Chapter 4

Will stood alone as he surveyed the guests in Nora's living room. All of Llanview's finest were present for the ceremony. Detective John McBain stood with his girlfriend, hotshot lawyer, Evangeline Williamson, his younger brother, Dr. Michael McBain, his girlfriend, Marcie Walsh, and Antonio Vega. Riley Colson, Daniel's son, sat talking and joking around, with Nora's son, Matthew Rappaport. He had to admit he felt slightly jealous that the two were so close. Even though it turned out that Bo Buchanan was his father and not Sam, Will still considered Matthew his younger brother.

Will looked down at his watch. There was still time to kill before the service. Will glanced over at the door just in time to see Jessica waltz through the door. As soon as he laid eyes on her, he couldn't take them away. God, she was beautiful. He noticed her necklace. Could it be? Yes, it was. The star pendent he'd given her hung around her neck. Maybe this was his night after all.

"I'd stop staring if I were you before Antonio comes over here and kicks your butt," a pair of arms wrapped around his waist.

Will turned his head to find his sister, Jennifer Rappaport, standing behind him.

"You like her, don't you?" Jen asked.

"Yeah, I do," Will replied, allowing his eyes to travel back to Jessica.

"Then make your move," Jen told him. "Tonight's the night for romance."

Will let out a heavy sigh. "I don't know if I can."

Jen turned him so he was facing her. "You can't let what happened rule your life. You care deeply for Jessica. Tell her how you feel."

"You're right," Will said with a sudden burst of confidence.

He turned back around to find Jessica standing with Antonio, who had his arm around her waist. Will felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach.

"I guess she found her way back to him," he murmured.

Jen put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Then she lost the most amazing guy in the world."

Will looked away, the image too painful for his eyes.

Jessica started to feel awkward with Antonio's arm against her waist. She had planned to avoid him the whole night, but he'd seen her come in. He went up to her, told her he wanted her. Antonio didn't give her a chance to respond before pulling over to his group. Now, she was stuck there with him. For some reason, he couldn't keep his hands off of her.

Jessica pretended to be interested as she secretly panned the room for Will. She wanted him to come and rescue her from Antonio. She wanted to hold him breathe in her scent. She craved the taste of his lips when he kissed her.

"Jessica," Jessica snapped back into reality at the sound of Marcie's voice.

"What?" she asked.

"Your necklace. It's really pretty," Marcie told her. "Where did you get it?"

Jessica fingered to delicate star. "It was a gift from someone very special," She replied in a soft whisper.

Jessica's eyes drifted across the room. Finally, she saw Will standing with his sister. She thought he was the hottest guy in the entire room. He carried himself perfectly in his all black suit.

Then, Jessica watched as Will stared back at her with the face of a wounded animal. She hated seeing him in pain. He believed she was with Antonio. Jessica longed for Will as he turned away from her.

Will had to know. He had to know how she really felt. Jessica was in love and she wanted him bad. Just as she was about to make her move, Daniel Colson came out.

"Everybody, please take your seats."

Jessica sighed and stole one final glance at Will. She would have to wait until the service was over.