Page 123 of Never Not Friends

A handshake?

A hug?

While I’m debating, he moves closer, lightly wrapping me in his arms.

I smell his cologne; it brings a hundred special moments with it. I feel the weight and the warmth of his body. My eyes close briefly, soaking him in.

One. Last. Time.

“Thanks for being here,” he says softly, tickling my skin with his hot breath.

It’s funny because there’s nowhere else I’d rather be, but also, I’d give anything to escape this moment.

“Of course,” I say as we break apart.

“You’re going to love the wedding coordinator.” Juliet goes on her toes, looking around for her. She turns back to me. “Wait. Have you already met Sandy?”

I shake my head.

Juliet glances around again. “My brain is so chaotic right now. I have a hard time keeping track of which vendors you helped me with. Oh, well. You’ll meet her soon.” Her smile turns devious as she looks between me and Shane. “And who knows? If you like Sandy, maybe you can use her to help you plan a wedding sometime in the future.”

My eyes peek at Vinny.

Man, I wish his gaze would stop finding its way back to me too.

“Subtle, Juliet.” Shane laughs. “But let’s not put the cart ahead of the horse.”

I force a pleasant smile. “You guys should go greet your other guests.”

“We’ll be starting the rehearsal soon,” Juliet says as she starts to walk away. “Don’t go far.”

“Sounds good.” Shane’s hand goes to my back, ushering me forward. “We’ll go join Carly and Camila.”

Vinny and I brush each other as we pass.

My shoulder.

His arm.

The barest of touches, but my breath catches.

“You got the invite.” Nate gives Shane a bro hug when we walk up.

Hess does the same. “Moving up in the ranks.”

“I guess so.” Shane smiles.

The men start their own conversation as my friends circle around me.

“Are you doing okay?” Camila asks.

“Sure.” My smile is too overdone to be believable. “You guys don’t need to check in with me all weekend. I’ve known this day was coming for a long time. I’m fine.”

That, but also, every time one of my friends asks me how I’m doing, a little bit of my armor breaks, and I need all the protection for my heart I can get this weekend.

“Okay.” Carly squeezes my arm. “Mum’s the word.”

“Hello, ladies.” Blair saunters over to us in a dress with a plunging neckline. Her eyes immediately stop on me. “Is this the worst night of your life, or what?”