Hope you are all ready 😤 some big things are about to happen in the next few chapters.

Buckle up 💗
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I didn't bother following up with Cole as the next few days passed. He'd crossed a line so many times since I'd known him, and I wasn't at all surprised Hero kept me away from him.

There had been moments I knew I should have alerted Tawnee of this behavior, but I decided against it. Just because he was persistent didn't mean I needed to ruin his career. 

Then again, they were family.

I spent my time preparing for the wedding. I knew my only concern was to stand at the alter with Josephine, but it didn't stop my worries from going haywire.

I wanted everything to be perfect, from my appearance to my etiquette. I used a good deal of my paychecks scheduling a makeover and hiring a hair stylist. 

Hero acted remotely the same as he had the past week, though I was glad to see that he'd gone to purchase his own tux. 

His attitude was getting on my nerves despite Dr. Zenith urging me to be more understanding.

I'd let so many instances go, biting my tongue, but I would be lying if I said it didn't hurt that he refused to cuddle with me in his sleep like he used to.

I nearly laughed as I thought this. From the outside looking in, he didn't seem like the type to do this but it was the truth. He'd admitted that he slept better with me around. 

What was the case now? Was I not desirable enough? Was he getting it from someone else? 

I needed answers.

The day of the wedding I'd decided to get a headstart on my day. I'd had a spinach wrap for breakfast before heading to the nearest and most expensive salon. 

I felt more at ease when they had thinned my hair and made my locks shine brighter than even Kylie's raven hair.

"Anything special planned?" The stylist had asked as she conditioned my scalp. 

I'd sighed. "Yes, as a matter of fact. My best friend is getting married. I'm the bridesmaid." 

The stylist had grinned.

"I'm sure she's on cloud nine by now."

This had made me think.

Yes, she probably was on cloud nine. Niall was a good guy. From what he saw, he treated Jo like a queen. I could tell they loved each other. I had been looking forward to this day.

It was supposed to be joyous. I'd wanted to be there for her with my boyfriend, experiencing it with an open mind.

What Cole had said wasn't getting to my mind was it?

When I had finished the afternoon with a completed smokey eye look and had dressed in my black bridesmaid dress, I'd expected Hero to notice or even compliment on it, but he'd done neither. 

It was like he was unfazed, seeming indifferent. 

When he gathered his keys and assessed his hair, I didn't bother holding it in anymore.

"You want to address what your damn issue is?" I spit. 

He turned around, straightening his tie. 

"What?" 

He seemed mystified, almost as if he hadn't been ignoring me all week. 

I stomped my pumps like a small child, gesturing to my outfit.

"Here I am, looking all hot and sexy for you, and you don't bat an eye. All this was for your benefit." 

Hero dug his hands in his pockets, clearing his throat. 

"Aren't all you girls dressing like that?" 

What the actual hell? The nerve of him! Was he blind or just plain stupid? 

"Am I just not attractive to you anymore?" I scoffed. "Do I not turn you on?"

Hero took a deep breath. 

"Kristina, you're acting crazy right now. I love you. If I could take out my throbbing cock right now, I would. You're more desirable than you think."

I narrowed my eyes, not bothering to hide my irritation. 

"Then why have you been avoiding me at every turn? It was like we had an understanding at the park and then you began giving me the cold shoulder. Is something wrong?" 

"No," Hero huffed, "nothings wrong. Can we go now?" 

As he made for the door, I tapped him violently on the shoulder, causing him to stop.

"No. We can't go. Not until I know where we stand. If you're planning to break up with me, I'll be damned if I'm going to play pretend at my best friends wedding." 

Hero's eyes widened. He didn't look happy. 

"You're out of your goddamn mind, baby. I'm trying to not snap at you, but you're trying my patience. I just want to get this started, okay? I'd never planned on attending my best friends wedding, let alone my cousins."

"It's her, isn't it?" I challenged before he could touch the door knob again. "Diedre. Have you been seeing her behind my back? At this point, you may as well dumb yourself down to Kylie's standards again-"

Hero slammed both his fists against the door, turning to face me. He was fuming, his hands now running through his hair in exasperation. 

"Why do you have to know fucking everything?" He snapped. "Do you ever stop to think that maybe you should mind your own fucking business? I swear. Sometimes you love to fight."

I shook my head in disbelief. 

"Then maybe some of the things I do shouldn't concern you." 

I saw his head snap up at this. I went on. 

"Fine. Maybe it wasn't your grandmother. Did your mother tell you that she was coming?" 

Like he had the breath knocked out of him, Hero clutched his chest. 

"What the hell did you just say?" 

Oh. So she hadn't. 

"She's been acting strange lately." I replied. "I thought it was a kind gesture. I asked her not to tell Diedre about it."
 
"Well good going." He groaned. "Now that's going to give her incentive to invite her... look. I don't want to fight. Can we just have a good night and get going?" 

I crossed my arms, willing to admit I was overreacting. 

"Okay. Let's go." 

My nerves spiked when we finally arrived downtown. The chapel didn't look like a chapel at all. It looked like the standard neighborhood church. 

I was about to comment on how underwhelming it all was until we stepped foot inside. It was as if the building had magically grown two sizes larger. 

Big enough to qualify as an apartment, the chapel was adorned with white cathedral walls and pink satin. Set around an intimate indoor gazebo, was a sphere-shaped space with many tables and chairs. 

The entire room was already packed. As Hero and I weaved our way through the crowd, I didn't see any familiar faces.

Jo must have still been getting ready. 

Out of nowhere, Hero rested a hand on my shoulder. 

"I'm going to find Niall. Will you be okay without me?" 

At his intense stare, I giggled. 

"I'll be fine." 

Once he'd rushed away and I faced the many strangers again, I wasn't so sure.

I had just begun to survey my surroundings when I was hit, nearly knocked off my feet. 

Staggering, I eyed the man that had done this. He seemed remorseful, steadying me carefully. 

Now that I saw his face, he was a bit wasted. 

"I'm so sorry, sir-" I began, but was interrupted.

"No, allow me to apologize." He said.

Now that I got a good look at him, he was a gruff man with broad shoulders and a stony face. He wore a velvet tux that looked like it costed a fortune. 

"Could I have your name?" He went on. 

I smiled, not seeing anything wrong with that. 

"Yes. It's Kristina." 

The mans eyebrows rose in acknowledgement. 

"Ah! You're the friend of the bride, correct?" 

I grinned. "I am. Are you family?" 

The man laughed more friendly than I expected. 

"No, I'm more of a close friend of the Horans." 

I nodded, extending a hand. 

"It's nice to meet you. I should go find a seat." 

As I left the man, I couldn't wait for Hero to join me again.

Thank you all for your support.

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