It felt like ages ago.
Feeling her sister’s eyes weighing on her, she finally responded to her question. “I’m fine. I swear it. Just a little tired. I spent the morning looking for a new job. I need a way to pay for my classes.”
“So you’re still going without Mom or Dad’s knowledge?”
Nodding at Cassie, she gazed down at the hardwood floor. “I’ve tried to bring it up, but Dad just cuts me off before I begin. I don’t know why he hates me dancing so much. He’s the one who paid for my classes when I was younger.”
“He said it was to keep you busy and off the streets. He didn’t want you getting involved with the wrong people. You know that.”
“But I’m an adult now.”
“I know, which is why I commend you for looking for a job. Still, you need to tell Mom and Dad the truth. I can help, if you want. I’ll be your moderator.”
Resentment filled Cori. It wasn’t fair how their parents said nothing when Cassie chased after her dream. She went to college, graduated, then went to work for the recording studio. She wanted to be near music, and she got what she wanted.
Not one time did their parents stop providing financial assistance or kick her out of the house. They never made the threats to Cassie the way they had to her.
Cori’s dreams were no different. Much like her big sister, she wanted to be near music. A professional dancer needed music to perform. While she wouldn’t mind being a professional choreographer, she’d be happier in her own dance studio. Whichever one she chose would provide her a great life.
She enjoyed working with kids and wanted to pass on her love of dancing to others. There were many other plans she had, ones that would help those in their community. Unfortunately, her father never gave her the opportunity to discuss the positives. All he could focus on was negatives, and still, Cori didn’t understand what those could be.
There was no use in stressing over it now. This weekend wasn’t about her. It was about her sister. She’d almost screwed up their relationship when she went after Theo. It never would have happened if she knew Cassie was interested in him, but that was beside the point. She’d messed up. It was time to be a good sister, and that meant being a good bridesmaid for the next couple of days.
“Let’s worry about this some other time. Today is about you. I’m ready to do this rehearsal. The quicker we do, the sooner we can kidnap you from your soon-to-be husband. You guys may have put the cart before the horse,” she paused as she patted Cassie’s belly again, “but we’re still doing things the old-fashioned way. That means not seeing the groom before the wedding.”
Cassie rolled her eyes and looked as though she would argue. Ally and Mariah overheard them and quickly came to Cori’s defense. When Nora sided with them too, all Cori could do was grin at her sister.
After a moment of silence, Cassie finally conceded. “All right. We’ll do this the old-fashioned way.”
The door to the sanctuary opened as Cori noticed their mom walk out. The frown on her face was proof that their raised voices had filtered into the church. Ally filled her in on what was happening as Cassie shook her head and glanced at Cori.
“Just so you know, I had every intention of not seeing Theo before the wedding. I just like keeping those three on their toes.”
As she winked, Cori stifled her laughter. “I’m glad you excluded me.”
“It’s easier to push their buttons.” Cassie snickered as she motioned behind her to the door where their friends stood. “Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention who will be escorting you up the aisle. I figured you’d be more comfortable with someone you knew, so I chose Jesse.”
It took a moment to process what Cassie said. When reality crashed around Cori, the wicked gleam in her sister’s eye had her face filling with fire. Guess Cassie had played her all along.
She knew how to push Cori’s buttons too.
Chapter 3
Chaotic didn’t describe the state of Cassie’s house when Cori woke the next morning or the last few hours everyone spent on final wedding preparations. There was barely time to get coffee before her sister and Ally whisked her and Nora away to the salon. After four partial updos and forty French manicured nails, they’d returned to the church.
She never understood why people made such a big fuss about their appearance in a wedding. As long as the bride was the most beautiful one, it didn’t matter how everyone else looked. Cassie had this one in the bag. She woke up looking gorgeous.
It’s not like she opposed getting pampered. It was the reason she was receiving the treatment and what it entailed. As much as she loved her sister and knew she was with her true half, part of Cori still cared about her soon-to-be brother-in-law.
Theo was the first guy she’d ever crushed on. Those innocent thoughts she had at twelve turned into some of the dirtiest fantasies before he left Savannah—even after. They’d almost come to fruition. Then Theo, in the heat of the moment, revealed his true feelings. He called her Cassie.
None of it would have happened if he’d recognized her, not that it mattered now.
She glanced around the room of the church, taking in her sister and the rest of the bridal party. Cassie was clasping Ally’s necklace while Ally helped Nora with hers.
Cori couldn’t resist feeling for the one around her neck. The teardrop diamond was beautiful. It seemed too extravagant for a bridesmaid’s gift, but no one refused it. Cassie wouldn’t have let them if they’d tried.
Stubbornness ran in the family.
The sound of a car door shutting gained Cori’s attention. The others were so busy chatting that no one seemed to notice. Cori wished she hadn’t. The moment she gazed out the window, Jesse stepped around his car.
He looked as good in a tux as he did in the jeans he wore last night.
This was going to be the longest day of her life. Whatever was happening between them the night before was noticeable. Then again, maybe Mariah just knew her better than anyone. She knew when a guy had Cori’s attention. It hadn’t taken her long after the rehearsal to seek out Cori and tell her that the tension between her and Jesse wasn’t just noticeable. It was palpable.
