Tyler took the beer out of my hand. “You were black-out drunk last night, and you’re drinking again. I thought you were going to quit? Do I need to quit with you?”

“I’ve just lost my sister. Not the best time to stop drinking.”

“There will never be a good time if you have to drink every time you’re upset. Shit happens. You have to learn to deal with it without alcohol. I love you no matter what, but you need to wake up, Ellie.”

My eyebrows pulled together as I stared at the wall. “I can’t wake up. This isn’t a dream.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Glowing white lights hung from the ceiling, strung along the muslin looped loosely from the rafters. Fat candle votives were surrounded with elaborate green and white floral centerpieces on each table.

Abby and Travis were slow dancing in the center of the room, whispering and smiling, deliriously happy. I was lying on the floor, snapping pictures and looking for other angles. I’d already taken shots of the wedding party, the families, the couples, and the first dance. Next would be the cutting of the cake, but Travis and Abby didn’t seem to be in any hurry.

I pushed to my feet, feeling someone tap on my shoulder. Tyler stood behind me, clean-shaven and gorgeous in a tux, his top button undone and his bow tie hanging off kilter.

“Wanna dance?” he asked.

“I should probably stay focused. I’d hate to miss anything.”

He slid his hands into his pants pockets and nodded.

“Oh, go on!” Camille said, pulling up on my camera until the strap slipped over my head. “I’ll take your picture.”

“I prefer to be on the other side of the camera,” I said.

“Please?” Tyler said, tugging me toward the dance floor.

I followed, but Camille clicking my camera like paparazzi was maddening. Tyler and I smiled for a few pictures, and then Camille decided to try her photography skills on Shepley’s parents and Trenton.

Tyler stared at our hands while he swayed with me a few feet away from the not-so-newlyweds. He touched his smooth cheek to mine, breathing me in and savoring the moment.

“This is a good song,” he said. “I’ve heard it a hundred times and never thought I’d be in St. Thomas dancing with you to it.”

“It’s beautiful here. I’d forgotten. If I haven’t told you thank you yet … thank you.”

“If I hadn’t, America’s parents would have paid your way.”

“Maybe they would have gotten me my own room,” I said with a smirk.

“Doubtful. No one believes that we’re just friends, despite your insistence.”