After an evening writing speeches and dancing around the living room, Marissa had gone to bed in an almost dream-like state. Was it really possible that after all these years, they were finally coming together? Did they actually have a chance to be together?

The question danced through her head as she tossed and turned and attempted to sleep.

Attempted because every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the kiss and relived every second of it. Like he’d said earlier, there was definitely nothing strange about that kiss. It wasn’t done for others, just them.

They hadn’t kissed again, but as far as Marissa was concerned, that was almost better because now there was an easiness between them that hadn’t been there before. They laughed and joked, and the tension was gone.

When she was finally able to fall asleep, she fell into a deeply disturbing dream.

It was her wedding day. She walked down the aisle in the dress of her dreams, toward what had to be the man of her dreams. When he turned around, she could see it was Nick. Her heart swelled with happiness and then as she reached the altar, he began to laugh.

A cruel, heartless laugh. Just like he had all those years ago when she’d been so sure he loved her back. The laughter went on for what seemed like forever, as she simply stood there, crushed by the love of her life as he rejected her in the harshest way she could imagine, on her wedding day.

Marissa woke with a start to see the sun was starting to peek through her blinds. She sat up in bed and tried to process what had just happened.

It wasn’t real.

They were past that. The laughing. The childishness. The rejection. That was in the past.

There was nothing funny about the way they’d kissed last night.

Things had definitely shifted between them. Her subconscious had gotten it wrong.

And it wasn’t them who were getting married anyway. Dreams didn’t make any sense. Her subconscious had just muddled everything up into one big mess. It was probably because she never had any closure on what had happened between them.

Maybe she should just ask him about it and find out once and for all how she’d been so wrong about how Nick had felt about her.

Marissa stretched her arms over her head and took a few deep, cleansing breaths. By the time she was on her last exhale, she felt dramatically better and had managed to calm herself down. She’d also decided that she wasn’t a child anymore, and she was definitely going to confront him for an explanation about the way he’d laughed at her. No matter what the answer was, she needed to know. It was only fair.

Besides, it wasn’t as if she had any real expectations about what was going on between them now. Not really. She wasn’t a kid anymore. Things had changed. She had changed. She was no longer an insecure, lovestruck teenager.

No.

Whatever was happening—or not—with Nick, she was going in with her eyes wide open.

After a quick shower, Marissa was in their shared kitchen, pouring herself a cup of coffee, when Nick walked out of his own bedroom, looking ridiculously handsome in his workout shorts and t-shirt, and smelling even better.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

Her heart soared and when he bent down to kiss her on the cheek, she thought she might totally combust.

So much for not having any expectations.

“Did you sleep well?”

She nodded, although it was a lie. “How about you? Are you ready for a day of mountain biking with Jake?” Despite Jenny’s protests that they would get bruised or potentially break a leg, Jake had insisted that for the day before the wedding, he had a guys’ day on the mountain trails. Jenny was still nervous about it, but Marissa was pretty sure a day at the spa would help her relax and forget about any stresses.

Marissa was also hoping it would help her.

“It should be a fun day.” Nick accepted the cup of coffee she handed him with a smile and a nod and leaned against the counter. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a mountain bike. I hope I remember how.”

“Something tells me, you’ll be just fine.”

“I’m sure I will be.” He winked at her and took a sip of his coffee. “And what are you doing later? Maybe we can catch up and...”

“And what?” She gave him a coy little smile, fully aware that she was flirting, and enjoying every second of it.

“And maybe have dinner?”

“Are you asking me out? Like on a date?” She held her breath and only a moment later blew it out and shook her head. “Never mind. I just remembered that it’s the rehearsal dinner tonight.”

“Really?”

She laughed. “Did you not read everything?”

“Seriously. There’s a lot to read. These two are intense.”

“They just know what they want, and there’s nothing wrong with that.” Marissa’s smile faded. “But I guess we’ll have to postpone that date.”

She turned away so he wouldn’t see how disappointed she must look, but he grabbed her arm and spun her around so she faced him. He grasped her by her upper arms and looked directly into her eyes. “We’ll find time.” He kissed her softly. “I promise.”

She believed him. They chatted easily while they finished their coffee and got ready for their days. “I’ll see you tonight at dinner,” she said as they left their suite together.

“I’m looking forward to it.” Nick gave her a kiss on the cheek this time, a move that felt very familiar and just right for that moment, because a second later, voices from down the hall interrupted them, and Nick moved a few steps away from her. She shot him a look of question, but he either didn’t notice or ignored her.

