Jenna’s mermaid gown shimmered, the cut of the dress making the most of her petite figure. Their mother’s diamond pendant glittered above her V-shaped neckline. Though the necklace had been given to Sophie, Jenna had begged to wear it as her “something old” and promised to take good care of it. Someday, Sophie wanted to wear the heirloom at her own wedding—but that day felt eons away.

Grant placed a kiss on his bride’s forehead. Sophie couldn’t believe her baby sister was married. Jenna had skated through her teenage dating years, breaking hearts along the way, but had never fallen head over heels.

Then in college Grant had come along, and it had been love at first sight. Jenna, having never suffered a broken heart, was a firm believer in fairy tales. It worried Sophie a little, her expectations. But Grant really was one of the good ones—his taste in best friends aside—and Sophie believed he’d treat Jenna right.

Sophie was tempted to sink into a chair, but she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to get back up. Having gotten little sleep last night, she was running on adrenaline. She’d made it through that long—thankfully silent—walk down the aisle with Aiden. Held back tears through the emotional ceremony. Smiled her way through the pictures, many of them putting her in close contact with Aiden. Chatted her way through the dinner and gotten through her toast—the ending of which she’d had to rewrite since she borrowed it last night.

She’d almost made it.

Sophie swept her gaze around the room, locating her dad near the railing with Sheila, his date. He was entitled to bring someone, but she wished he hadn’t. The presence of the thirtysomething brunette had done nothing to soothe Seth’s bitterness.

Sophie spotted Grant’s grandfather on the beach with other relatives. He swayed slightly as he sipped from a flask. Sophie sighed. Later she would ask him to dance and swipe the thing from him if she had to wrestle him to the ground. She couldn’t allow him to ruin Jenna’s day.

Granny May was seated on one of the benches, watching the bride and groom dance, a soft smile making her seem years younger.

Sophie caught sight of Aiden on the other side of the deck. Dana’s hand rested lightly on his bicep as he seemingly hung on to every word.

For the first time today Sophie allowed her gaze to linger on him. He looked like sin in that black tux. His hands were tucked in his pants pockets, the jacket lapels flaring apart to reveal the crisp white shirt and broad chest beneath it. The physicality of his job had kept him in excellent shape.