“Oh! Golf. Yeah. Um, I think Branson. Maybe Frank? I stopped keeping count.” My throat felt suddenly tight as my eyes snagged on some ink on her side. “You have a tattoo.”
She beamed, turning to the side and lifting her arm to show the flower pattern that trailed down her ribs and abs. “I do!”
I leaned closer, tracing a finger down the design. “It’s pretty.”
“Thanks. Result of a late teenaged crisis.”
I was just about to ask her for the story when Kitty interrupted from Guy’s embrace. “Hey, Annie, we need to go start getting ready. I’ll shower first since now I have to dry my hair, MICHAEL.”
Mikey gave a sheepish grimace. “Sorry, Kitty. The intrusive thoughts won.”
“I’ll come with you,” Annie said, glancing back to me. “Do you want your hat back?”
“Keep it,” I said, somewhat in a daze.
She bit her lip. “Thanks, bubby. See you at the rehearsal.”
Second time she’d used that name with me. Bub. Bubby. It was kinda hillbilly and somehow made me feel like a million bucks. Did it mean baby? Who cares. I loved it.
I watched as Annie got out of the pool by the stairs, the water running down her glowing skin, through the valley of her spine, over the two dimples in her lower back, some of it under her swimsuit. And shit, my cock was stiffening. I ducked my head underwater, not able to get out of the pool until my body calmed.
* * *
I was jealous of a man I didn’t even know. For a woman I also didn’t really know. Great start to the evening, Nick.
Don’t get me wrong. Kitty’s brother is a nice enough dude. We had fun at the bachelor party. But watching him yucking it up with Annie as they walked into the pristine little white chapel made me hot under the collar. I had to be scowling. I mean, I got to walk in a famous actress. That was cool, I guess. She’s funny, as would be expected for a comedy actor. And yeah, she’s beautiful. But I don’t know. Not my type somehow. Probably a little too outgoing and cool for me.
My type was walking in with this sweet little blue dress that flared out at her hips, her blonde hair loose and wavy over one shoulder. The other shoulder was mostly bare, leaving thosefreckles exposed. And she was sharing a private joke with Kitty’s brother Frank.
It’s not like I should have been the best man or anything, but ugh. I didn’t like it. I wanted to be the one making Annie laugh.
Do freckles have a taste? That was all I could think about when I saw her in that damn pink bikini, and then in the blue dress. I felt like the biggest weirdo on the planet. Why was I such a creep? Maybe I’d be better off sticking to men. I didn’t know how to act with women. They were so pretty and this wild balance of delicate and powerful.
What was so funny about what he said to her? She threw her head back and everything. They’d probably known each other for years. Since they were kids even. Like Guy and Kitty! This could be their relationship origin story!
Why did I care so much? Why was I attached to some woman I met one day before?
As they took their places at the altar, I turned in to watch her rather than keeping my gaze at the end of the aisle where Kitty was coming in.
“Get it together, bro,” Mikey whispered out of the corner of his mouth. Jessie sat in a pew, giggling at my blunders. She shot me a thumbs-up. I ground my molars and pasted on a smile. Jessie and all her little teasing and opinions. I jokingly called her Mommy for all that she fussed over me and coached me on everything since she showed up in Mikey’s life. I even tried growing out my facial hair for a while because she said I looked like I was twelve.
Well, even if I looked twelve, I had a million bucks in the bank. Take that, Jessalyn.
Mikey’d kill me if he knew I had ever harbored any sort of negative thought toward Jessie. Better keep that to myself. People wonder why I’m quiet. It’s because my thoughts aren’t all public-facing.
And here were Guy and Kitty, fake exchanging their vows and giggling. Being all cute. I could only see the girls’ faces sincewe were all faced in. Kitty looked so in love, and Annie watched Guy’s face with a certain reverence. What was on her mind? Was she on the verge of tears because she was happy or sad? She didn’t look happy.
Everyone loves a crying maid of honor, though, right? Losing their best friend! The drama! The pride! The joy!
She laughed at a joke one of them made, and I mirrored her.Jesus, Nick, listen to the people talking. Annie’s face returned to its sad state after the laugh died.
For one fleeting second, I caught her eye. Her lips turned up in a soft smile and she gave me what I’d call a blink of acknowledgment.I see you, I thought, hoping she’d hear me or feel the sentiment somehow.I’m sorry you’re sad.
We all cheered for Guy and Kitty’s kiss and filed out, heading back to the main resort for the rehearsal dinner.
I was seated with the hockey guys. Branson and his wife were easy to chat with, which I figured since Guy was so close with them. They showed off pictures of their son and talked about hoping for number two soon. I showed pictures of my version of a son, my Chihuahua Greg. Guy and Kitty made a speech thanking us all, giving out nice gifts for us. A real nice dinner all in all.
I’d had enough martinis for the moment and slipped out to the bathroom. As I was coming back, a soft cry sounded from around the corner. I froze. Sucking air. A big shaky breath out.