They were joined by Marissa’s mother and father and the moment for intimacy between them, or whatever it was that was happening, was gone as they all walked down to the lobby together. It wasn’t until later, when Marissa was alone with the women, that she realized she’d completely forgotten to talk to Nick about their past.

---

Nick was very much aware, as he was hurtling down the mountain trails on his bike, that he should be paying a lot more attention to the terrain. At the speeds they were going, any misplaced root or rock could mean a crash and a potentially broken bone or worse.

But knowing he should pay attention and actually doing so were two totally different things, because for the life of him, Nick could not concentrate on anything besides Missy and the kiss they’d shared the night before.

He knew he was playing with fire when it came to her, but he just couldn’t seem to stay away from her. The right thing to do the night before would have been to deliver her dinner and leave her alone. But he couldn’t do it. Especially not after stealing that kiss from her by the pond earlier.

No. There was no way he could stay away from her. Not again.

He’d backed off once, but that was because they’d been kids. Jake would have killed him if he’d gone after Missy, but things were different now.

At least he thought they were.

“Whoa! Slow down, man.” Jake yelled at him as he went flying by him on the trail, almost taking him out in the process.

Nick pressed hard on the brakes and came to a skidding stop in a flurry of dirt a few feet away.

“What the hell?” Jake demanded when Nick looked back up the trail to him. “Are you totally zoned out or what? You almost hit me.”

“Sorry.” Nick shook his head. “I was just lost in a thought, I guess.”

“A thought?” Jake got on his bike and rode down to stand beside him. “What the hell kind of thought had you so distracted that you almost killed me the day before my wedding?” He laughed and punched Nick in the shoulder.

“Women.” It wasn’t a complete lie.

“Ha. I knew it. Only the finer sex can distract you like that.” Jake swung his leg over his bike. “Let’s take a break here and sit on that rock.”

Nick nodded and followed his best friend off the trail to a little outcropping of rocks that looked out over the valley.

“This is pretty incredible,” Nick said as they sat down. “What a view and holy shit, you’re getting married tomorrow.”

“I am.” Jake laughed. “And I can’t wait. She’s the love of my life and I couldn’t be happier.”

“That’s good.” Nick nodded. “I’m really happy for you. Jenny’s great.”

“She is,” Jake agreed. “But you’re totally deflecting from the topic at hand.” He eyed Nick. “Who is the woman who has you so distracted you almost killed me?”

“I didn’t almost kill you.” Nick socked his buddy in the arm. “And I didn’t say it was a woman.”

“So women in general then?” Jake laughed. “Seriously, when are you going to settle down?”

“When I find the right one.” Or convince the right one to be with me, he thought, but didn’t say out loud.

“Are you telling me that you’ve never met someone you could picture yourself falling in love with? You must have met thousands of women traveling the way you do. Surely one of them must be the right one.”

Nick shrugged noncommittally. “Well, there was one. A long time ago.”

“Oh yeah?”

Nick nodded. “In high school.” He took a deep breath. He might as well get it over with and tell Jake that he was and always had been in love with his little sister. If anything was ever going to happen with Missy, really happen, he needed to do this. And they weren’t kids anymore. Jake shouldn’t have any reason to object to them being together and then finally he could tell Missy how he really felt. How he’d always felt. “There was a—”

“High school?” Jake interrupted him and burst into laughter. “No one knows how they feel in high school. Especially when it comes to love.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that—”

“And really, that’s a relief to hear,” Jake interrupted him again. “Because I’m not going to lie to you, buddy. There was a time when I was worried you might have a thing for my sister.”

Nick’s gut twisted. “Missy?”

“I know.” Jake shook his head. “It’s ridiculous, isn’t it? But it’s true. Especially senior year, and then freshman year of college, I totally thought you had a thing for Marissa. I was actually going to say something about it but then it seemed to go away.”

“Oh yeah? You were going to say something?”

“Totally.” Jake nodded. “Because there was no way I was going to let that happen. Not in any way.”

Nick thought he might be sick. “Really?”

“Hell no, Nick. You and Missy? That’s ridiculous! And so wrong. You’re practically related.”

“But we’re not.”

“You might as well be,” Jake continued, oblivious of the internal struggle going on with Nick. “Besides, it’s never a good idea to get involved with anyone you’re close to like that. Can you imagine what would have happened if you two dated?”

He could. They could have been insanely happy and have spent the last eight years building a life together. But he didn’t say anything.

“It would have ended in disaster and then this would all be destroyed.” Jake gestured between them. “It would have ruined everything.”

“Not necessarily.”

