She smiled stiffly in response and gripped his arm tighter as they stood outside the ballroom doors of Ethan Parker’s waterfront mansion, waiting for their turn. The rest of the wedding party had already taken their places, leaving them and the bride. “I’ve got you,” he whispered, patting her hand on his arm. She dug her fingernails into his tux jacket—any deeper and she’d be drawing blood. He felt horribly inadequate and clueless as to what to do to help her. “I know.” “You’re beautiful.” He spoke with absolute sincerity. “Thank you.” Cedric sighed, feeling as if he were making small talk with a stranger. Bella leaned into him as they walked down the makeshift aisle between the tables. The entire place looked like a winter wonderland. Bella wobbled on her heels, and Cedric gripped her waist. Most of the guests probably assumed Bella was either drunk or had imbibed in a joint with her father, Rock Maxwell, before the ceremony. Cedric knew she’d done neither.
