Lakeside Love (A Mill Creek Crossing Romance) by Angelina Rose Page A

for so many years in his business. Never had she imagined anything was going on between the two of them since Rebecca seemed happily married. How could Max do this to her on the day of her wedding? They been together for so many years, and she found it astounding that he thought nothing of hurting her so brutally on their wedding day.

     Her first emotion was she wanted to reach for something and throw it, but she didn't want to risk hitting Callie in the head. As the tears rolled down her cheeks, she stood up and stared out the window at all of her one hundred guests sitting in their chairs patiently waiting for a bride and groom that wouldn't be coming.
     
         “Callie,, how do you know he isn't coming?” she asked.

     “Because I texted him. When he didn't show up on time, we started to get worried. He texted me back and told me he left you this note on the front seat of your car. I've already read it,” Callie said handing the letter to Erica. Erica reached out to take it with her hand shaking. She knew that there was no going back after she read the letter.
     
    Dear Erica,
     
    I’m so sorry, baby. I really am. We’ve been together for so long, and I just didn’t know how to tell you I can’t marry you. The truth is I am in love with Rebecca and have been for the last six months. She finally decided to leave her marriage last week, and I had to make a decision.
     
    I know you would want me to be happy just like I want you to be happy. You may never speak to me again, but please know that I loved you very much. It’s just that Rebecca is my true love, and I couldn’t continue this charade by marrying you. It wouldn’t have been fair to either of us.
     
    Rebecca and I are going out of town for a few weeks, so please gather your things from our apartment in that time. I’m so sorry. I hope you will forgive me one day.
     
    Max
     
    Erica slammed the letter on the table and screamed. Callie knelt down beside her and took her hands as Erica finally broke down. Her tears left trails across the front of her dress as she sobbed into Callie’s shoulder.
     
    “I am so sorry, Erica…” Callie said with some tears of her own. “I know how bad you wanted this. He isn’t worth it. He’s a first rate jackass to do this to you.”
     
    “What do I do now? How do I move on? I have a hundred people sitting out there under the afternoon sun waiting for a wedding that isn’t happening. I am so embarrassed. Who gets left at the altar these days?” she sobbed.
     
    “Don’t you worry, honey. I will take care of everything, okay? I will go out there and make sure everyone knows what a lying cheat Max is, including his family who is sitting out there waiting…” Callie started.
     
    “No… no. I will do it. This will be my first step to starting over. I have to face the music,” she said standing up and walking out of the bride’s room. As she pushed the door leading outside, the band started to play “Here Comes The Bride” and the whole group stood up to watch her walk down the aisle. Only she was alone. Her father was standing there waiting to walk her down the aisle, but she held up her hand to keep him back. Callie whispered in his ear, and he followed Erica as she walked down the aisle alone.
     
    She could see Max’s parents, who would want to kill their son when they found out what he’d done. She could see her uncle, grandmother and aunt Bertha who was big enough to sit on Max and kill him. Maybe she’d ask her for that favor.
     
    Then there were five of her sorority sisters, her hairdresser, a few people from Max’s office and various cousins and old friends peppered throughout the crowd. All of them were in for a shock when she shared her news.
     
    Callie ran in front of Erica and cut her hand across her neck to let the band know to stop playing the music. Tears rolling down her cheeks, Erica stopped in the middle of the aisle, unable to force herself to step under the