets fell right beneath her shoulders.
She’s so pretty…
She and Matt never took their eyes off one another. They looked at each other as if they were the only two people in the world.
As they read their vows, I dabbed my eyes with Kleenex.
He called her “the key that finally opened the door to his happiness.” She called him her best friend, her undeniable soul-mate, and “regardless of what [her] reviews said about [his] films,” the best actor in the world.
“If there is anyone here today who feels that these two should not be wedded in holy matrimony,” the pastor looked out into the audience, “please speak now or forever hold your peace.”
Melody closed her eyes and slowly shook, as if she were anticipating an interruption. She bit her lip and looked down at the ground.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride,” the pastor smiled.
In one swoop, Matt pulled Melody into his arms and kissed her passionately—caressing her face, looking into her eyes, whispering several words that we in the audience couldn’t hear.
Once he let her go—which took quite a while, a loud applause rose, and the small crowd stood to its feet.
Matt scooped Melody into his arms and carried her down the aisle as the guests threw rice at them.
“Cocktail hour is in the lake house!” a woman, I assumed Melody’s mother, shouted.
I followed everyone towards a white wooden building and let myself in. There was candy everywhere—Skittle inspired cocktails, chocolate fountains, wines paired with caramel coated pretzels, and heart shaped hors d’oeuvres.
I grabbed a glass of chocolate mousse and sat by the wall of windows, wondering when the reception would begin. I wanted to drink myself into oblivion.
A couple of guests nodded their heads at me from time to time, but everyone was too involved in their own conversations to bother talking to me.
In my loneliness, I couldn’t help but to think of Ethan. If he had come with me I would’ve had someone to talk to, someone to sit next to at dinner. Then again, I told myself I should be glad he didn’t show up.
I hoped he’d forgotten all about the wedding and moved on to someone else. Since he was a billionaire I figured he could get any woman he wanted, someone who wouldn’t mind putting up with his lies as long as he showed her the world and gave her free coffee every day.
I looked up at one of the fountains and saw a handsome man wink at me. I decided it was time for me to move on to someone else too.
I downed my chocolate mousse and walked over to him. “Good evening. I’m Selena.”
“I know exactly who you are,” he took a sip of his wine. “You’re Selena Ross. I’m John.”
“Nice to meet you, John…How do you know Matt and Melody?”
“I worked with Melody at The New York Appeal,” he smiled. “We were all pretty bummed when she quit on us… So, you and Matt Sterling are still friends?”
“Something like that. What do you do for a liv—”
“But you cheated on him with that older guy!”
“I—”
“How could you do that to Matt? And how does Melody feel about you?”
“I’m—”
“Do they even know you’re here? Is that why you sat in the back? Are you planning to get revenge on Matt by crashing his wedding? Are you—”
I felt two familiar arms wrapping around my waist. “I don’t think she’s obligated to answer any of your rude and inappropriate questions. I suggest you stay away from her for the rest of the night or I’ll keep you away. Your choice.”
John turned red and scuttled across the room.
I wriggled out of Ethan’s embrace and turned around. “I hope you don’t expect me to say thank you.”
“I would never…Good evening, Selena.”
I didn’t say anything back. I just looked him up and down.
He was still as gorgeous as the first day I met him; still devastatingly sexy and able to make me melt with that ridiculous smile.