When The Wrong Groom Shows Up

pushed through the crowd at an

ologne and the loud thumping of a

or party, and I was here to surprise him w

of friends, their laughter cut

f, Matt! The 'relationship swap'

z, right before you tie the knot. You're a legend

od ran

ol flame. The one he always

t of the bodies separ

rrier overlooking the Strip, his hands tangled

watch box in my hand fe

and saw me. There was no panic in

hat are you

was tight, and my heart wa

in her eyes as she wiped a smudge of lip

aid, but his tone was dismissive. "It's

elf and Nicole. "A relationship

hurt more than the kiss. H

the tears welling in my ey

with my brother, Andrew. He' s over the

ed then, a smug,

you on Saturday, so

suddenly went quiet. A strange cal

ally looked at him,

" I wh

away, leaving him standin

the pulsing music, Andrew Clark found

o me. His expre

said, his voice low and st

water, my hand t

cessful, and had a quiet intensity that always commanded respect. He' d built his own

me. But I' d often caught him looking at his

w stated, not as an

earching mine. "Madisyn, how would you fe

him, shocked

ect, so audacious, it s

e of memories flas

ent to get the marriage lice

een t

Nicole. Her car broke down. Her dog was sick. She h

"She' s all alone, Madd

him. I' d rescheduled, rearranged

es for him to see her. He was never going to get th

inning. It was a confirmation of an en

isgust for Matthew solidifying

ingle, dec

es

dn't identify crossed Andrew'

silent agreement

l," he said, his voice all business now. "

omise, Madisyn. I will be a