“Yeah, Dad. I’m more than ready.”
Kristen had asked our father the night they met if he would do the honor of walking her down the aisle on her wedding day. He was in shock and it took him a few seconds before he could answer her. He never left New York and told my mother that he was tied up on emergency business and that he’d be flying back home on Sunday. She asked him if he had spent time with me and he was truthful and said yes. He also told her that he met Kristen. My mother wasn’t happy about that. If anyone needed to go in search of themselves, it was her. Things between the two of us still weren’t settled and I wasn’t sure if they’d ever be.
The music started to play and I took my place to walk down the aisle first. Glancing at the guests as I slowly walked to the music, I spotted Drew sitting next to a woman. Perhaps she was one of Kristen’s friends. Yeah. That was who she was; she was a friend of my sister. I wasn’t giving it a second thought because there was no way he’d bring someone to her wedding.
Tears fell as I watched Kristen and Noah exchange vows, and you could hear the sniffles of the guests throughout the room. As happy as I was for them, it broke my heart. Once the ceremony was over and the guests were leaving the room to go up to the reception, I saw Drew and the woman he was sitting next to get up, and he placed his hand on the small of her back. A sick feeling erupted in the pit of my stomach. He did bring someone with him. What the fuck!
“What’s wrong?” Kellan asked as he walked over to me.
“Nothing. Why?”
“You look really upset all of a sudden.”
“Who me?” I pointed to myself. “I’m not upset at all. Now come on, we have some celebrating to do.” I smiled.
“You can’t fool me, Bean. I know you all too well.” He hooked his arm around me.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Jillian
I wasn’t going to give it another thought. Nope. Not one. This was Kristen and Noah’s big day and my focus had to be on them. While the two of them walked around greeting their guests, Kellan and I went over to the bar for a much-needed drink. Just as the bartender handed me a glass of champagne, I turned around to see Drew and the girl he brought standing in front of me.
“Hi, Jillian.” He smiled.
“Hi, Drew.”
“I would like you to meet Lia. Lia, this is my friend, Jillian.”
“It’s so nice to meet you.” She smiled as she held out her slender hand.
“Nice to meet you too, Lia.” I flashed my perfected smile.
“Nice to finally meet you in person, Kellan.” Drew grinned as they shook hands.
“Good to meet you too.”
“I see your father is here,” Drew spoke as he placed his hand in his pocket and held a glass of scotch with the other.
“Yes. We had a long talk and Kristen asked him to be here tonight.”
“Good. I’m happy to hear that you two worked things out. What about your mother?”
“Nah. She’s back in Seattle. I haven’t heard from her. Which is okay.”
“Well, we’re going to head back to our table. Talk to you later?”
“Yeah. Sure. Enjoy the wedding.” I smiled.
I couldn’t even begin to tell you the feeling that washed over me. It was a mixture of different emotions. Sadness, anger, surprise, shock, just to name a few.
“You can’t be mad or upset, Bean,” Kellan spoke. “You did tell him that he’s only a friend.”
“I know that, Kel, and I’m not upset.”
He rolled his eyes. “Have you forgotten that you can’t hide anything from me?” He kissed the side of my head.
“Hey, sweetheart. What’s going on with you and Drew? I see he’s here with someone,” my dad asked.
“Drew and I are just friends, Daddy. Nothing more.”
Confusion set in as he looked at me. “I thought you two were dating.”
I swallowed hard. “No. We’re just friends.”
“Jillian, what’s—”
“Come on, Dad. They want everyone to sit down for dinner.”
Taking my seat next to Kristen at the bridal table, I couldn’t help but glance over at Drew and Lia, taking notice of how the two of them were talking and laughing. For someone who wanted more than just friendship, it didn’t take him too long to move on to someone else. Was I really surprised? Not a bit. Look at how fast he moved from Jess to me. Fucking douchebag.
“I know that look and I know right now you’re angry,” Kristen spoke in my ear. “But you can’t be and you have no right to be. You made it very—”
Putting my hand up, I interrupted her. “I know. I made it very clear that we’re only friends.”
After we ate, it was time for Kristen and Noah to take their first dance as husband and wife. Kellan walked over and hooked his arm around me.
“Your dad apologized to me.”
“He did?”
“Yep. You know I never had anything against him. But Patricia.” He shuddered and I couldn’t help but laugh.