Page 3 of Ruthless In A Suit

But Julia and Logan put Hollywood to shame.

Just as I pictured, Logan is waiting for Julia at the end of the aisle, tall and blond and built like a Swedish downhill skier. There’s easily two hundred people in the chairs in front of him, but his eyes are only on Julia, a warm smile aimed only at her.

After her father shakes Logan’s hand and kisses her on the cheek, he returns to his seat and the couple join hands.

As they begin their vows, I’m surprised to feel tears well up at the back of my eyes. As they promise to love, honor, and cherish one another for all the days of their lives, I think of how much I want that. I want someone who looks at me the way Logan looks at Julia, who can stand up in front of everyone they know and say that they’ll promise to love me and only me for the rest of my life and longer.

For the first time ever, I want this badly. All I can think about is the man sitting next to me, the way he looks at me, and the way he makes me feel.

Maybe I can actually trust this, trust Levi, and the feelings I’m having for him.

He could be it.

This could be the start.

LEVI

What the hellam I doing?

That’s all I can think of as I try to focus on Logan and Julia sliding rings onto each others’ fingers and vowing to love one another for all eternity. And when I chance a glance over at Cadence and see the first tear begin to slide down her pink cheek, I know for sure that my plan is working all too well.

And I hate myself for knowing it would.

Without thinking, I reach over and take her hand in mine, threading our fingers together. I pull her hand into my lap and stroke her palm with my thumb, and though I don’t look at her, I can practically feel the smile radiating off her entire body.

My genuine feelings for Cadence have thrown a wrench in my big plans.

Now it’s all screwed up, because I started this entire affair in bad faith. And I don’t think anything good can come of something that originated from a place of selfishness and deceit.

I don’t deserve her.

And yet…I still want this. I want her more than ever now, and that’s the killer.

Everything couldn’t be more right and more wrong at the same time.

The ceremony ends, Logan dips Julia for a tasteful yet tender kiss, and when the strings start up again, they stride arm in arm down the aisle, their smiles brighter than the afternoon sun.

Just before they pass us, Logan catches sight of me, his gaze settling immediately to Cadence’s hand in mine.

His eyebrows raise, and I can practically hear his thoughts. Levi Maxon showing tenderness to a woman in public? Has the entire ocean frozen over in May?

Logan elbows Julia, who takes in Cadence and me for a second time.

Later, she mouths before the newlyweds disappear back through the French doors.

Have I mentioned that I am so fucked?

* * *

The reception beginsin the ballroom after an extended cocktail hour on the patio.

The ballroom is set for dinner with bone china and crystal and sterling silver, flowers draped over every solid surface. A jazz band in white dinner jackets plays on a low stage at the front of the room, a few couples already performing box steps on the lacquered dance floor.

Tuxedoed waiters move seamlessly through the room holding silver trays of champagne and appetizers aloft while groups of guests mingle and catch up throughout the room.

As we walk in, I hear Cadence gasp at the sight.

“This is gorgeous,” she whispers, as if someone will overhear.