Jake turned and gave Nick a strange look. “Are you kidding me right now?”

“I’m not saying—”

“There’s no way, Nick. Sisters and friends are off-limits. Always have been. I’m just glad I didn’t have to kick your ass back then to make my point.” He slapped Nick on the back and grabbed his water bottle. “But that doesn’t change the fact that you still need a woman in your life. Did you meet Jenny’s cousins yet?”

Thankfully, the conversation veered away from Missy and Nick as Jake started touting the features of Jenny’s cousins, having obviously been prepped by Jenny herself. Nick wasn’t blind; there was definitely a set-up attempt being made. Not that he had eyes for anyone but Missy. Not even close.

But now that he knew how Jake really felt, how was he ever supposed to tell him about his feelings for Missy? Nick focused on the mountain range across from them and tried to collect his thoughts. If choosing Missy meant losing Jake, he wasn’t sure it was a choice he could make.

---

“This is going to feel amazing.” Marissa walked next to Jenny, each with towels wrapped around them, toward the hot pools. “There’s nothing like a good soak to prepare you for dressing up in a god-aw—” Marissa stopped herself before completely blowing it and insulting the bridesmaid dress Jenny had picked out.

“What were you going to say?”

They stepped closer to the edge and tossed their towels to a nearby chair. Their mothers and a few of Jenny’s cousins were already soaking, but besides a small wave in their direction, no one seemed to notice their presence.

“I was just going to say...” Marissa racked her brain for something that might sound believable. “That it’s nice to soak before getting dressed up.” It was a lame cover-up and they both knew it.

“In a god-awful dress?” There was a twinkle in her eyes that alerted Marissa. “Like your bridesmaid dress?”

“That’s not what I was trying to say, Jenny. Really, I...” Marissa’s face flushed and she tried desperately to dig herself out of the hole she’d found herself in, but Jenny was laughing. Marissa stopped, put a hand on her hip and stared at the other woman. “What’s going on?”

Jenny slipped into the water, still laughing. “Marissa, you don’t really think I’d make you wear that ugly dress, do you?”

She had thought that, but clearly that wasn’t the right answer. Marissa tilted her head in question and joined Jenny in the hot water. Instantly she felt more relaxed.

“It was Jake’s idea,” Jenny said. “He thought it would be funny to play a little trick on you with the dress.”

“So that’s not my dress?”

“Oh goodness, no!” Jenny laughed again. “Your dress will be delivered to your room this morning. It should fit perfectly. The seamstress at the shop was in on the joke.”

Marissa shook her head and laughed. “Jake just always has to be playing some kind of joke, even on his wedding.” She tipped her head back and let the warm water wash over her. “I don’t know what else you picked out, but I have to think it’s better than the fluffy thing I thought I was going to wear. And I would have worn it, too.”

“I know you would have,” Jenny said. “And that’s why I love you. You didn’t even question it. Thank you. You’ve really been amazing with this whole wedding. It really helps.”

“Anytime. I mean, not anytime. This will be the only time.” She laughed. “But anytime you need help with anything, I’m your girl.”

Jenny’s smile was warm and genuine and they both fell into an easy silence, enjoying the warm water for a few minutes.

“This was such a good idea.” Marissa sank deeper into the hot pool. “This water feels so good.”

“Isn’t it amazing?” Jenny sighed next to her. “I swear, it’s totally magical the way it works out your knots and stresses.”

Marissa sat up. “Don’t tell me you’re stressed? I know most brides get all worked up before their wedding, but you have everything so organized and taken care of. There’s no way you can be stressed.”

Jenny laughed and tipped her head back against the ledge. “You’d be surprised,” she said. “But I will say that having you and Nick around to take care of all the things you’ve been handling has been awesome. You two really are the best.”

Marissa closed her eyes again as she sat back into the water. Nick’s face immediately popped up in her mind. She smiled a little and agreed with Jenny. “He really is the best.”

“He?”

The woman must have had radar for the slight change in Marissa’s voice, because there was a splash and when Marissa opened her eyes again, Jenny stood directly in front of her, staring.

“What was that?”

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” Marissa tried to ignore her sister-in-law to-be, but even when she closed her eyes again, she could feel the other woman staring at her. Finally she gave up. Marissa sat up, ran her wet hands through her hair and scooted slightly away from Jenny.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about. What’s going on with Nick?”

“Nothing.” She wasn’t a great liar, but maybe if she stuck as closely to the truth as possible, she could get out of the conversation without actually telling Jenny anything. “We’re friends.”

“Friends?”

