Until Then

11. Hayley

ELEVEN

Hayley

“He looks like he’ll be fun.” Mia snickers, nudging her way between me and Charlotte when we pause outside the reception hall doors.

“Bry says he’s a nice guy, but not one looking for commitment,” Charlotte says.

“Lottie, you’re such a wife.” Mia checks her lipstick in a pocket mirror. “No one said anything about commitment.” She snaps the mirror closed. “I said fun.”

I chuckle. “I thought you had to stick with your groomsman.”

Mia arches a brow. “Nope. I was confused when she had us dance at the rehearsal, but after digging a little deeper, turns out Briar said that all so you stick by Noah’s side.”

Briar made up her little rule about the groomsman and bridesmaid dance? I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Of course she did. I’m certain Greer had something to do with it too.

Mia leans her shoulder against the wall. “So, tell us. What’s the story between you two?”

Heat prickles over my scalp. “Ah, but we were talking about you and the stunt double.”

“Fine. To be continued. Don’t think I don’t know there must be a story.” With a quick fluff to her short hair, she rolls each shoulder one by one. “I don’t have anything to say about Stunt Man, only that he’s hot, we’re at a wedding, we’re single, and I do not plan to waste an opportunity.”

Mia strides into the hall, an impressive swagger to her step, and a look of confidence like she owned the whole of the room.

Briar changed to a sleek white dress with more room to breathe than her wedding gown, and was instantly whisked away for parent photos.

Sweet, gentle music flows from the hall. Chatter from several conversations bleeds into the corridor. I’ve only been here for a few hours, and already my narrow pumps keep digging into the sides of my feet, threatening blisters. Another reason to be grateful Briar isn’t demanding a long, drawn-out reception.

She wanted to disappear to her two-week honeymoon before the sun set, and I fully support the idea.

“Hayley.” Charlotte stops me before we step inside. “Let Mia be Mia. I don’t know what happened between you and Noah, but he’s a really decent guy. He’s not like a lot of the types who get famous young, you know?”

“Okay.” I don’t know where she’s going with all this.

“All I’m saying is, Briar messed with her wedding to put you—her friend she’s loved since elementary school—with a man she really cares about too. Maybe see where the opportunity takes you.”

With a sly wink, Charlotte steps into the hall, already on the hunt for her groomsman husband.

The opportunity. Is that what this is? A second chance with the perfect first date?

I close my eyes. How long will I let the past dictate what I do with my future?

Tonight, what would happen, if I just . . . took a risk?

With care, I remove the lacy hat, annoyed with the beaded veil in my face, and place it on a small table, hidden behind a pillar. I smooth the front of my dress out of habit, not for any wrinkles, and take my first Mia-confident stride into the hall.

Tables with drinks and hors d’oeuvres on gold trays are strategically placed on the edges of a dining area and dance floor. Fairy lights twinkle beneath black and white sashes draped in elegant ribbons across the ceiling.

Every detail, down to the flower arrangements, creates the illusion of stepping into an old black and white matinee.

There are more people here, smaller people. Kids were welcomed to the afterparty, and even have a section of the room that looks like the red carpet leading into a theater behind red drapes. Popcorn buckets and old gummy candies are arranged for the youngest guests to go inside and be entertained.

It’s there where I find Noah. He’s stripped his suit coat and has his white dress shirt sleeves rolled up on his forearms, revealing those strong hands that touch so well.

His back is to me, but he’s in line for the popcorn and candy, his hands in front of him, and between his wide stance I make out two little feet in black dress shoes. No doubt, the nephew he can’t stop gushing about.

Maybe he wouldn’t want me to meet his nephew, and—no.

No. I’m not here to talk myself out of opportunities.

Not tonight.

I’m channeling my inner Mia and going with the flow. As if to prove my point, I catch sight of my fellow bridesmaid already sipping on her wine with the handsome stunt man. I shake out my hands by my sides. Ten steps away, five, one. I tap on Noah’s shoulder.

He reels around and I feel like my legs go boneless when his smile is instant.

“Wildfire.”

“Pretty Boy.”

I don’t even roll my eyes at the names. Almost like it’s natural, almost like it’s . . . us.

As suspected, Noah has a skinny little blond boy in front of him. He gently taps his nephew’s shoulders, drawing the boy to turn around.

My heart stops when Noah crouches in front of the boy and signs as he talks. “Jude man. This is my friend.” Each gesture is slow, but steady. “Can you say hi?”

I press a hand to my heart when Noah stands. He’s watching me, caution in his features, almost like he thinks I might turn around and walk away.

Has someone actually done such a thing?

Well, I will most certainly prove him wrong. I wave at Jude, then look to his uncle. “Does he read lips?”

Noah blinks. “Uh, no.”

“Got it.” I ensure my dress is decent, then lower to my knees in front of Jude Hayden. It takes a second to recall my signs, but I carefully introduce myself with my hands and words. “Hi, Jude. I’m Hayley.”

Jude greets me with a wave.

I tap the action figure in his hand and sign my question, Who is this ?

The boy’s big brown eyes light up. He holds up the warrior on a plastic horse and points up at Noah. Uncle No .

Noah clears his throat, still looking at me like I sprouted four extra ears. “Uh, it’s the action figure of Kage Shade. My character.”

I inspect the figurine and lean in like I might whisper to Jude, but merely sign a little smaller, a little closer. He looks tougher than your real uncle .

Jude lets out a little breathy laugh, then gallops the toy up Noah’s leg, taking a step when the candy line moves forward.

I stagger back to standing and tug on my skirt before I flash the room. Noah’s face is unreadable.

He looks between his nephew, then back to me. “You sign?”

“My minor was in ASL and one of my occupational therapy clinical placements was in a school for the deaf and blind. I’m a little rusty, but I can get by.”

“Rusty?” Noah scoffs. “I don’t know what you said to him because you went too fast.”

“I insulted you and praised your fictional character.”

That draws a laugh. “Make my guy smile and I don’t care what you say, Wildfire.” Noah’s face sobers. He ruffles Jude’s hair, then lifts his gaze to mine. “Just when I thought you couldn’t get any more perfect.”

My stomach swoops like a whirlpool took hold of my insides. “I’m not perfect, Noah.”

“Hmm. Agree to disagree.”

Cheers erupt at the doorway. Briar and Tyrell make their entrance. Noah nudges us aside, his body close enough I can breathe in the smooth spice of his skin.

Maybe I channeled my inner Mia too forcefully.

Somewhere during the months I blotted out the truth that Noah Hayden left me feeling wanted, safe, cherished. I doubt he’s even trying, but he’s doing it all over again.

Truth be told, I don’t think I’m getting out of this night with my heart intact.