48 First Dates (Seeking Romance #1)

The Prince of Best Men

36

Date was a default—

Best Man and Maid of Honor—

Mitzi is married!

S o, no chance Henry will be your plus one?” Mitzi and I were working on the guest list and seating chart for the wedding.

“Nope. There is no chance Henry will be my plus one. There is no chance I will ever go out with Henry ever again. His grandmother’s memorial service! I had to sit through the whole thing until I could make a plausible excuse to leave!” A week later, I was still shocked that Henry thought it would be a good idea to trick me into attending a funeral for a first date. When I left, he promised to call. I blocked his number, but I added a parrot charm in memory of G-ma to my bracelet.

“Okay, we’ve only got a week before the wedding. No time for new dates. I need your every spare minute to help me wrap up the details and entertain my mom, who is freaking out. So here’s what we are going to do: Brock has a best friend who’s the best man. You guys are already going to be thrown together. He doesn’t have a plus one, either. He’s now your date, and you are his. Wahlah. Problem solved. Seating chart assignments can proceed.”

“Mitzi, I don’t know—a first date at a wedding. Let’s face it; you don’t have the best track record for—” Her don’t-mess- with-the-bridezilla stare cut off my words.

Message received. “Sounds like a great plan. What’s his name?”

“Daniel Castillo, and he’s a rafting guide in Colorado. Loves nature and being outside. He’s from Peru. Speaks Spanish. You guys will have plenty to talk about.”

“At least I won’t have to figure out what to wear.” I grinned.

Mitzi rolled her eyes. “Hilarious. Now, let’s get back to business.”

I spent the next week in a whirlwind of organizing, entertaining, and soothing. When Mitzi told me she wanted to plan a wedding in a little over three weeks, I had my doubts. But she wanted simplicity, and we threw it together in time.

The night before the wedding, Mitzi, Brock, Daniel, and I had dinner with the parents. It was a last-minute detail discussion, schedule-run-through, and get-to-know-you. As we were leaving, Daniel leaned over. “So, I hear we are official plus-ones for each other tomorrow. It seems a bit off for me to do so without getting to know each other. How about we walk over to the bar down the street to get a nightcap?”

“That would be lovely, but I actually don’t drink. Do you mind if we change the location to the cafe next door?”

“ Por supuesto , it should always be the lady’s choice.” He smiled and gestured for me to lead the way.

When I hugged Mitzi at the door, she whispered in my ear. “Give him a chance. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we were married to best friends?” She squeezed and let go, saying out loud, “Don’t stay out too late. You guys have a lot to do tomorrow!”

“What if we stay out all night? We’ll be up and ready in time.” Daniel raised his eyebrows with a smirk.

Mitzi shot him a look that could wither a tropical plant in Florida.

Daniel straightened up, pulling his lips into a thin line. “Yes, ma’am. Sin duda, without a doubt I will have her back in less than two hours.”

“That’s my girl.” Brock grinned, leaning in to kiss Mitzi.

Daniel and I turned and walked the short distance to the cafe. We ordered two slices of pie and hot chocolates, paid for them separately, and found a booth.

“So, how did you and Brock meet?”

“We attended the same school. He came to my defense on the first day of kindergarten. I didn’t speak much English at that time. We’ve been friends ever since. How about you and Mitzi?”

“Same, only it was in ninth grade. And you’ll get to meet the bully tomorrow. Libby—excuse me, it’s Elizabeth now—has turned her life around and is now dating one of our best friends, Brenn.” I grimaced and rolled my eyes.

Daniel laughed, and when he did, his face scrunched up in the cutest possible way. Maybe Mitzi was right. I needed to give this guy a chance.

We chatted for a bit about our likes and dislikes—there were a lot of similarities. It was all going well, so I addressed the elephant in the room.

I looked him in the eye and laid my hands on the table. “Daniel, you’re a really nice guy.”

“ Gracias. And might I add, you’re a really nice gal.” He dipped his head in my direction and set his elbows on the table.

“Also, thank you. But tell me—why didn’t you already have a plus one?” I leaned in.

“ No lo quiero discutir. ” His smile fell, and his eyes hit the table. He was suddenly very interested in the spoon in his hot chocolate. “That’s one that we shouldn’t discuss.”

“Oh, c’mon, it can’t be that bad.” I reached over and briefly touched his arm.

He sighed and started moving a sugar packet around in a figure eight on the table. “Being on the river, I don’t date much, which didn’t worry me because I figured I would know the one when I saw her. That’s how it worked for my parents—they saw each other in a Peruvian market and, boom, instant connection. They’ve been together ever since. So one day, a girl walks into the shop, and it hits me like a lightning bolt—she’s THE ONE. Only her boyfriend walks in next to her, and he’s a friend of mine. So I couldn’t, can’t do anything about it. We’re friends now—the girl and I. She’s not aware of my feelings, and neither is he.” The sugar packet stilled as he became a statue.

