He Gave My Wedding to Her

Chapter 2

Back at the apartment, I packed my passport, work documents, and clothes into a suitcase.

I left every wedding item behind.

As I closed the suitcase, I noticed a bridal catalog open on my desk. It was turned to my wedding gown, a crystal-and-lace mermaid dress.

Jenna had said it would flatter my waist, and Wright paid the deposit on the spot.

I, however, had wanted the plain satin gown beside it. It reminded me of a bride in an old movie.

Jenna had laughed at how conservative my choice was.

Wright agreed. "Emma, Jenna has better taste than you. Just go with what she picked."

I stared at the dress that didn't feel like mine until the front-door lock clicked.

Wright and Jenna walked in, Jenna carrying a wedding-photo planning guide.

Wright reached for the booklet, but she laughed and darted behind the couch.

"Give it to me. It's my wedding with Emma."

"Oh, so you do remember it's your wedding? Who saved the day for you today?"

They chased each other around the couch before finally noticing me in the bedroom doorway.

"Emma, come look," Jenna called. "Let's pick a concept for the wedding photos."

She spread the guide across the coffee table and opened it to a page.

"Wow, this place is gorgeous. Wright, look!"

Their heads nearly touching, Wright and Jenna flipped through the pages and pointed out one detail after another.

"This one. I love it!"

"Isn't the location a little cramped?"

"You're so picky. We're choosing this one!"

They started horsing around again. Jenna swatted Wright, and he caught her by the wrist, the catalog crackling between them.

Wright laughed. "Keep it up, and I'm not booking this place."

Jenna ducked her head. "Okay, okay, my fault. Let go..."

Only then did he release her, ruffling her hair as he did.

I stood off to the side, feeling like the most unnecessary person in the room.

Jenna really did look more like Wright's bride than I did.

The dress was the one Jenna liked.

The decor was what Jenna liked too.

When they reached another page, Jenna announced, "Gonna take the photos at the beach. I've had it planned forever. Sun, sand, and a wedding gown. What could be more perfect?"

Wright nodded. "Sure. The beach it is."

I watched Wright trade ideas with Jenna, then said, "I don't want the beach. I'd rather take them on a lawn."

Wright looked up at me, caught off guard.

Jenna blinked, then laughed. "Emma, what are you thinking? A lawn is so boring. The beach is way more romantic and fun."

Wright laughed with her and patted my head. "Jenna's right. The beach will be fun. You could learn a thing or two from her about taste."

His hand rested on my hair.

The warmth was familiar, but suddenly his touch made my skin crawl. My eyes stung.

In his eyes, anything I chose was automatically worse than Jenna's choice.

When we replaced the apartment curtains last year, I picked cream. Jenna said gray wouldn't show dirt as easily.

Wright didn't even look at the swatches before paying. He just said to go with Jenna's.

When we planned a vacation the year before, I suggested the Silverpeak Mountains. They still chose the beach Jenna wanted.

At first, I thought maybe I simply wasn't speaking loudly enough. Later, when I tried to stand my ground, they laughed and told me I didn't know better, had no experience, and would regret my choices.

My wedding was no different.

I pulled out my phone and texted my parents.

Emma: Mom, Dad, I'm not going through with this marriage.

They sent back a flood of questions, then took them all back and just said.

Dad: Whatever you decide, we've got your back.

My eyes went hot instantly.

I wiped away the tears, walked to my bedroom, and pulled out my suitcase.

Wright finally noticed it. "Why are you packing? Business trip?"

Before I could answer, Jenna exclaimed and stole his attention again. She flipped the schedule open and pointed to a page.

"Oh no. We forgot to confirm the wedding-day photo session. We'll only have 40 minutes of golden light before sunset."

Wright bent over the booklet. "Then shorten cocktail hour by 10 minutes."

"No. The guests will feel neglected."

"What if we cut Emma's private photos with her parents?"

They started arguing again.

I pulled my suitcase to the door. "I'm leaving."

Wright didn't look up. "Come back soon. We still have to shop for wedding rings in a few days."

Jenna waved. "Safe travels. Oh, shut the door on your way out."