Savi’s face lights up, and she holds the bouquet to her nose. She’s way too young to be getting any ideas in her head. She’s still in college and needs to focus on her goals.
I look back at our table, and Travis and Ryder have the same look on their faces as we do. Sophia and Eve are laughing, but like me, my brothers don’t find it very funny.
“Now it’s time for all the single guys to make their wayto the dance floor,” the DJ announces. Miles takes my drink from my hand and sets both of ours on the bar.
“You are not backing out of this one. At least give me the satisfaction of fighting you over it.”
I sigh, knowing this is a losing battle. Doing this one thing for him might get him off my back about the other girls, so I follow him onto the dance floor.
Mav grins when he sees me and gives me a wink. I try not to roll my eyes as I get into the group. Bella is sitting on the chair and giving him a look that clearly says…you better behave. By the dimpled grin he’s giving her, I doubt he’s going to listen.
The DJ starts the music, and Marvin Gaye's smooth voice fills the room asLet’s Get It Onbegins to play. Bella busts out laughing, covering her face with her hands. Everyone starts whistling and catcalling as Maverick gives her a slow lap dance before sitting on his knees between her legs. He buries his head under her dress and takes a little longer than probably necessary for him to find the garter. The surprise in her eyes is all I need to know to tell me he’s doing a little more than just searching for the piece of fabric around her upper thigh.
Chuckling, I watch him slide it down her leg with his teeth before standing up and twirling it around with his finger. He pulls her to her feet and kisses her, erasing the laughter from her lips.
“Okay, let’s see who the lucky man is that gets to keep my wife’s garter,” he says, breaking the kiss and turning around. He slingshots it into the crowd, and damn if my competitive nature doesn’t immediately take over. I’m snatching it out of the air right before Miles can grab it.
“Someone was a little too excited to get the garter. You almost ran over that poor teenager back there to get to it,” he chuckles.
“I just wanted to beat you.” I move the white garter around in my hand, fingering the lace.
“Looks like your wedding is next,” Bella says, her blue eyes bright with laughter as she approaches me.
“You don’t actually believe in that stuff, do you?” I ask, raising my eyebrow at her.
“I caught Emma’s,” she shrugs. “I guess only time will tell.” She winks at me before heading in the direction of her groom, who is talking to his parents at their table.
“So glad you got the curse and not me,” Miles laughs and slaps me on the back as he makes his way back to his fan club, which hasn’t stopped eyeing him since he left.
I eye the garter before stuffing it in my pocket. Feeling the air change, I glance around the room. There’s no mistaking who’s putting that fire in my body. It’s like a wave of heat spreading and flowing through every vein like a wildfire. I finally zone in on where it’s coming from, and I get a flash of a brunette ponytail before it disappears through the side door. A small smile plays on my lips as I reach into my pocket and touch the garter. Time will tell is right.
CHAPTER FIVE
LYLA
Iduck out of sight, praying he didn’t see me. When I finally returned to the hotel, I promised myself I would stay in the kitchen and keep busy with the cleanup. Instead, I find myself lurking in the shadows like some stalker…wondering if he’s flirting with other girls like his brother Miles.
Since I turned him down, it’s very likely he will find someone else to take my spot in his room tonight. Guys like him don’t go to bed alone, especially at weddings. My eyes hurt from the number of times I’ve rolled them at the girls, shamelessly throwing themselves at his brother, Miles, all night.
Jake hasn’t once looked at them, though. In fact, he seems almost…sad. I shake the thought away and prepare the plates for the late-night appetizers being served at the small buffet table.
“Lyla, someone is here to see you?” Clara is grinning widely at me as I look up from the stack of dishes. My pulse starts racing, and my mouth suddenly goes dry.
“Who is it?” I squeak out, praying to God that I don’t see grey eyes on the other side of that door. It was hard enough saying no the first time. I don’t know if I have the strength to do it again tonight.
“It’s one of the guests. She said her name was Meaghan. She wants to talk to the person who made the desserts.”
My breath rushes out as relief hits me. I set the plates in my hand down and walk to the door.
“I told you they were good. It’s your first night on the menu, and people are already asking for the chef,” she grins at me.
“Thanks, Clara,” I smile, pushing open the door. A beautiful older woman with long, dark hair breaks out into a grin when she sees me.
“Lyla?”
I nod my head. “Yes.” Her grey eyes are striking and vaguely familiar, though I can’t quite place where I’ve seen them before.
“I’m Meaghan. I just had to meet you and tell you how impressed I was with the desserts. My friend owns Blue Haven Cafe, and the desserts she orders don’t come close to what I tasted earlier. It was probably the best chocolate dessert I’ve ever had. I even ate half of my husband’s when he wasn’t looking,” she laughs. “My friend has been looking for a new pastry chef, and I would love to get your card to pass your information on to her.”