“We’ve always been friends,” she said. “Nick is like another brother to me. Growing up, it was like if you had one, you had both. Wherever one went, the other was there. Nick was always at our family dinners and holidays. Sometimes I had a hard time remembering that he even had another family.”

Sometimes. Then there were all the other times when Marissa would lay awake, fantasizing about Nick actually being part of her family because he was with her. Because they’d grown up and gotten married. The daydreams of a lovestruck little girl? Maybe. But damned if those same feelings hadn’t stuck around for all these years.

Marissa swallowed hard.

“But what about now?” Jenny pushed. “That was a long time ago. You’re adults now.”

“He’s still part of the family.” Marissa laughed in an attempt to sound casual, but judging by the look on Jenny’s face, she’d failed. “He is,” she said again, more serious. “Nick is and always has been part of the family.”

“But you have feelings for him.”

Marissa’s mouth opened and closed. Did this woman have some sort of psychic abilities? She glanced around at the other women soaking in the pool nearby. They were either lost in conversation of their own, or drifting into sleep, but no one paid any attention to Jenny and Marissa’s conversation.

A million options danced through her head. She could deny it. She could laugh it off or protest, but in the end, Marissa sighed and sank deeper into the hot, therapeutic waters. “You can’t say anything.”

“I knew it.” Jenny didn’t sound righteous, though. She only smiled sadly at Marissa. “But...”

“How do you know there’s a but?”

“Because if there wasn’t, we’d be celebrating you and Nick and your wedding too, don’t you think?”

Marissa almost choked. Wedding? That was a leap. A huge leap.

“I don’t think so,” she finally managed to say. “It was a long time ago.” She couldn’t be sure why she lied to Jenny, especially considering the door was wide open for her to tell the truth, but something stopped her. Suddenly, it just didn’t seem like a good idea to tell her the truth.

“What do you mean?”

Marissa laughed and looked away. “When I was a kid, I had a huge crush on Nick, but it was totally ridiculous and it was a long time ago.”

Jenny eyed her carefully, as if she didn’t quite believe her. “When you were a kid?”

“Well,” Marissa admitted, “a teenager. For a while there, I convinced myself that I was madly in love with Nick and that we were meant to be together.” She couldn’t help feel a pang in her chest as she spoke the words aloud. “But then I grew up and it passed.”

“It did?”

Marissa nodded. “It did.”

Jenny opened her mouth to say something, but then obviously changed her mind and closed it again.

“Like I said, it was a long time ago. Nick Slater is just a friend.”

“Nick Slater?” Jenny’s cousin Audrey appeared beside them. “He’s so hot, don’t you think?”

Marissa shrugged and tried her best to swallow the jealousy that threatened to bubble over.

“Jenny told me he was single.”

Audrey looked at Marissa, as she needed her clarification, so finally Marissa said, “As far as I know.”

“Good.” The other woman licked her lips. “I’m totally going to go after that.”

“Go after that?”

“Totally. He’s single—I’m single. It’s a wedding. And everyone knows what happens at weddings.”

Marissa was pretty sure she didn’t want to know, but she couldn’t help but ask, “And what’s that?”

“Love connections, obviously.”

“Obviously.” Marissa’s voice sounded numb and far away even to her own ears.

“I may have encouraged Audrey when it comes to Nick,” Jenny said next to her. “After all, they are both single. But then, after the other day, I wasn’t sure it was a good idea anymore.”

“What?”

“Why?”

Marissa and Audrey spoke at the same time.

“Why wouldn’t you think it was a good idea?” Marissa asked.

“I don’t know.” Jenny stretched her arms over her head and rolled her neck. “But when I saw you guys together, I just thought that maybe...but I guess it’s nothing. I was wrong.”

“What did you think?” Marissa’s stomach flipped a little.

“I must have just seen the connection that you guys had from years ago,” Jenny continued. “Because if you say there’s nothing between you two, then I believe you.”

She couldn’t see Jenny’s face, but something told Marissa that her sister-in-law to-be did not believe her.

“And I guess there’s nothing stopping Audrey from going after that.”

“Ha!” Audrey did a shimmy in the water. “You better believe it.”

The conversation around her faded away from any mention of Nick as Jenny’s cousins grilled her on plans for the honeymoon. Soon, their mothers joined in and moments later, they were all whisked away by the spa staff for their various treatments.

Marissa was scheduled for a massage, but despite the masseuse’s best attempts, she simply couldn’t relax. Her thoughts were consumed with Nick and Jenny’s cousin and what had stopped her from telling Jenny the truth.