We made it just in time for the start of the wedding ceremony.

They barely glanced at us when we snuck into the church and took a seat at the back. It was hard to sit still during it all. To hear them talk about their love for each other was like a punch to the heart. When they read their vows, I had to hold back tears. Silas sat next to me the whole time holding my hand.

Before we left, I had gone back upstairs to my apartment to freshen up. When I returned Silas looked pissed. When I asked him what had happened, he told me that it was business related. I had a feeling that it was more than that but I didn't push.

I pushed the thoughts away and tried to focus on the couple at the front of the church, but what happened in his car kept flashing through my mind. I had never come so hard before. I squeezed my thighs together to relief the ache that started again. Silas shifted beside me, drawing my attention.

Turning my head, I glanced up at him. He was staring straight ahead but I could see his nostrils flaring. His hold on my hand tightened for a few seconds before loosening. My eyes dropped to his neck where I had bitten him but I couldn't see the bite mark because his shirt collar hid it from view. I slowly glanced down his body. My eyes widened when I saw the bulge in his pants.

Silas cleared his throat, making my eyes snap up to his. He gave me a wink before focusing his attention to the front again. Was he thinking about it too?

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

I glanced to the front just in time to watch Brian lift the veil from Andrea's face. He gave her a big smile as he pulled her close and lowered his head. I had to look away from them when I imagined that it was me and Silas standing there. What would it be like being married to Silas?

It would do me no good by thinking of things that would never happen. Our relationship would never go that far and I needed to remember that.

***

The reception was being held in the backyard of Andrea and Brian's brand new house. Upon arriving we all took turns taking pictures. After that we were led through the house to the back. I left Silas with the new husband and groom before heading back inside in search of Andrea.

"Psst, Lara."

I spun around. My eyes instantly fell on her leaning around the door of what looked like the master bedroom. She gestured me closer with hushed instructions to hurry. I bit back a smile as I hurried into the room. Andrea closed the door and slipped the lock in place before she turned to face me.

"I need your help with these damn buttons." She turned and presented her back to me. "I thought it was a great idea when I chose the dress, but now I regret it."

"Why?" I asked as I moved closer. "Isn't this suppose to be your husband's job?"

"Not everyone is as into traditions as you," she muttered.

"What's wrong with traditions?"

"Nothing." Andrea shrugged. "Change is good, Lara. Remember that."

I frowned as I repeated her words in my mind. Change came with worries and heartaches and a whole lot of other troubles. I learned from a young age to keep things simple. I created my own traditions and I loved them. Changes made me uncomfortable.

Pushing the last button through the hole, I dropped my arms and stepped back. Unease twisted my stomach. Things were going to be changing, I knew that. Silas was going to leave or rather I was going to leave before he could. I just needed to handle a few things but by tomorrow night my bags would be packed and my next destination would be planned out. I'd leave without saying goodbye because it'll hurt too much.

"Thank you for the help," Andrea said, breaking through my thoughts. "Why were you so late? I was waiting for you to help me dress but they told me that you haven't arrived yet. I was worried that something had happened."

I quickly turned away from her to hide the blush flooding my cheeks. My mind scrambled up for an excuse, but I came up empty. Andrea laughed.

"So, have you guys had sex yet?"

"What?" I spun around. "Why?"

She glanced at me. "I'm just curious. Was that why you were late?"

"No." I glanced around the room. "Silas had to take an important call and it went on longer than expected."

"Mmm." She smiled. "Whatever you say, babe."

"What about you?" I asked to change the direction of the conversation. "What have I missed these last few days? You've been so busy with the wedding that we barely had time just to sit down and talk like we used too."

"I may have a new job," she muttered as she pulled on a t-shirt. "It's not official yet. Once we get back from the honeymoon I'll start right away. If I like it, I'm hired. If not then I'll look for something else."

"That's great!"

I made my way over to the window. Pushing the curtain aside, I glanced outside but saw nothing but a big tree and a grey wall beyond it. A sigh fell from my lips when I turned back towards Andrea. She was still talking about the new job. Her excitement bled through her voice. She even made promises to see if she could get me a job at her mother-in-law's shop too.

"Come on. Let's go party!" Andrea exclaimed after she finished dressing. "We have about two hours to catch up before we leave for our honeymoon."

I smiled when she grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the room and down the hall towards the kitchen. The moment we entered, Andrea's mother-in-law called her over. She introduced me to her and her two new sister-in-laws. I've never felt so out of place than I did in that tiny kitchen. The women joked about and talked about things I had no clue about. Andrea tried to include me in the conversations but after a while she just gave up.

It gave me the perfect excuse to silently slip out of the kitchen.

The sun was starting to set. Someone had turned on little fairy lights that hung from the branches of the trees nearby. A long table had been set to the left of the yard near the back wall. Little fairy lights decorated the middle along with some flowers. Nothing was fancy but things had been chosen with care.

My eyes darted over to the barbeque where I left Silas. Brian stood there with his father, his friend and another man I didn't recognize. Silas was nowhere to be found. Panic hit when I glanced around the backyard. Had he left without me?

I spun around, ready to race to the front of the house to search for his car, but I only made it a few steps before I slammed into a hard body. Hands gripped my hips to steady me. My head snapped up and the instant relieve that hit me made my knees weaken. I slumped against his body with a whimper falling from my lips.

"What happened?" Silas asked, hugging me close.

I slipped my arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. Sucking in a deep breath, I allowed his familiar scent to calm my racing heart.

"Lara—"

"I thought you had left me," I whispered.

His arms tightened. "I just slipped away to take a phone call. Why would you think I left without you?"

I shook my head and laid my cheek against his chest. I couldn't explain the sudden panic I felt. Why was I so damn afraid that he would leave me? Why does it matter when I'd be walking away from him? Why was the thought of leaving making it so hard to breathe?

Silas's lips brushed against my forehead. He rubbed my back with one hand while his other slipped up to rest at the back of my head. Maybe the wedding ceremony was just messing with my emotions. But as the minutes passed, I realized why I was getting so emotional. My period was close to starting.

"Gather around ladies! It's time to throw the bouquet," Andrea called after the speeches.

I wasn't planning on participating but she gripped my wrist and forced me up and in line with the other women. Andrea gave me a wink before walking away. She stopped a few feet away with her back towards us.

"Ready? Here we go!"

My eyes widened when the bouquet flew through the air and hit me right in the face. I jerked and quickly reached up to catch it before it could hit the ground. I stared down at it for a few seconds before my eyes snapped up and towards Silas. The sound of the cheers faded around me as our eyes locked.

Silas actually looked shocked but he quickly masked his futures. My stomach clenched when he gave me a wink and a small smile.

What was he thinking?

"I didn't see that one coming," Andrea muttered in my ear, jerking me back to reality. "You better invite me to your wedding or else there would be hell to pay."

I forced a smile. I felt anything but comfortable at the moment. After a few more jokes we all took place at the table. The best man disappeared into the house and a few seconds later music filled the air.

"Time for the bride and groom's first dance."

Brian stood and held out a hand for his bride. She smiled up at him as she placed her hand in his. He muttered something in her ear which made her giggle as he led her away from the table. Andrea instantly wrapped her arms around his neck when he pulled her against him. A lump formed in my throat.

My emotions were all over the place and I hated it.

"Do you want to dance?"

I blinked rapidly before turning my head to stare up at Silas. Without me realizing it, he had stood and held out his hand towards me. I hesitated but placed my hand in his and allowed him to pull me up and lead me toward the dance floor.

"I don't really know how to dance," I muttered.

He smirked. "Just follow my lead."