Chapter 5

“I was literally just putting a necktie on Luke. Is it honestly a big deal?”

I didn’t even look back.

Stepping around the corner, the pressing footsteps approached fast from behind.

Teagan caught up and grabbed my hand.

“Parker!”

She kept her temper in check, her voice strained.

“It’s our wedding. Our families are here. The guests are also waiting at the reception.

“If you march into the church alone, are you trying to turn us into a joke?”

I met her gaze, finding the whole thing ridiculous.

“Am I the one humiliating us today?”

Teagan choked on her words.

It was two minutes until the ceremony began.

Riley looked at me through her teary eyes.

Norman came up, his voice thick with emotion.

“Have you thought this through, Parker?”

I held his gaze. “I have.”

Leaning on her walking stick, Tessa nodded.

“I’ll be sitting in the front row.

“Whatever happens, we’re not going to be putting up with this.”

I could feel the sting in my eyes. “Okay.”

With that, I pressed forward.

I stood outside the church with a minute to spare.

The entrance was crowded with friends and family.

Aunts, uncles, cousins, and a few older family members who had driven in from out of town were all gathered outside, smiling and waiting for us.

Some carried wedding favors and gift envelopes. Others stood around chatting as they waited for the ceremony to begin.

Inside, a large floral arrangement stood beneath a welcome sign bearing my name and Teagan’s.

A white aisle runner had been laid out, leading straight toward the altar.

The photographer was on standby, camera in hand, while the wedding coordinator broke out in a cold sweat.

Everything was in place.

The bride and the groom were the only ones missing.

Teagan came rushing after me, her face scowling.

“Parker, how much longer are you going to keep up with this?”

I halted my footsteps.

The main doors were up ahead. Just one more step through the church doors, and everything would be set in motion.

I glanced down at the white carpet beneath my feet, then raised my eyes to look at her:

“Teagan, it’s 8:59 AM right now.

“The wedding’s starting in a minute. The doors are right ahead.

“This is my final question to you.

“Are you coming in with me?”

Everything went silent for a second as everyone kept their eyes on Teagan.

Teagan squeezed her hands tight, anxiety flickering in her eyes.

It didn’t take long for annoyance to squash her panic.

“Stop it, Parker. We’ll start once Luke gets his tie sorted.”

Fearing I wouldn’t get the point, Teagan stressed.

“Forget about the fact that the groom can’t have a wedding on his own. Luke is your best man.

“How can you stand at the altar without your best man next to you?”

I stared into her eyes silently as the last of my emotions went numb.

We had made it this far.

It was down to the last minute.

She caught up to me.

All our friends and family were here. Teagan had seen the venue, the white runner, and me.

Still, she insisted on waiting until Luke had his tie fixed.

I let out a chuckle.

“You never disappoint, do you, Teagan?”

Her face fell.

“What are you getting at, Parker?”

I didn’t answer.

The clock struck nine.

The Wedding March began to play.

A line of unfamiliar cars pulled up outside the church and came to a stop.

It was a real head-turner.

A woman in a white wedding dress stepped out of the first car, bouquet in hand. She walked straight toward me and held out her hand.

“Come on, Parker. It’s time to walk down the aisle.”