Gabe focused on making it down the aisle, his hand securing hers over his arm. He needed to touch her, needed to feel her. Regardless of whether this was just for the sake of appearances, he’d take what he could get at this point.
The way she’d left so hurt and angry only hours ago—yeah, he had to have some sort of contact. He’d sat in his apartment and slowly driven himself insane with what he should have done differently and how he could have avoided hurting her.
But he honestly didn’t know that he would have done things differently. Yes, he could have informed her that he’d received the mail from his uncle, but he’d planned on doing that when he turned them over to the authorities.
She was understandably upset, but just as she had at the start of their relationship, she would come to see that she was wrong. His actions would speak for themselves. He just had to figure out how the hell to get her to understand that he had been protecting her.
Chelsea remained silent as they reached the end of the aisle and parted ways. His arm and hand instantly chilled. Holding this winter wedding outdoors had nothing to do with it, either. The tent where Brandee and Shane were about to exchange their vows was heated.
No, his chill came from the fact that the one woman he’d allowed himself to truly love, the one woman who’d entered his life like a whirlwind and settled deep into his heart, had pushed him away.
In her defense, she had good reasons for being wary. But where he was concerned, her fears and suspicions were misplaced.
Canon in D chimed through the very well hidden speakers and everyone in attendance came to their feet. Gabe glanced to the end of the aisle as Brandee came around the corner. Shane tipped his head down and rubbed his eyes. Gabe reached up and squeezed his shoulder in silent encouragement.
He couldn’t imagine what was going through his best friend’s mind. What would it be like to find the one you wanted to spend your life with? What would it be like to have her coming toward you, ready to take a risk together like nothing else in the entire world mattered?
Gabe turned his attention to Chelsea. Her eyes were locked on the bride, but her shoulders were stiff and she held tight to the ribbon of mistletoe. There was a hint of a smile on her face, but Gabe saw the hurt in her eyes and knew she was anything but relaxed.
Gabe paid little attention to the vows and ring exchange. He didn’t take his eyes off Chelsea and when she met his gaze, he didn’t look away. Neither did she.
He had no idea what was going through her mind, or what was even going on around them. He didn’t care. All that mattered was Chelsea. Damn it. His heart flipped in his chest. She’d gone and worked her way right into the deepest part of him—and he realized that’s exactly where he wanted her.
This wasn’t just him wanting to prove his innocence to her and make sure she wasn’t hurting. Yes, he did want both of those things, but the obvious reason was literally staring right back at him. He wanted Chelsea in his life, now, tomorrow, forever.
He wanted what Brandee and Shane had; he wanted what so many of their friends had found. There had never been another to grab his heart the way Chelsea had and he wasn’t about to just let her walk out of his life.
As soon as the ceremony was over, Gabe waited for the newly married couple to turn to the guests and make their way back down the aisle. The music started up in celebration of the milestone moment.
Gabe stepped up, extending his elbow for Chelsea to take. She didn’t meet his eyes as she did so.
“We need to talk,” he murmured out the side of his mouth as they made their way off the elevated platform.
“Not yet.”
Well, at least she’d replied and hadn’t completely shot him down. That was a step in the right direction.
As they joined the party lining up in the back to greet guests, Chelsea quickly let go of him and went to stand next to Brandee.
The evening seemed to drag on for him, but he was positive the newly married couple was having the time of their lives. Chelsea always seemed busy or missing when he went to find her. Most likely she was avoiding him, and that was okay, but it was only so long before he caught up with her. He had no idea what he planned to say, no idea how to make this all go away, but he would.
Gabe caught a flash of gold in the distance, but by the time he crossed the patio area just off the TCC ballroom, he realized it wasn’t Chelsea but another guest.
Cursing, Gabe turned and nearly tripped a waiter carrying a tray of drinks.
“’Scuse me,” he said, holding his arms out to make sure the tray stayed level.
“Care for a bourbon?” the waiter asked.
Gabe grabbed one of the tumblers and muttered his thanks before moving on. He wasn’t in the mood to mingle or dance; he only wanted to talk to Chelsea. As he rounded the back of the building near the walking trails and stables, he found Daniel and Chelsea in an embrace.
Clearly he’d stumbled upon something private. As he started to turn away, Chelsea’s words stopped him.
“You warned me,” she said, her voice slightly trembling. “You told me I’d get hurt and I didn’t want to hear it.”
Gabe slid behind some landscaping near the corner of the building so as not to be seen. He’d just listen for a minute, then he’d give them their privacy. He knew he should walk away now, but damn it, this was the woman he loved and he wanted to know what he was up against in this fight.
“I never wanted to be right about this,” Daniel said. “I want you to find happiness, Chels. I just didn’t think Gabe was the guy for you.”