* * *
The Sloppy Pelicanis pumping tonight—and the banquet room is also brimming with guests. Lex looks beautiful in her lace floral gown. Something I probably won’t see her donning again anytime soon, but it’s a shame—Lex is a stunner in it. We walk arm in arm down the aisle and watch as Low and Levi become husband and wife while Raven looses it on thesidelines.
Once Levi and Low speed back down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Masterson, the room explodes in celebratoryhowls.
Raven boo-hoos as if she were at Low’s funeral. But Lex is right there smacking her over the arm and telling her to get over it before she throws her arms aroundme.
“Looks like we survived.” Lex lifts a cheek as if the entire event were annoying, and I can’t help but laugh. “What? I had ten bucks that you’d lock your knees and passout.”
“All right.” I give her thigh a quick pinch. “You’re a riot. You know who didn’t survive?” I glance to an inconsolable Raven sobbing into her floral bouquet. “She could probably use a friend.” I lean in. “One that doesn’t use the wordsget overit?”
Lex snarls a moment before sagging into me. “I’ll be right back.” She takes off in Raven’s direction, and before I know it, they’re locked in an embrace with Lex whispering soothing words—one can only hope—into Raven’sear.
A hand slaps over my shoulder, and I turn to find Brody looking every bit the lady-killer. “Looks like things are looking up for you. Everything good with you andLex?”
“Everything’s great. Lex and I are right on track. In fact”—I pull him in by the elbow—“I’m gunning for a wedding of my own. And if everything goes well, that will happensoon.”
“No kidding?” Brody hops back on one leg, that brimming grin widening on his face. “That’s great. I’m sure it will all work out for you.” He folds his arms across his chest and looks out at the crowd with a sober expression. I’ve known Brody long enough to realize something’s getting tohim.
“What’s the long facefor?”
“Nah—it’s nothing.” He scratches the back of his head. “It’s just that the other night you mentioned something about me being the forever bachelor. I don’t know. Something about it got tome.”
“You thinking about slowing your roll?” I give him a mock sock. “Afraid your dick will falloff?”
“A little ofboth.”
“You have your sight set on anyone yet? Or should I put out a general warning, letting the girls of Hollow Brook know it’s time to duck andcover?”
“You’re not funny.” He scans the crowd as if he’s looking for someone. “Anyway, I’m good. I’m sure whatever is meant to be will work out in theend.”
“Good.” I slap my hand over his shoulder as if bringing him back into the room with me. “I’m a firm believer in thatmyself.”
Brody stares off at the entrance to the banquet hall, and I spot Raven and Lex heading this way. The music starts up, and as fate would have it, Brody and I have unwittingly planted ourselves on the dance floor. Bodies fill in around us, all of them swaying and laughing, and the reception getsunderway.
Lex lunges at me and wraps her arms around my waist. “I got her all cleaned up and ready to knock back champagne with the rest of us.” She pulls Raven over and strokes her long dark hair. “Maybe we’ll find you a dance partner so you don’t look solonely.”
A thought comes to me. “Brody, why don’t you dance with Raven? Help her get back in thegame.”
“Please.” Raven scoffs. “The wolfman doesn’t dance. He gyrates”—she averts her eyes a moment—“indiscriminately, with allwomen.”
Lex gives Raven a firm shove in Brody’s direction. “Shut up and dance withhim.”
We share a quiet laugh as Raven and Brody get to the odd task of detangling and rearranginglimbs.
“They look uncomfortable,” I pointout.
Lex grunts, “Ten bucks says they’re knocking boots by NewYear’s.”
“What?” I pull back and examine her for a head injury. “No way. They fight like cats in a bathtub. Besides, they grew up together. They’re practically brother andsister.”
“I don’t know if they quite see things that way,” Lex muses. “He’s her brother’s best friend. She’s his best friend’s little sister. Enemies to lovers,friendsto lovers. I think they cover about half the romance tropes in existence. Besides, they’d be ridiculously hot together. Not to mention the fact Levi would detest it. He might even lose his hair over theordeal.”
I belt out a laugh before burying a kiss just under her ear. “And what trope would we fall under? Endlesslove?”
“That’s not a trope. It’s a fact. We would fall under second chanceromance.”
“Lucky for us we won’t need athird.”
