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he’d ever wanted—warm, vibrant, alive, and standing so close that all he had to do was reach out and touch her. He felt like a blind man who had miraculously and unexpectedly been gifted with sight. Maggie needed him. Charleston, with all its painful memories, lay on the other side of the world.
    “Dearly beloved, we are called here today to witness the vows between Janelle and Stephen.”
    The rush of emotion that assaulted Maggie was unlike anything she’d ever known. She couldn’t keep her eyes off Glenn, who seemed to magnetically compel her gaze to meet his. Their eyes locked and held as the pastor continued speaking. There was no exchange of smiles, no winks, nothing cute or frivolous, but a solemn mood that made that instant, that moment, the most monumental of their lives. Maggie felt a breathless urgency come over her, and an emotion so powerful, so real, that it brought brimming tears that filled her vision. In order to keep her makeup from streaking, she held one finger under each eye a hand at a time and took in several deep breaths to forestall the ready flow. The void, the emptiness in her life, wasn’t entirely due to her money. What she needed was someone to love and who would love her. Desperately, Maggie realized how much she wanted to be needed. Several seconds passed before she regained her composure. The tightening lessened in her chest, and she breathed freely once again.
    When the pastor asked Steve and Janelle to repeat their vows, Maggie’s gaze was again drawn to Glenn’s. He didn’t speak, nor did Maggie, but together, in unison, each syllable, each word, was repeated in their hearts as they issued the same vows as their friends. When the pastor pronounced them man and wife, Maggie raised stricken eyes to the man of God who had uttered the words, needing the reassurance about whom he had meant. It was as if he had been speaking to Glenn and her, as well, and as if the formal pronouncement included them.
    The organ burst into the traditional wedding march, and Steve and Janelle turned to face the congregation, their faces radiant with happiness. As the newly wedded couple moved down the aisle, Glenn’s arm reached for Maggie’s, prepared to escort her. At the touch of his hand at her elbow, Maggie felt a series of indescribable sensations race through her: wonder, surprise, joy. Their eyes met, and for the first time that day, he smiled. An incredible, dazzling smile that all but blinded her. Their march down the aisle, her arm on his elbow, added to the growing feeling that that day, that moment, was meant for them as well.
    Family and friends gathered outside the church doors, spilling onto the steps, giving hearty applause as Steve turned Janelle into his arms and kissed her. A festive mood reigned as Janelle was joyously hugged and Steve’s hand was pumped countless times. The photographer was busily snapping pictures, ordering the wedding party to pose one way and then another. For a brief second the fantasy faded enough to frighten Maggie. What game was Glenn playing with her? No. She’d seen the sincerity in his eyes. But pretending was dangerous, far too dangerous.
    “Are you all right?” Glenn whispered in her ear.
    Maggie didn’t have the opportunity to answer. As it was, she wasn’t sure how to respond. Under other circumstances, she would have asked him to drive her to the hospital emergency room. Her daydreams were overpowering reality. This wasn’t her wedding, nor was the man at her side her husband. She had no right to feel sensations like these.
    The next thing she knew, Glenn had disappeared. Maggie hardly had time to miss him when a shiny new Cadillac pulled to the curb. JUST MARRIED was painted on the back window. Glenn jumped out and opened both doors on the passenger side. Then, racing up the church stairs, he took Maggie by the hand and, following on the heels of Steve and Janelle, pulled her through a spray of rice and laughter as he whisked her toward the