Page 71 of A Little Bit Engaged
Over.
Her heart splintered.
Brody had said nothing about staying in San Francisco or asking where she would go. Did that mean he would leave? Return to L.A.? Forget about her?
Emotions swirled.
She hoped not because…
Love.
Oh, no. She didn’t just like him. She loved him. L-O-V-E.
That was why Cara had been so mixed up. Afraid. She wanted this rehearsal to be real and the wedding…
Brody ran a finger along her cheek. “Why the long face?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Then smile. This is our wedding rehearsal.”
If only… But she wanted him to be happy, so she pasted on what she hoped was a glowing, bride-worthy smile.
“Better?” she asked.
“Much.” His forehead pressed against hers. “I’m almost sorry this will be over soon.”
Marry me. For real.
The thought sounded so loudly in her head that Cara wondered if she’d spoken aloud. Her heart thundered like a stampede of wild mustangs, but Brody’s expression hadn’t changed. He didn’t know how she felt.
The words longed to burst from her lips, but she couldn’t say them here. This wasn’t the right time to tell Brody. Okay, there had never been a right time with him. Not when they were in high school, when she was in college, or when she lived in Los Angeles. But she couldn’t wait much longer if she wanted a chance for this to work.
And she wanted that.
More than anything.
“Let’s start back here.” Sariah motioned to Cara.
Gnawing on her lower lip, Cara shuffled to the start of the aisle. “The setting is just like I imagined. Intimate. I love the flowers.”
Sariah beamed. “So happy to hear that, but we’re not finished decorating yet.”
The colorful blossoms in the garden, around the gazebo, and the seating area amazed Cara. A sweet floral scent floated in the air. The yearning for this to be real grew with each breath. “Everything looks perfect now.”
Sariah’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “You’ll see.”
But Cara wouldn’t. Tomorrow, her dream of marrying Brody would end.
A string quartet sitting off to the right of the altar played the song she and Brody had chosen together.
The minister, a lovely, smiling woman named Shelley, stood at the altar with Brody on her left.
Everyone seemed so happy. Cara wanted to be happy, too. Yet, as she headed down the aisle to strains of Bach, her feet kept sticking to the pathway. She slowed her steps, wanting this moment to last.
As she reached Brody, his smile didn’t quiet her nerves. The rehearsal would be brief, like the simple ceremony they’d planned, and then she would have one more day to be his fiancée.
Less than twenty-four hours.