Cori didn’t deny it. Jesse didn’t say much during the rehearsal, nothing like he had the few minutes they spent talking before she went inside the church. Where words failed, chemistry prevailed. She couldn’t ignore that she was attracted to him, but it didn’t mean it needed to go any further than flirting.
“Hey, little sis.”
Startled by the sound of Cassie’s voice, she spun and greeted her sister. “God, Cass, don’t do that.” She kept her voice firm but not too harsh. It was partially her fault she’d been caught off guard. Had she not been focused on Jesse, she would have heard Cassie approaching.
“I thought you heard me walk up. Sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. I was looking outside when I noticed the guys pull up.”
Cassie regarded the clock on the wall. “Good. Jesse kept his promise. He said he’d make sure Theo made it on time.”
Nodding was the only response Cori could muster. She needed to change the subject. “Was there something you wanted to say to me?”
“Actually, yes, but I didn’t want to bring it up in front Ally or Nora. I sorta bought you another gift.”
She raised her hand toward Cori and offered her a small package.
“Why did you get me another gift?”
Cassie’s eyes lit up. “You’re my sister. I know we’ve had minor problems in the past, but you’ve always been someone I can count on, Cori. I just want you to know how much you mean to me.”
Cori didn’t argue. She tucked her finger underneath the pastel pink paper and loosened the tape. Once she discarded it, she stared at the brown box in her hands.
“Open it.”
There was anticipation in Cassie’s voice. It made Cori just as excited. She wasted no time pulling the tape and opening the flaps on the box. When she peeked inside, her
breath caught.
“What the—?”
She worked the item from the box, discarding it to a nearby chair. As she stared at the jewel-encrusted box, her eyes watered. The moment she flipped the lid and heard Beethoven’s Für Elise playing, she concentrated on her sister.
“Cass, I—I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe you got me this. You remembered.”
“What, that you used to drive me crazy with the little ballerina one you had when you were a kid? Or are you referring to the time that we were fighting over it, and it broke in half?”
Feeling at a loss for words, Cori stammered for an answer. “I loved that box. I think it was more the ballerina and the music than anything. Guess I’ve always wanted to be a dancer.”
“I never forgave myself for making you cry like that. I’d put my feelings before yours and ended up causing you pain. I swore I never would again and I wouldn’t allow anyone else to do it either.”
“I remember.” Cori’s throat felt scratchy as she fought back her emotions. Damn weddings. They got the best of people. She was no different.
“Cor, I’m sorry you got hurt in the process of Theo and I getting together. Neither of us—”
“Stop, Cassie.” She waved off her older sister and the words she was about to say. There was no need. It was over. Dredging it up only made her feel worse. “Let’s not go down this road again. I made a mistake, and I take the blame for what happened. Now it’s time for you and Theo to be happy. I want you to be happy, Cass.”
She didn’t say anything else. She couldn’t. Cassie had her in an embrace that was so tight, Cori could barely breathe. “Easy, sis. You’re stealing my oxygen and squishing my niece or nephew.”
“Oh, sorry.”
Cori drew in a deep breath but chuckled at her sister’s worried face. “I’m fine. No worries.”
“Do you like it?”
Cori studied the outside, taking in the fine craftsmanship of the box. “Yes,” she answered. “It’s beautiful.”
“I was going to get one similar to the box we destroyed but decided to get this one instead. You’re a grown woman, Cori. You deserve a gift that reflects that.”
The wall greeted Cori’s back as she leaned against it. “It’s so pretty. I can’t thank you enough, Sis.
“I’m glad you like it. I knew it was the right one from the moment I saw it on the shelf. It’s an antique too.”
“An antique? I hope it didn’t cost too much.”
“Don’t worry about the price. It wasn’t as bad as you think. I kinda know the lady who owns the place. She cut me a deal.”
It didn’t surprise Cori. Cassie was frugal when she needed to be. She just didn’t make that choice too often. At least she didn’t buy anything to put herself in debt, unlike Cori.
“So where did you get this?”
“A little shop downtown called Mystique Antiques.”
Goosebumps spread over Cori’s body. She wasn’t sure why, but something about the box pulled at her. It was the perfect gift.
Hopefully, her sister’s day would be just as perfect.
Jesse shifted his weight from one foot to the other, doing his best not to draw attention to himself. Most of the wedding guests were fixated on Theo and Cassie exchanging their vows. So were Jonah and Allen.
He studied the bridesmaids’ faces again, losing count of how many times he had. Ally and Nora were fighting back their tears. Both kept swiping the corners of their eyes and sniffling. Cori was the only one who wasn’t. She was fidgeting with her bouquet of flowers while her attention shifted from her sister and Theo to the ground.
At one point, she glanced at her parents. The small crease between her brows said something was on her mind. Whatever it was, it seemed to be getting the best of her.
The thought no sooner crossed his mind as a set of big brown eyes met his. Cori didn’t look at him long, but in that instant, he swore she smiled. She refocused on her sister as Theo placed the wedding band on Cassie’s finger.
