Chapter Twenty - Doubtful

Hunter Jackson's P.O.V.

"You ready?" I ask as I make my way into the room. "Last chance to back out."

"Shut up." Cory grins with a playful roll of his eyes.

Today's is Cory and Jordan's wedding day. Me and Zoe arrived yesterday evening at the mansion that looks like it's straight out of Europe. It's only fifty miles away from New York City and is set on one hundred and fifty acres of land. The ceremony is being held outside in the meadow with numerous trees surrounding us. I peeked already and the decorations look amazing.

I help him do his tie up before fixing his handkerchief. All of us groomsmen, Cory and his father chatter away before someone tells us it's finally time. I give him a tight hug before making my way towards the exit. I'm paired up with a woman called Veronica who is apparently Jordan's maid of honor. She smiles at me politely before we make our way outside to the altar. Taking my place, I look up to lock eyes with Zoe.

She's wearing a long, pink dress with a flower pattern. As I remember from when she showed me there's a strip of material at her waist which leads to a bow at the back. Her sleeves are slightly puffy and I know that the dress is backless. She cut her hair shorter before we left too so now it rests a little after her collarbone. She looks breath-taking and I still can't believe she's all mine.

She smiles at me before giving me a thumbs up. I chuckle in amusement before winking at her. But then she frowns and rummages in her purse for her phone. I watch as she stares at the screen before quickly putting it back, without responding. She's been doing that for days now and thinks that I haven't noticed but I have. I decide to ask her when we're back home.

Soon, Cory comes out with his mom and dad before Jordan enters. She looks amazing in her wedding gown as her dad walks her down the aisle. I can see her mother wiping away stray tears as they reach Cory. Jordan pecks her father's cheek before Cory takes her hands in his. The ceremony flies by smoothly and their vows are funny but cute nonetheless. When Cory turns to me for the ring I hand it over to him with a smile.

They say, "I do," and the officiator pronounces them as husband and wife. I cheer along with everyone else as they kiss before facing the guests as a married couple. White rose petals are thrown over their heads as they make their way down the aisle. When they're gone, I direct everyone to the reception area with the rest of the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

"Hey, you look beautiful." I kiss Zoe before taking her hand.

"You don't look too bad yourself." She winks as her emerald eyes roam over my figure appreciatively. "Jordan looked so gorgeous, didn't she? I can't wait to meet her!"

"She did." I agree as I smile at her excited self. "I can't wait to eat."

I laugh as she swats my arm with a roll of her eyes. We head into the tented area which is decorated equally as beautifully. Cory and Jordan enter not too long after and Jordan's changed into another white dress now. We take our seats for dinner and I feel myself becoming nervous again at the thought of my speech.

"You'll be fine, don't worry." Zoe whispers before squeezing my hand reassuringly.

I feel myself relax slightly and kiss her forehead. "Thanks, Red. I hope so."

As she told me the speeches fly by smoothly, even my own. I'm the third person to make one and I talk about our times in college, how Cory never wanted to settle down and how I thought he'd end up alone with a house full of cats for sure at one point. The crowd laughs throughout my speech and I even catch Jordan teasing Cory sometimes. The more I talk the easier it gets. I eventually end with a toast to the new couple and wish them a happy married life.

After, we all have dinner and Zoe grins at me proudly which makes me smile. I'm glad to see her talk comfortably with some of the other bridesmaids and groomsmen plus their dates. The huge cake is cut too and Zoe laughs at my eager grin when I'm served a slice of the chocolatey goodness. Eventually, everyone moves to the dance floor and after I have a dance with Veronica I immediately find Zoe.

She laughs when I pull her to the dance floor before Cory and Jordan greet us. I watch Zoe fawn over Jordan and compliment the glowing woman. She hugs Zoe tightly and whispers something to her which makes her blush fiercely. Cory seems to catch on and when I ask him he refuses to tell me. I shrug it off when we resume dancing and spend most of the evening on the floor.

But just as Zoe leaves to go to the bathroom I receive a text from her father, Is Zoe with you?

Yes, why? I type back with a frown as I wonder if something happened.

We don't approve of your relationship with her, Hunter. We are trying to restore our bond with Zoe and she's been ignoring us because of you. Leave my daughter alone, my eyes widen in shock at his message.

I look up at that moment to see Zoe standing by the entrance to the tent. She's staring down at her phone with a sad expression, as if she's hurt. But like every other time she quickly puts her phone back into her purse before walking over to me.

Why the sudden need to restore your bond with your daughter? I type back quickly and receive a reply straight away.

It's not sudden, we've been trying for a while. Ever since she started seeing you she's been ignoring us. Leave her alone Hunter, her family means more to her than you ever will, his answer makes me frown in confusion. Has she been ignoring them when they've tried reaching out to her? I think to myself.

"Hey!" A hand waving in front of me makes me snap out of it. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine sorry." I smile down at Zoe who only wraps her arm around my waist in response. "Jordan and Cory are leaving for their honeymoon now."

It's only now that I notice how strained her smile is sometimes. Does she miss her family? Will she meet with them? Why hasn't she said anything? I wonder to myself as we make our way over to the couple at the entrance to the venue. There's a car waiting to take them away to the airport and we hug them goodbye. As they drive off with a wave our cheers and hollers echo into the late evening behind them. Turning to Zoe, I take her hand and guide her back to our room.

I ask her if she wants to take a walk because I'm sure like me she wants to clear her mind. She agrees and we change into more casual, comfortable clothing before venturing back outside again. We eventually find a trail and start walking with the countryside scenery surrounding us.

"Are you okay?" I finally ask only for her to frown in confusion.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

I shrug halfheartedly as I realize she's not going to tell me. "You've just seemed a bit off these past few days."

"I'm tired I guess?" She smiles before looking out at the scenery ahead of us. "I just have a lot on my plate right now but don't worry, it won't last long. I promise."

Will we last long? I wonder before feeling pain bloom across my chest at the thought of Zoe not being in my life. I would love for her to work things out with her family but they don't approve of me so will they try and take her away from me?

"Hunt..." She pulls me to a halt and makes me turn to her. "What's wrong?"

"You love me right?" I blurt while feeling a sense of insecurity and doubt rise within me.

"Of course, I do." She caresses my cheek with a worried look as I lean back against the fence. "What happened?"

"Nothing...I just wanted to hear you say it." I smile and she swats my arm with a shaky exhale.

"You had me so worried!" She glares at me playfully before wrapping her arms around my waist. "I love you more than anything and anyone else in this entire world. Don't you forget it!"

I grin before she pushes up on her toes and presses her lips against mine. She tastes sweet like always and her comforting scent wraps around me. I can never resist and always find myself wanting more of her addictive kisses. She's like a drug that I can't get enough of and every moment with her feels like heaven, as sappy as that sounds. It's like she's made for me and I don't know how I'll ever be able to survive without her.

"I love you too, Red." I smile before taking her hand. "Let's head back since it's getting too dark. I heard they have a huge pool!"

"You're such a kid!" She laughs as I eagerly tug her along.

"I just want to see you in a bikini." I wink back at her and she laughs even louder. I'm glad I can make her happy and take away some of her worry, even if it's momentarily.

"Well, I can't wait for you to peel it off me after." She murmurs seductively and I feel myself grow hard in an instant.

"On second thought let's just stay in our room for the night." I pull her into the mansion and up the stairs to our room.

"Sounds like a great idea." She grins cheekily as she closes the door behind her.

Safe to say we don't leave until the next morning. 

Update schedule is: twice weekly whenever I find time!

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