“TEN TIMES,” Brenna whispered to her. Karma glanced at her friend over her shoulder, confused. Brenna was behind her, adjusting her gown. Today was the bridesmaids’ and groomsmen’s dress fitting, as well as the maid of honor’s and best man’s. And speaking of the best man, Leo had been assigned that role.
“Huh? What are you talking about?” she asked her friend.
“I’ve been seeing him staring at you all this time,” Brenna whispered again. “I’ve caught him ten times already.” Karma knew exactly who she meant. Before she could stop herself, she turned toward where Leo was. Her heart jumped when she caught him looking at her.
Wait. Why was she the one getting nervous when she was the one who caught him in the act? She frowned at him. Leo blinked, surprise flashing across his face at her frown. Did he think she would smile at him?
“There, all done.” She looked away from the young man when she heard Brenna’s voice again. She faced the mirror and smiled at her reflection. The purple dress wasn’t that bad for a bridesmaid’s gown.
“Ehem.” Brenna cleared her throat dramatically, and Karma glanced at her reflection in the mirror. She didn’t speak, but Karma knew exactly the message her eyes were sending.
She secretly cursed under her breath and, out of habit, glanced back at Leo. Why couldn’t she stop herself? She wished she were wearing a neck brace so she wouldn’t be able to turn her head so easily.
“He’s still staring at you,” Brenna stated the obvious. She didn’t really need to say it, Karma and Leo’s eyes had already met. But before that, she had caught him taking in her whole appearance. Karma’s cheeks instantly turned red, which was ridiculous to begin with. She was annoyed that his gaze still affected her, despite everything.
“Best man? Your turn.” When his name was called, she looked away. She focused on herself in the mirror. From the corner of her eye, she saw him follow the wedding organizer. She didn’t want to read too much into his stares—maybe he was just surprised at her appearance, especially now that her hair was shorter than before.
“Guard your heart, sister,” Brenna whispered.
Her eyebrows met in the mirror. “What do you mean, Brenn?”
“Leo’s really staring at you, Karm. We’re not stupid; we know what—”
“I’m not going to read into his stares, Brenn. Maybe he’s just surprised by how I look.” She cut her off. “I don’t look like the same woman he knew three years ago. I mean, physically, a lot has changed. Or maybe he’s trying to figure out if I’m really his ex-girlfriend and not a doppelganger.” She tried to make a joke to lighten the mood—but failed.
“Oh, come on, Karm. Didn’t you see the longing in his eyes?”
She shook her head, meeting Brenna’s eyebrows again. “I don’t think so. Maybe you’re imagining it.” Her friend smirked, one eyebrow raised. Karma rolled her eyes. She was about to speak again when the door that Leo had entered through earlier opened, and he stepped out. Her jaw dropped. He was wearing a black tuxedo, and for a moment, Karma forgot how to breathe.
“Wow, the best man is handsome,” she heard another bridesmaid say nearby.
“Yeah, he really is,” another agreed.
As if he knew every woman in the room was looking at him, he scanned the room. Their eyes met again. Karma blinked and quickly looked away, pretending to adjust her gown strap. From the mirror, she saw Brenna move aside. She was about to speak when she caught Leo’s reflection next to her. Her eyes widened automatically. Her throat went dry. She stayed staring at him in the mirror while he adjusted his necktie.
Of course, she thought secretly. The reason he had moved closer to the mirror was just to see his reflection. So calm down, heart!
She swallowed and slowly exhaled. She looked at herself in the mirror again. Satisfied with her gown, she had no reason to linger. She lifted her chin, preparing to turn away. But something urged her to look again. And she did. She caught him staring at her through the mirror. The view in front of her wasn’t just him—it was both of them: he in a tuxedo, she in a bridesmaid’s gown that could almost pass for a wedding dress, if not for the color and length. She suddenly imagined the two of them at the altar in a church. Her whole body trembled. She was annoyed at the image that had popped into her mind. Worse, it seemed Leo could somehow sense it—his eyebrows met as he continued staring at her.
Biting her lower lip, she stepped down from the platform, away from the mirror and Leo. The man seemed scorching. She hurried back to the room to take off the gown. When she got there, she let out a deep sigh. Her hand went to her chest—her heart was pounding as if she had just run a marathon. And all it took for it to beat like that was Leo being near.
Oh, God. Why am I still feeling this way? she thought.