“Stupid hormones.” Mia fanned her face, but her eyes misted over anyway.

Faith’s cheeks actually ached from smiling so much, not that she planned on stopping. “It’s okay to cry at weddings. Everyone does. Besides, look at them.”

Jake and Lacey danced with their foreheads together, grinning like fools in love.

“I still think it’s the hormones. I hope the whole damn pregnancy isn’t like this.”

Cole laughed and draped his arm around her shoulders. “I love you. And I’ll buy stock in tissues.”

Faith sipped her champagne, throat tight with her own tears. She was so happy for her friends and so brokenhearted for herself. The onslaught of emotion was like a hurricane. Alec hadn’t actually said when he’d be leaving, but she knew it would be soon. He’d been pensive all week. Contemplative and quiet—not quite broody enough to distance himself, but the shift was obvious.

Their time was almost up.

The first dance ended and everyone cheered. The band started an upbeat song, a country tune she didn’t recognize, and it had Ginny bouncing on her toes.

“Can I dance now? Can I?”

Mia grinned. “You go ahead, pretty girl. We’ll be right there.”

“Faith, come on!”

Faith turned in her seat to look at Alec.

He nodded. A faint smile tilted his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

Faith followed Ginny to the makeshift dance floor, set on the beach between the tent and the bar, and laughed when Lacey threw her hands in the air. The two of them, ridiculous and carefree, encouraged her to be the same. Why not? Fun was fun.

Faith raised her hands and bounced around, bobbing her head to mimic them. It was exhausting and liberating. She laughed so hard her stomach ached. They made it through three songs before the music changed and she needed a rest.

But when she went to head over to the table, Alec and Jake were seated side by side. Alec’s gaze was on the table and Jake’s brows were drawn together. Jake waved his hand and dropped it midsentence. Alec shook his head.

Faith took a step back and turned away to give them a moment. Alec’s father was right behind her.

“Would you care to dance?”

“Oh.” She reached for her pendant, but it wasn’t there. Instead was the pearl-drop necklace Lacey had given the bridesmaids. “Yes. Thank you.”

He took one of her hands loosely in his and circled her waist with the other. “Nice wedding.” He had a deep, rumbling voice like Alec’s, but humor in his eyes like Jake.

She didn’t know how to dance formally, so she followed his lead and prayed she didn’t cause damage. “Everything came out perfect.”

He nodded and stared over her shoulder. “I want to apologize for what happened at the house—”

“There’s no need. Sometimes things just need to get hashed out.”

He seemed to contemplate what she said before responding. “I’m a traditional man. I tried to raise my sons that way, too. I don’t always say the right thing. In fact, most times I don’t, but you didn’t need to be put in the middle.” They moved a few steps as he cleared his throat. “I was angry with Alec’s choices, still am, but it’s his life and I love him. Sometimes, I just don’t know how to express that, and I say things that make it worse.”

It didn’t seem like an excuse, but more an explanation. His father was embarrassed, both for himself and his son.

“The thing with anger, I’ve learned, is it only hurts yourself. You raised two wonderful sons. Both strong in character and heart. Be a little proud of yourself.”

He misstepped and paused. But the song ended and another cued to start. He dropped his hands and nodded. “I wouldn’t be upset if we saw more of you, Miss Armstrong.”

“Call me Faith, and I’d like that.”

As he backed away, she let out a silent exhale and was about to check on Alec when Jake took her elbow.

“Dance with the happy groom?”

Why was she so popular tonight? Any other time she’d be glad to accommodate, but she just wanted to spend some time with the man she loved before he was gone. And something told her that would be sooner than expected. But manners were manners, and this was Jake’s night.

He set them in motion. “I can see why he likes you.”

She blinked up at him, her stomach doing a little flop. She knew Jake was talking about Alec, but couldn’t think of anything worth saying.

“You have this way of looking at people that makes them want to spill their secrets. What secrets did my dad tell? He doesn’t hold his tongue very well, but we love him.”

She opened her mouth and closed it again. “It wouldn’t be a secret if I told you.”

He laughed in way completely unlike Alec. Hearty, but just as addictive. “Touché. Dad’s a man of too many words, and Alec not enough. Well, except on paper, that is. You got Alec talking and my dad to shut up. I’ve been trying for years to accomplish what you did in a couple months.”

Tears pricked her eyes. She blinked rapidly and glanced away. Alec was standing by the bar with his father. His dad’s arm was draped over Alec’s shoulder and they were both grinning, involved in some story with a cluster of Alec’s cousins. Her heart sighed.

“For what it’s worth, Faith, I’m sorry he’s going to hurt you. He doesn’t mean to do it, but he knows no other way.”

Darn it. More tears. Maybe Mia’s hormones were contagious. “Thank you.”

They finished out the song in silence, and she’d never been so grateful to be alone. Taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, she walked to the surf and downed it in two gulps. Her stomach heated but her nerves remained frayed. Closing her eyes, she breathed in the salty air and let the sound of the music and the waves calm her.

“I see my family has driven you to drink. In solitude, no less.”

Despite the tightness in her throat, she smiled. “You have a beautiful family.”

Alec studied her for a moment before glancing out to sea. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he rocked on his heels.

“You’re leaving tomorrow, aren’t you?”

He glanced down, nodding.

Though Faith had known it was coming, it did little to prepare her for the pain tearing through her chest. No other hurt could compare. “Then take me home. Please.”

He brooked no argument, just held out his hand for her to take.

The house was quiet and dark, like her mood, so she didn’t bother to turn on any lights as they made their way to her bedroom. The moon illuminated a portion of the bed and floor, creating slats of light. Not knowing what else to do, she sat on the edge of the mattress and stared at her hands.

He walked over and stood in front of her, hands in his pockets as if afraid to touch. “Would it be easier on you if I left and went back to the guesthouse?”

She shook her head. Nothing would make this easier. She fortified what little courage she had left. “There’s something I want to tell you.”

He looked down at her expectantly.

It took everything she had in her to meet his gaze. “I love you.”

Though he hadn’t been moving, he froze. Seconds ticked by. And then his hands were out of his pockets and scrubbing his face. “Faith.” He shook his head and paced away. Came back. “No, Faith.”

She rose and held her ground. “I love you.”

His gaze flew to the ceiling and back to her, pleading. “Christ. Don’t do this. What am I supposed to do here? To say?”

Taking a steadying breath, she grabbed his hands. “There is nothing you need to do or say. Love is a gift, one I knew little about before you, and like any other gift, all you have to do is accept it. It doesn’t need to be returned.”

His jaw clenched, but other than that, all he did was stare through wild, vulnerable gray-blue eyes.

Finally, when she thought she couldn’t take any more, he cupped the back of her neck and hauled her against him. One arm banded around her back, the other held the back of her head. His body shook as she pressed her face to his chest.