Him by Carey Heywood (reading strategies book .txt) 📕

break into a beautiful smile just for her. The service is not long, with one reading of Love is patient and a blessing from the pastor before Brian and Christine say their vows. When it is time to kiss the bride, Brian dips her dramatically while we all cheer. I'm so happy until it hits me how much I wish I was on Will's arm instead of the groomsman next to him. Justine holds Braden's hand and links her other arm through Will's before they follow the bride and groom. Curtis, Justine's husband, and I walk out together. Once we're outside of the church, Will approaches me, holding out his arm. In a daze, I link mine through it, and he rests his other hand on my elbow. My vision blurs when he starts to run his fingers back and forth across my skin.

"You look beautiful, Sarah," he whispers.

"Thank you. You look," I gulp. Hot, sexy, droolworthy, "nice too."

I realize what I'm doing and try to pull my arm away, but he doesn’t let go. I tug at it again and shoot him a look. He shakes his head and ignores me. I'm saved by Cindy, who collects me for some bridesmaid group photos. We go back inside the church and take multiple group shots. I do my best to avoid Will until we are paired up during a full bridal party group shot. It is hard to concentrate, and I hate myself for how my heart starts pounding when he stands behind me with his hands on my waist. When the photographer asks us to move outside, I feel Will's fingers grip me tighter. I look back at him and glare. He loosens his grip and follows me to the steps of the church, where we take more group photos. Afterward, I look around for my parents. They’re my ride to the reception.

I look up at Will. "I'm supposed to ride with my parents."

"I already talked to them. You’re riding with me."

"What?"

He shrugs. "I need to talk, and you need to listen. Pretty sure you won't jump out of a moving car."

"My clutch?"

He smiles, turns us around, and walks me to the room we were in before the wedding. I don’t see the point, but he still holds onto my arm. I grab my clutch, and he leads me out to his car, opening and shutting my door for me. I buckle my belt and fold my hands in my lap as he walks around the car. He slowly backs out and pulls onto the road before he says anything.

"Sarah, what did Jessica have to do with you leaving?"

"I thought you were going to talk, and I was supposed to listen," I huff, looking out my window.

"Please answer me."

"What, you're so surprised I found out?" I hiss.

"Alright, let me just say this one time. I have no idea what you are talking about."

I spin my ring. "So are you trying to say Jessica didn’t go with you to Italy?"

"She did, but—"

He pulls into the country club, which is thankfully on the same street as the church.

"Don't, just don’t." I breathe, looking out my window.

The second he's parked, I’m out the door and speed racing toward the entrance. He's right behind me, so I dash into the ladies’ room, hopeful he won't follow me. I call Sawyer.

"Aren't you supposed be at the wedding?" she asks.

"Wedding is over. I am now hiding from Will in a bathroom at the reception."

"Sarah!"

"I hope you know I am not proud of myself."

"Alright. Time to put on your big girl panties and go talk to that boy. Seriously, Sarah, you are hiding in a bathroom."

She's right. I know she is. I still wait another fifteen minutes before peeking out the door to see if he's there. He isn't, so I make my way into the ballroom.

Chapter 16

Past

 

 

 

"You are so beautiful," Will whispers in my ear as he slips my corsage onto my wrist.

I love the dress Brian helped me pick out. It has a beaded halter-style neckline and falls elegantly to my ankles. I see Will's eyes widen when he notices the hidden slit up the side. My hands shake as I pin his boutonniere to his lapel. My mom takes a million pictures of us before she lets us leave, then takes even more pictures of us getting into Will's car. Will pulls me into his lap once the door is shut behind us. I freak out, thinking my parents can see us, until he reminds me of the tinted windows. Prom is being held in the ballroom of the community center. By the time we get there, Will has kissed off all of my lipstick, and I have to reapply. After we walk in, we have our pictures taken again under an arch made out of balloons. A bunch of kids from our class are going to an after party at Bravo's house. We are not.

Will got us a room at a hotel. He picked one out of the way so it would feel more private. We're both ready to leave but are only staying for the prom court announcement. Will doesn’t care, but I think he's going to be named prom king, and I don’t want him to regret missing that. I wait off to the side when the prom court is called up onto the stage. I meet Will's eyes and grin when he blows me a kiss. My smile falls a bit when I notice Jessica glaring at me. I'm grateful when they dim the lights to announce prom queen, until they call her name. I'm not surprised. She’s gorgeous, her blonde hair tumbling over her bare shoulders and the top of her strapless red gown.

When they call Will's name for prom king, I can't help but smile at his goofy expression. He looks around the room until his eyes rest on me. He laughs when I give him a wolf whistle. I'm less thrilled when I remember the