I leaned back as my jaw dropped. I’m not the only one.

“I’m sorry, Adelaide, I shouldn’t have said all that. It’s just... I needed to say it out loud to someone who...” His ears turned red as he dipped his chin down.

“…understands? I get it. Two weeks ago, I flew to Montana to tell Brenn that he’s the love of my life. The one I can’t live without. And right before I told him, he introduced me to Libby, his current girlfriend. And my former nemesis.”

He looked up and grinned. “So you get it.”

“Yeah, I get it. What’s her name?”

“Oh no, I can’t tell you that. That secret stays with me.”

I was going to push him until I saw the pain etched on his face. Realization hit me. The only reason he wouldn’t tell me was because “that girl” was Mitzi.

“Oh. I’m so sorry.” I raised my hand up to my chest, laying it over my heart. How incredibly painful tomorrow will be for him. For both of us.

Daniel jumped up. “ Vámanos! Time to go. We’re pumpkins, and the clock is about to strike midnight!”

The next morning, Mitzi was cool, calm, and collected.

The rest of us were running around like chickens with our heads cut off to make sure she stayed that way. Time passed quickly, and before I knew it, the ceremony began.

As I walked down the aisle, I searched for Brenn.

There.

There he is.

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding when he smiled at me. His head bent in a nod of approval. My lips tipped up, and my shoulders pulled back. My eyes flicked to the left. Libby. Her pale skin and red hair looked perfect next to her dress—one the same shade of green as Brenn’s eyes. My shoulders fell, and I had to turn my gaze away as I continued down the aisle.

Focus on what we’re here for, Adelaide.

I made it to the front and looked back down the aisle as the music changed. Mitzi walked in on her dad’s arm. She radiated pure joy as her eyes locked with Brock’s.

The beautiful ceremony expressed how much they adored each other. I didn’t miss a moment of it because I refused to let my eyes wander to the crowd.

Toward the end, everyone bowed their heads as the rabbi prayed. My resolve crumbled. The pull was too strong. I lifted my head and looked in Brenn’s direction.

Our eyes locked. A single tear rolled down my cheek as I held in a gasp. It wasn’t fair. That man could light a fire in my belly with a single glance. His lips parted, and my heart raced.

But then he looked down, breaking the moment. The fire was snuffed out by a lonely block of ice. I glanced back at the couple and saw Daniel looking up at me. His face pinched. He gave me a tight nod, and I felt a little less alone. I nodded a we-can-do-this message back.

As Daniel escorted me back down the aisle, he squeezed my hand with his arm and whispered, “Thanks.”

“You, too,” I whispered, keeping my head down as we walked.

After the ceremony, the wedding party waited around for pictures. The photographer started with the happy couple and the families, so Daniel and I got a break. We hung around at the back of the church watching when I saw them—Brenn and Libby. Her hand was in the crook of his elbow as they walked toward us.

He looks amazing.

I got the full effect now that he was standing up. His suit was tailored to fit him perfectly. His tie matched his green eyes. My breath hitched, and Daniel noticed it. He grabbed my hand and squeezed it.

I let go as Brenn came in for a hug. The scent of my flowers mixed with his woodsy, bergamot-orange musk. Home .

“You look beautiful,” he whispered in my ear.

I pulled back abruptly. “Brenn, Libby, so nice to see you here.” I plastered on a fake smile as I felt my heart breaking a bit more. “Have you met Brock’s friend?”

Thankfully, Daniel took over the conversation because I was an inner wreck.

Why does the sight of this man set my heart beating?

Why do his words take my breath away?

Why does his touch feel like fire?

I know why. And it’s just not fair.

Brenn kept looking over at me with raised eyebrows or with a tilted head. I was aware of what he was asking.

No, Brenn. I am not okay.

Each time, the look in his eyes would temporarily stop my heart. I was sure I was going to pass out before the photographer called for us.

“Best Man and Maid of Honor!”

Thank goodness!

“That’s us,” I squeaked as I grabbed Daniel’s arm, yanking him as I ran back up the aisle.

“You okay?” Daniel asked under his breath as we posed.

“I will be.” Just as soon as…

The pictures gave me the breather I needed, and the midday meal at the reception passed pleasantly. Before I knew it, Mitzi was on the dance floor, looking like a princess waltzing with her prince.

In the background, I glimpsed Brenn, staring at me with his hands in his pockets. Libby was there next to him; her arm looped possessively through his once more. The sight was too much.

