CEO Flew to a Destination Wedding, Never Expecting the Bridesmaid Would Be the One That Got Away
Rediscovering Dreams and Shared History
It had been eight years since they’d seen each other. It had been eight years since that painful goodbye in their senior year when their paths had diverged so dramatically. He’d gone to New York for finance; she’d pursued marine conservation.
They’d tried long distance for a few months, but the demands of his career had consumed him. Eventually, they’d both agreed to end things—or at least that’s what he told himself. In truth, she had ended it, telling him his work had changed him.
She told him the boy she’d fallen in love with had disappeared into endless meetings and midnight phone calls. Before he could retreat, she turned fully and their eyes met. Recognition bloomed on her face, followed by shock, then something undefinable.
“Tyler,” her voice carried on the breeze, still exactly as he remembered it.
“Amber,” he replied, forcing himself to close the distance between them.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.”
She smiled, and Tyler felt a familiar ache in his chest.
“I’m one of Jessica’s bridesmaids. We worked together in Belize for a conservation project a few years back.”
She looked him over.
“And you’re here for Mark, I assume? He mentioned his big shot CEO friend was coming.”
“Guilty as charged,” Tyler said, trying to sound casual despite the thundering of his heart. “Though I hope he didn’t actually introduce me that way.”
“Not to worry,” Amber laughed.
“He usually goes with ‘Tyler Thompson: financial genius and workaholic extraordinaire’.”
Tyler winced.
“That sounds more accurate.”
An awkward silence fell between them, filled only by the sound of gentle waves. Tyler noticed subtle changes in her—slight crinkles around her eyes when she smiled and a new confidence in her posture. But her eyes were the same deep brown.
“So…” they both said simultaneously, then laughed.
“You first,” Amber offered.
“I was just going to ask how you’ve been,” Tyler said. “It’s been a long time.”
“Eight years,” she confirmed, her eyes momentarily reflecting something that might have been regret.
“I’ve been good. I run the Marine Conservation Center in Costa Rica now. We’re doing important work.”
“That’s amazing, Amber. You always said you would.”
She nodded, looking genuinely pleased by his acknowledgment.
“And you… though I don’t really need to ask. Thompson Investments is practically a household name now.”
“It’s been a wild ride,” Tyler admitted. “But worth it, I think.”
“Is it?”
The question wasn’t accusatory, just curious, but it still caught him off guard. Before he could answer, a voice called out from further up the beach.
“Amber! There you are! Jessica’s looking for you—something about emergency bridesmaid duties.”
Amber waved acknowledgment to the woman Tyler didn’t recognize.
“Duty calls,” she said with an apologetic smile. “I suppose I’ll see you at dinner.”
“I’ll be there,” Tyler promised, watching as she walked away.
He tried not to notice how gracefully she moved or how his heart seemed to follow her. The welcome dinner was held on a terrace overlooking the beach. Strings of lights hung overhead, casting a warm glow on the gathering.
Tyler spotted Mark immediately and made his way over.
“The man himself!” Mark exclaimed, pulling Tyler into a bear hug. “I wasn’t sure you’d actually make it. Thought maybe you’d send a hologram instead.”
Tyler laughed, returning the embrace.
“And miss seeing you finally settled down? Not a chance.”
“It’s good to see you, man; really good,” Mark said, sincerity evident in his voice. “And hey, I saw you talking with Amber earlier. Small world, huh?”
“The smallest,” Tyler agreed, trying to sound nonchalant. “I had no idea she knew Jessica.”
“Yeah, they’re pretty tight. She’s actually been staying at our place in California whenever she’s in the States.”
Mark gave Tyler a knowing look.
“You know, she’s never really had a serious relationship since…”
“Don’t,” Tyler cut him off gently. “That was a lifetime ago.”
Mark raised his hands in surrender.
“Just saying, some flames never really die out.”
Before Tyler could respond, Jessica appeared at Mark’s side, radiant in a flowing white dress.
“Tyler! I’m so happy you could make it,” she hugged him warmly. “Has Mark been behaving himself so far?”
Tyler assured her with a smile.
“Congratulations, Jessica. You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she beamed. “Have you had a chance to catch up with Amber? She mentioned running into you earlier.”
“Briefly,” Tyler replied, wondering why everyone seemed so interested in his interaction with Amber. “We didn’t have much time to talk.”
“Well, I’ve seated you next to each other at dinner,” Jessica said with a smile that was a little too innocent. “I thought it would be nice for you to reconnect.”
Tyler shot Mark a look, but his friend merely shrugged with feigned innocence.
“Total coincidence, I’m sure,” Mark said, not sounding convincing in the slightest.
