Peaceandrucas this is for you. You gave me idea for this story, I hope I gave it justice.

So my lovely readers send me story ideas and you might just see it posted. Enjoy reading.

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Chapter 1

Riley Matthews checked her watch. Timing was perfect. With a quiet glow of satisfaction, she smiled at the bride nervously waiting. She reached out and twitched the gown into a perfect fold. The train was spread out behind, the lace and beading shimmered in the light.

The father of the bride cleared his throat. "Time?" he asked.

"In just a moment the organ will begin the wedding march, that'll be your cue," she said easily. After three years of managing weddings big and small, she was confident in all the plans made for this particular one.

Sarah Carpenter was radiant. Riley felt a pang, as she did at almost every wedding. She'd once dreamed of a lavish wedding, complete with bridal gown, a half dozen bridesmaids and a celebration reception with family and friends that went on forever. But she's never going to have that, so she did her best to give a perfect day to every one of her clients.

The organist shifted from the music she'd played for the bridesmaids' entry to Lohengren's Wedding March. The familiar chords filled St. Patrick Cathedral resounding loud enough to be heard outside by tourists and New Yorkers alike. Riley smiled in reassurance.

"I'll meet you right here after the ceremony," she assured Sarah. "We'll take photos at the altar and then head for the reception."

As the bride began her walk down the long aisle of the old cathedral, Riley watched from the door. The huge church was almost filled to capacity. Harry Carpenter was a City Councilman, a patron of the opera and from old money. His only daughter was marrying a man he deemed worthy of her, so he had pulled out all stops.

Riley's gaze moved to the groom. His eyes were for Sarah only. She smiled again. This was going to be perfect. Her gaze drifted around the standing congregation. One man, near the front on the groom's side, stood taller than the people surrounding him. He turned his head and his gaze locked with hers. For a moment Riley's heart stopped. It couldn't be! She felt the church spin around her. It was a coincidence, someone who looked like him. He couldn't be here. He's in Texas expanding their family ranch and making millions in the process.

She almost marched down the aisle to him, but reason took hold. Then, with a wink, he turned to face the front.

Riley forgot about the myriad details still remaining to ensure the wedding and reception progressed flawlessly. Her breath hitched. What on earth could he be doing here?

She'd often dreamed of running into him again. Sometimes she slapped him so hard his head snapped back. Other times, she pretended she hadn't a clue who he was, and when reminded, feigned difficulty in remembering. Once in a while, she let herself fantasize his return was because he couldn't live without her. But that was so far from reality she rarely let herself indulge in that particularly fantasy.

Riley backed into the antechamber, wishing she could deny what she'd seen. There was no way the man she loved with all her heart for years and abandoned her would show up out of the blue now.

…

Two hours later Riley wanted to scream. She was operating on two levels — one the competent wedding consultant, making sure everything went perfectly for her client. The other, a frustrated woman who couldn't stop thinking about her ex.

The crowd at the Yacht Club made it impossible to pause even for a moment to search out any one particular person. Still, even as she kept an eye on the celebration, she searched each dark–blond man who came into her line of sight. If he had been at the church, he was sure to be at the reception.

Then it happened. For another endless moment, Riley locked eyes with Lucas Friar, her ex she had not seen in years. Not seen, not heard from, tried to forget. The activity surrounding her faded, it was as if she and Lucas were alone in the universe.

Reality returned when Riley's assistant nudged her.

"The music will be starting soon, and the dancing. Should we do anything to hurry them along in eating?"

The spell broken, Riley dragged her eyes away and looked at Tara. "No, the music will automatically have them finishing. After a few dances, we'll have the bridal couple cut the cake."

She wanted to look around. Wanted to see what Lucas was doing. Was he coming to speak to her? Or had he slipped out of a side door, not wanting a confrontation?

"Then the older crowd can feel free to leave," Tara said wisely. Riley nodded, her throat tight with tension. Every cell was attuned to Lucas. She couldn't be focused on him, she needed to concentrate on the tasks at hand.

"You look as if you need a drink," a deep, once familiar voice said. Lucas Friar stood next to her, holding out a glass of champagne.

Tara smiled brightly and slipped away. Riley wanted to call her back, but her voice wouldn't work. She stared at the champagne.

"I'm working, I don't drink when I'm on a job," she said stiffly. She couldn't bring herself to look up into the emerald eyes she knew she'd recognize. The scenarios she'd so often pictured faded. The reality was she didn't have a word to say to him. Her heart fluttered, memories crowded painfully in her mind. Of the love she'd once felt for him, the awe that Mr. Perfect had noticed her. Their final words yelled in anger.

"How have you been, Riley?" he asked. He took a sip of the sparkling beverage.

Her eyes tracked the glass, watched his lips caress the edge as he drank. Lips that had once brought her to ecstasy. And shattered her world when they spoke goodbye.

"Just fine," she said, glancing around, wishing desperately Maya was here to rescue her, or that she'd find the strength to walk away. She didn't want to be within a mile of Lucas and his seductive lips, his bedroom eyes, his overwhelming sexy magnetism. But her feet felt rooted. Seven years had passed. Hadn't she built up any resistance? She did not love him. She didn't even like him. But she couldn't walk away.

That was his way, not hers.

"Lucas, here you are. Martin's been looking for you." The beautiful blond bridesmaid came up and took his arm. She smiled at Riley. "It's a fabulous wedding. When I get married, I want you to be the consultant!" She turned back to Lucas. "Come on, Martin and Sarah are ready for the toasts, and you're elected to give one."

Lucas looked at Riley. "I'll call you."

"Don't bother."

"It's no bother." Without warning, he leaned over and kissed her.