I let the tears spill over because it was okay to cry when watching the first dance of a bride and her groom. But the way Brenn stared told me he suspected my tears meant more than that.

When the song was over, the DJ invited everyone out to the dance floor. Mercifully, I lost sight of Brenn and Libby. I danced with Daniel, Cynthia, and Tom for several fast songs.

And then one of Mitzi’s favorite slow songs, “My Invitation” by Sara Slean, came on.

Daniel offered me his hand, but I told him I was going to take a break. I turned to go get some water, but my feet stopped. There they were. I saw Brenn lean in and say something to Libby. Annoyance flashed across her face as he walked over to me.

“Dance with me, Adelaide.”

I nodded, afraid that my voice would betray the way his gaze lit up my insides.

He gathered me into the warmth of his arms and slowly spun us around the room. The piano notes and the melodic voice wrapped around us.

I was no longer aware of the wallpapered walls and golden sconces that surrounded us. Only his face filled my focus. My heart hammered in my chest. I told myself it was from the previous dancing, not from the touch of his hand on the small of my back.

His gaze dropped to my right wrist, where the tattoo of a plain cross overlaid with the triquetra sat. The one that had been covered by my sweatshirt when I saw him in Montana. “Now, you’re the one with a new tattoo.”

His thumb traced the design, and my mind melted. His touch transported me to fantasy land. A place where we were together. Where we danced at our wedding.

A place I’ll never be.

To bring myself back to reality, I said, “I have no idea why Mitzi likes this song. It’s kind of sad.”

Brenn looked into my eyes. “What are you worried about, Ads?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re wearing the earrings your dad gave to you.” He reached up and touched one, grazing my jawline as he dropped his hand. “You only wear these when something is bothering you, and you need courage.”

“How did you—” My question was cut off by the sensation of Brenn’s hands as they brushed around my waist, pulling me closer. My heart pulled toward his, making it hard to breathe.

Every sense tingled as he whispered. “You wore them your whole first year of college.”

His warm breath passed over my ear. “You wore them the week of the funeral.”

His left hand moved from my waist up the small of my back to rest in between my shoulders. A starburst of heat ran through my back and into my chest. “You wore them for every interview you went on last year.”

I felt his lips almost brush my neck, right below my earlobe, as he spoke, “And you wore them... the morning we—”

I leaned back, placing my hands on his chest and looking into his eyes. “You remember all that?”

He nodded, reaching up to sweep a stray piece of hair, tucking it behind my ear. “I remember everything,” he said softly—on an exhale—and I felt the warmth flood down into my toes.

We stood there for a moment, hearts pounding, staring into each other’s eyes.

If things had been different, I would have leaned in. He would have done the same. We would have met halfway, our lips seeking the connection our hearts so clearly desired.

But there was a whisper of someone else between us.

It’s not possible.

It’s too late.

The last notes of the song played. The music changed. The room zoomed back into view. My body tensed as I saw Libby staring at us.

Brenn’s gaze followed mine. He stepped back, letting me go.

Libby turned and walked away as her hands went to cover her face. Brenn glanced back at me. “Adelaide, I—”

“Go.” He nodded, taking a piece of my heart with him as he walked away.

In the next moment, Cynthia was by my side. “C’mon, honey.”

She steered me to the bathroom, grabbing Mitzi along the way. Once Cynthia confirmed no one else was in there, Mitzi locked the door.

They turned on me, asking in stereo, “What was that?”

“I don’t know,” I said, still a bit dazed.

“When you were dancing with Brenn, old Libby was simmering under her current new-and-improved Elizabeth exterior. Her eyes shot daggers at you, especially when Brenn swept the piece of hair out of your face. I can’t believe you didn’t notice. I swear flames were about to burst out of the top of her head.” Mitzi smirked.

“What did he say?” Cynthia asked.

“I remember everything.”

“What?” Mitzi’s jaw dropped.

“He commented on my earrings. How he knew my dad had given them to me. How he knew what they meant. I hadn’t even realized. I always wear them when I need a shot of courage.” Mitzi and Cynthia nodded as if they already knew this. “Then, he listed off the times I had worn them... and when I asked him how he remembered that... he responded with ‘I remember everything.’”

“Well, I’ll be,” Cynthia exhaled.

“Just like Pacey—” Mitzi gasped.

“Yep. The line was every bit as magical as it looked on Dawson’s Creek ... right until reality slammed back in with one glimpse of Libby. What am I supposed to do?”

I plopped onto the bench as Mitzi and Cynthia shook their heads.

The Brenn ship had already sailed.

And I wasn’t on it...