Sarah Carmichael-Bull had always believed to be open-minded and optimistic, a glass half full kind of person –or, like her brother, Jason, liked to say, happy-go-lucky. She guessed she had simply not lived long enough, because now, at age 18, she knew the ugly truth. There was something she couldn't stand… and that thing was weddings.

She didn't know what exactly the problem was: it was Jason's wedding, after all, and Jason was her favorite person in the world. A good fifteen years older than her, Jason wasn't really her brother. He wasn't even her half-brother. Sarah's mother had married into the Bull household when her daughter was just a toddler, and even if the kid had always known the truth, no one had cared. Jason Sr. was dad, and Jason was a perfect older brother who loved her like crazy.

And the bride? She didn't even want to start with the bride. Isabella was just… she was a Disney Princess, there was just no denying it. The same age as Jason, she already had her own company… a Puerto Rican beauty, she was rich, sophisticated, with perfect manners and even more perfect clothes. And, on top of that, she was actually nice (even if she had acted a little too shocked when she had met her future sister in law for the first time, discovering how much of a tomboy Sarah actually was).

She was so nice that she had practically forced Sarah to be one of her bridesmaid. And that was what Sarah hated, with a passion.

She was a tomboy, she knew, and it had never been a problem. She was studying architecture, after all, and to design a building you didn't need to be a delicate creature, nor wearing flowery fabrics or ruffles. She didn't even care if the only reason boys talked with her was to get her to help them with their homework. She liked studying, and she just wanted to have good grades and get the scholarship she wanted. She liked old jeans and sneakers, and as hairstyles went, a ponytail was good enough.

But… it was Jason's wedding. And she was one of Isabella's bridesmaids. And bridesmaids weren't usually allowed jeans, sneakers and old sweaters.

Biting her lips, Sarah did her best to be just a wallflower. She was uncomfortable with the lilac cocktail dress, even if it wasn't an outrageous number, and the heels weren't helping either. Besides, was she supposed to actually feel the weight of the make-up and of the hairdo that Isabella had inflicted her?

"Ehy! Here she is, my favorite sister in the whole wide world!" Sarah sighed when her brother's voice reached her. She groaned, hating how spectacular Jason always had to be – she was his only sister after all, so of course she would be his favorite one.

When she turned to meet her brother, Sarah discovered he wasn't alone. But, contrary to all of her hopes, he wasn't with Isabella. It was much, much, much worse: Jason was with his best friend, Benjamin "Benny" Colón – who also happened to be Isabella's younger brother… and Sarah's secret crush from a long, long time. If it was a crush: Sarah had never truly been in love before, but she guessed that it would get pretty close. Besides, Benny wasn't like the guys she usually hanged out with. He was a real man. He was an adult – he was wrapping up law school, and he had already lined up a job at the D.A. Office.

He was even more handsome than what Sarah remembered – he had cut his hair a bit, and he was wearing a three piece suit, completed with a tie and an handkerchief in the same tone of lilac as the bridesmaids' dresses.

She really hoped that Jason hadn't hoped to be the most handsome man at his own wedding, because he was way out of Benny's league.

"Ehy, kiddo." Benny nodded in her direction, looking at her in the same way Jason did. Sarah would have sighed, had she been alone. She knew she wasn't the perfect picture of femininity, but couldn't he act like she could be, at least, a female friend? But no, she had to always be everyone's little sister.

Served her right for being such a tomboy.

"Benny," Jason put an hand on Benny's shoulder, the other on his sister's forearm. "Isi has finished her dance with your dad. Do you mind dancing with Sarah?"

"Sure." Benny sighed, rolling his eyes as soon as Jason gave him his back, infuriating Sarah. He was saying that he didn't mind, but his eyes were already scanning the room, looking for a potential target – probably an easy lay, or a one night stand, or maybe even a girlfriend. Sarah wasn't an idiot, she was starting to be unnerved with the Law School student: Benny could have at least pretended to be interested in dancing with her, even just to humor Jason.

She bit her lips, blushing a little, like any other time she had shared even half a word with Benny. "You know, you don't really have to dance with me if you don't want to…"

Her eyes fell on the center of the dancefloor, where Jason and Isabella were sharing their first dance as husband and wife. It was perfect, Isabella looked even more stunning than usual in her wedding gown, and Jason was looking at her like she was the only thing in the world, like she was some kind of treasure. Sarah felt a stab of envy, so strong it was almost a physical reaction that made her sick. Just for once, she would have done everything, she would have given up on all of her dreams, to have someone looking at her like that just once.

"Care to join them?" She wasn't expecting Benny to actually follow up on her brother's suggestion, and yet here he was. He was smiling down at her with gentle eyes, and his voice had sounded almost… sincere. Sarah blushed, and simply nodded, as she put her small, pale hand into his big, warm and olive one. Careful, as if he was to break her, he guided her close to their siblings.

"Here, let me." Benny smiled at her, and Sarah felt butterflies in her stomach. She wanted to say something – do something- but she was at loss of words. The older man delicately helped Sarah get in position – her right hand in his left, her left on his shoulder, his right on her hip – and when the music started yet again, he swayed the brunette in his arms, with such an ease that she felt like a butterfly.

"Look in front of you, not at your feet. Or maybe…" Benny chuckled, whispering in her ear. "You could try looking at me?"

Sarah nodded, forcing herself to lift her gaze and meet Benny's eyes. There was little more than blushing that she could do. She didn't even know what to say, for her mind was in turmoil, all her thoughts concentrated on those inches of skin that Benny was touching, burning underneath his fingertips.

"Good girl." They kept dancing in the crowd, their eyes falling, every now and then, on the happy couple, on Isabella's glassy eyes and on Jason's dreamy expression.

"You know," Benny suddenly said, breaking the charm that had fallen over Sarah. "I get why they say that my sister is a guru – she really outdid herself with you. Of course, the raw material wasn't bad, but I have to tell you, Sarah – all the boys' eyes are you this evening."

Sarah's heart clenched painfully, and broke in a million of pieces: she didn't want empty flattery, or the eyes of the "boys" upon herself. What she wanted – what she truly craved – was the eyes of just one man.

She wanted Benny, like she had never wanted anything - anyone – in her whole life, and she wanted for him to truly mean those words that had just escaped those painfully perfect lips..

A naked flame of pride suddenly burned up in her heart, bright and strong line never before. Sarah stood tall, and closed her eyes as she got closer to the man right before her. She could have sworn their lips were already touching when Benny took a step back, abruptly, and she opened her eyes.

"Whoa, Sarah, did you… think I was gonna kiss you?" He half-asked, half-stated, as he chuckled, shamelessly.

Sara swallowed, hard, and felt only one emotion – shame. She hoped that no one had seen what had happened between the two of them: her mind went to Isabella. She liked her new sister in law, she really did. She was nice with everyone, Sarah included, and was good for and with Jason, like no other girl before her. She didn't want to ruin things. Make them awkward for no one.

"Listen, why don't you go and hang out with kids your age? I'm sure they'll be more than happy to kiss a cute girl like you. Because, Sarah, I promise you…" he whispered in her ear, with a voice laced with… venom and mockery. "You'll never get any kisses from me tonight."

As she watched Benny leaving her and joining a sexy Asian girl, just to hug and kiss her, Sarah felt small… and boring and stupid. She had really thought that Benny could find her cute. Could like her – could want her to be… something for him. But she had been wrong. For she was just a kid in his eyes. Just his best friend's sister. His sister's sister in law. Nothing more.

Maybe something less. But nothing more.