Hayden Henry didn’t usually get caught up in romantic or fanciful thoughts, but watching her best friend dance with her groom forced her to admit true love was indeed possible.
For others.
Not for her.
She’d tried twice. Given a relationship everything she had twice. Gotten her heart annihilated twice.
That didn’t stop her from being over-the-moon happy for Sierra and Cole. They were perfect for each other, and their late-January wedding and reception had turned out to be a joyous, undeniable celebration of two souls who were meant to be together. The Honeysuckle Inn, an adorable venue an hour south of Nashville, provided the ideal combination of historical beauty and intimate coziness to enhance their big day.
After finishing the ice water she’d picked up at the bar, Hayden made her way over to two of her fellow bridesmaids, Mackenzie and Kennedy, whose eyes were also locked on the newlyweds.
“They make it look easy,” Hayden said.
“I’m so happy for my little sister,” Kennedy said, and Hayden did a double take when she noticed tears welling in Kennedy’s eyes.
“Happy tears?” Hayden asked in shock, because Sierra’s older sister had never been one to display her emotions willingly.
“Pregnant tears. Dammit, I’m ready for this baby to be here!” She laughed as a single drop cascaded down her cheek.
“You’re getting close but still too early,” Mackenzie said warmly, her eyes lit up. “Less than two months?”
“March eleventh. Eternity.” Kennedy wiped her eyes, then settled her hands on her belly.
Hayden checked the urge to touch Kennedy’s belly at the same time she checked the envy that surged through her.
Foolish girl. Babies are for other people too.
Her hormones had been playing games lately, making her think she wanted a baby, ignoring logic. Logic said it took two people to make a baby for a reason, particularly because babies and kids were a lot of work, and it was best to share that with another human.
Did people raise kids on their own all the time? Sure. Look at Eliza with Calvin. That woman was a shero for sure. But Hayden’s life was overflowing as it was. Most days she could barely handle her beloved double workload, and she couldn’t fathom having a baby on top of that.
She’d make do with spoiling her friends’ babies—Kennedy’s in a few weeks and Lena’s now—as often as she could. It wouldn’t be long before there were others, what with all the weddings and engagements in her circle. They were at that age where people added to their lives, hooked up with a happily ever after, then went forth and made babies.
As the bride and groom’s first dance wound down, Hayden yanked herself out of her musings and returned her gaze to the lovely couple on the dance floor, not having to fake her smile. The clinking of silverware on glasses began in earnest, and Cole had his lips on Sierra’s almost instantly, making the crowd laugh.
Hayden snapped to attention and scanned the room for her dance partner for the upcoming bridal party dance.
Her heart rate kicked up at the mere thought of Zane North, and then she spotted him across the way and sucked in a breath. Literally gasped. Everything in her that was female stood at attention, because he was that delectable.
He made eye contact from the other side of the dance floor, and she swore the impact of those eyes on hers made her shaky inside. And he was still a good forty feet away, for God’s sake.
Pasting a laid-back smile on her face, she started toward the dance floor to meet him halfway, keeping her eyes on him, fighting to tamp down her shakiness.
This wasn’t like her at all. She wasn’t shy around men, didn’t hesitate to flirt with the hottest one in a room, did not physically react like this—ever.
Except to Zane.
She’d had the same reaction when she’d first laid eyes on him at Mackenzie and Drake’s wedding last fall in Malta. Then again last night at the rehearsal dinner at Gabe’s vacation home here on Dragonfly Lake. It had been an informal affair—a buffet-style barbecue instead of round tables of eight where she would’ve been assigned to sit right next to him. She’d been relieved and disappointed at the same time. Because something about Zane North set her off-kilter.
This evening, during the meal, she’d spent a span at Zane’s side, every one of her senses tuned in to him, but the wedding party was a rowdy one that had kept the whole group entertained, and one-on-one conversation hadn’t been necessary or possible.
So far, she’d spoken to him a handful of times, exchanged pleasantries and small talk, and found him to be quiet, with such a serious outlook that she’d worked to make him smile…and then basked in the reward when she’d succeeded.
And still, her insides quivered as they approached each other on the hardwood floor while the DJ chattered then introduced the wedding party and started their song.
As Zane, with his short sandy-brown hair, penetrating blue eyes, and rigid square jaw, held out his hand to her, he formally said, “At your service.” Only the twitch of one corner of his lips gave any hint of lightheartedness.
“My hero,” she said flirtatiously as she took his hand, ran her other one up the lapel of his tux, and moved her body inches from his.
“I hope you require a guy to do more than just show up in order to be your hero,” Zane said, a sparkle in his eye that could make a girl swoon—even a modern, liberated girl who didn’t believe in swooning.
“I’m easy,” she said as his large hands settled at her waist, his warmth penetrating the fine fabric of her silver gown. “Wait. That didn’t come out right.”
“You’re easy to be with.” The teasing tone was gone from his voice, as if his words were sincere.
“You don’t seem like a guy who gets nervous about dancing with a girl.” The smile she shot up at him maintained a lightness, because that was her go-to mode. Fun, flirty, and out for a good time that did not necessarily require a man.
“Only the pretty ones.”
“Are you flirting, Lieutenant North?”
“Just Zane.” His reply was subdued, as if he was still adjusting to life outside of the military.
*****
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "An emotionally charged, heartfelt story that has forever secured these amazing characters a special place in my heart."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "This is not a book to miss, it will have you laughing out loud, crying too and them just sighing is so wonderful."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "I truly loved reading this story! It's a feel-good, sexy, fun & moving romance."
