Meant to Marry Me: Nashville Country Dreams Part 1 novel Chapter 45

How many times had he listened to Bree play that song over the years? More times than Trent could count. This performance had to be the most beautiful of all, and it had taken everything he had within him to keep from letting the tears stinging the back of his eyes make their way through the stone facade he’d built around himself.

What was he doing? How could he stand there and pretend like marrying Monica was a good idea? It was all wrong--all a sham. But walking away would be difficult, too. They had so much time invested in each other… He was in a horrible position, and he wished he’d never let it come to this. He glanced down at her finger, at that ring, the one she’d picked out herself, the one he’d never even used to propose to her. How had it gotten on her finger?

He went through the motions and finished the rehearsal, but when it got to the end, and the pastor said he could kiss the bride, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He just stared at Monica. How many times had he kissed her? At least a million, surely. But now… he couldn’t imagine pressing his lips to hers.

Monica could read his expression. Ever one to save face, she said, “We can’t kiss now! It’ll jinx it for tomorrow.”

That got a giggle out of everyone, except for Trent. He wasn’t in a laughing mood. He was grateful he wasn’t going to have to kiss her in front of everyone, though. Even offering his arm to her was hard. Monica looped hers through his, and he led her to the back of the church.

The pastor met them there a few moments later and went over where the receiving line would be, where they’d go next. The photographer came over and spoke to them about how to handle the pictures, where to wait for the announcement of the happy couple at the reception, all a blur of information Trent didn’t process. He hoped Monica had been paying attention--if it even happened. Was he going to go through with this?