Then Holly and her parents brushed beside them, going up to the front. Holly’s dress was beautiful, she had to admit, although the long, flowing train was more suited to an indoor event. While Aaron was smiling, she wouldn’t say he was beaming with happiness at this most joyous moment in his life. Was he having second thoughts?

As the ceremony began, she squeezed Nic’s hand. Yes, a joyous occasion, yet it seemed depressing. At least to her. It was like they were going through the motions, just trying to get it over with. Maybe they were simply in a hurry to get to their honeymoon—the Cayman Islands. She could picture Holly in a bikini, on the beach. She could not picture Holly in the water, however.

All none of her concern. It was their life. And maybe someday, she and Aaron might have a relationship again. But as she’d told Nic, they’d never been close, and she certainly didn’t see Holly being the one to pull them together.

“You okay?” Nic whispered to her.

She turned, finding Nic’s eyes. “I’m blissfully happy, yes.” She gave her fingers a tight squeeze. “I love you.”

She saw the darkening of her eyes before Nic turned her gaze back to the ceremony. Nic had yet to say those words to her, but that was okay. She didn’t need to hear them to know how Nic felt. Still…it would be nice if she did. She closed her eyes for a moment, being thankful that Nic was in her life. Yes, she was blissfully happy. They had integrated their lives so easily, she found it hard to remember her life before Nic was in it.

And while they weren’t technically living together, they spent most nights at one or the other’s apartment. She’d introduced Nic to Beth and Jenna and they all got along famously. They’d shared dinner three or four times now. And they had a standing dinner date on Sundays with Eric and Addison. She liked them both, and she and Addison were becoming good friends. She was nearly as excited as Nic was for the upcoming birth, which would be any day now.

Cheers erupted and she brought her thoughts back to the wedding, staring as Aaron and Holly shared a quick kiss. As they turned, Holly’s eyes found hers. Abby simply nodded at her, noting the lack of enthusiasm in Holly’s. How sad. How very, very sad.

Then, just like that, it was over with. There was no formal procession. Aaron shook hands and Holly stopped to hug a few people. Her mother came over to them, smiling brightly.

“That was beautiful, wasn’t it?”

“Was it?” she asked quietly.

“At least no one protested,” her mother said pointedly.

“Oh my god! Are you talking about me?”

Her mother winked at her, then went to Nic, hugging her quickly. “You look lovely, Nicole.”