Every second Jesse gawked at Cori, he couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking. He didn’t like it when her attention was elsewhere. He wanted it on him. Whenever she looked at him, the rest of his crazy life didn’t matter. It was like time paused.
What was it about Cori that caused him to feel this way?
Another brief glimpse of her made his body ache. His blood pumped with each rapid heartbeat. It echoed in his ears, drowning out what the minister was saying. He wanted Cori to look at him again.
His wish came true a second later. This time, he confirmed she was smiling. It was a beautiful smile too. Flirtatious. Her lashes batted slowly, plump lips stretched wider, and a rosy color covered her cheeks.
Was she blushing? She definitely would be if she knew the things rolling through his mind. It wasn’t just the thoughts in his head at the moment. It was every second he’d spent thinking of her while he waited for sleep the night before.
He reminisced on their younger days, how his teasing always caused her to get flustered, how she used to punch him in the arm whenever he did it, how he always pretended like she’d hurt him just to make her smile.
She once called him her brother by default after she and Jamie proclaimed they were adopted sisters. He’d laughed at the joke as much as she had. Then, something changed. A few months before he left town, he saw the curves that were developing. Her hips rounded, her tits grew fuller, and she had an ass from out of this world.
God, he’d lied to her as much as himself. He’d never looked at her like a sister. Yeah, he wanted to protect her, but part of him wanted to ruin her too. Had he stuck around, he would have taken her virginity. There was no doubt in his mind.
Guess it was a good thing he left for New Orleans . . .
He could not keep thinking about her like this. Cori deserved a good guy, not one out on the road, hooking up with a different chick in a different city for a night or two. While he wasn’t naïve to her wild reputation, he knew she was a lot like Cassie. Underneath the tough exterior was a girl that wanted to be loved. And just like her sister, she’d searched for it in the wrong places.
He and Allen were the last two bachelors in the group. While Jeff and his girl weren’t married, they had a son together. She and the child had become Jeff’s primary focus. Between his girlfriend’s high-risk pregnancy to his son’s premature birth, Jeff was barely around to make performances. Hell, he’d missed their first one in Savannah. It was part of the reason why Theo and Cassie reconnected.
Now, Theo promised his life to one woman. With him and Jeff off the market, Jesse knew the female fans would be hot after him and Allen. Not that it would stop a few from trying to pursue Theo or Jeff, but he knew his friends wouldn’t cave. A terminal disease had struck both.
Love . . .
Clapping forced the thoughts from his mind. He watched as Theo held Cassie’s face and planted one of the longest kisses Jesse had ever witnessed. When his friend pulled away, a blind man could have seen how happy he and Cassie were. That happiness grew contagious once the minister presented them as Mr. and Mrs. McCabe.
A moment later, they proceeded up the aisle. Theo winked at him as they passed. He laughed at his friend, unsure why he’d done what he had. There was no time to ponder it either. Ally and Jonah were linking arms and joining the procession toward the front door of the church.
Seeing them together was a stark reminder of what came next. It was time to escort Cori up the aisle. For most people, it wouldn’t have been a big deal. For him, it was huge, especially after all the things that went through his mind in the last twenty-four hours.
He stepped to the center of the aisle, unable to meet Cori’s gaze. She was looking at him. He felt every pierce of her penetrating eyes. Yet the moment he offered her his arm, the heat of her body melted his resolve, and he looked her way.
“Ready?”
For an instant, he thought he saw hesitation on Cori’s face. His gut said it was more. It seemed as i
f she were nervous. Had his stares and comments made her uncomfortable?
“Don’t let me fall. These heels my sister picked out are much taller than the ones I’m used to wearing. I feel like I’m going to lose my balance.”
Relief flooded Jesse. He tucked her arm in his before folding his hand over hers. “Relax. I’ve got you, even if you fall.”
The anxiety he noticed was nothing more than her fear of falling in front of everyone. He was an idiot to think it was more. Cori Clarke had no interest in him.
And if he knew what was best, he’d lose whatever interest he’d developed in her.
Chapter 4
The sun began descending into the horizon not long after Cori arrived at the reception hall. Now there was no sight of it or its golden rays. Even the sky was void of the warm pink and orange hues the sunset gave it.
The dusty blue haze was turning to a sapphire color. Stars twinkled in the distance. She hadn’t noticed them until she swallowed the last of her drink and pressed her head against the windowpane.
At least the day was almost over. The hardest part was.
Cori inhaled deeply at the thought. She was grateful that she’d survived watching Cassie and Theo get married, not to mention walking down the aisle with Jesse. Just a few more hours until she could leave and do whatever she pleased.
Maybe she’d call Dusty. She didn’t have any privacy to call him the night before to continue where they’d left off. Tonight was a different story. He sure as hell could take her mind off her frustrations with the wedding—and with Jesse. All she had to do was text Dusty, then she could discover what she’d been curious about for months—how his cock would feel inside her. His tongue did one hell of a job.
As fun as college life was, she couldn’t wait to be out of school, have her own dance studio, and not worry about anyone telling her what to do or where to be. Maybe one day she’d meet someone and settle down like Cassie. Until then, she would build her career and enjoy a man whenever she wanted. No rings, no strings.
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