I chuckle when I see Bodhi jogging down the beach. He’s slightly winded when he arrives, but he still flashes a wide smile as he nears. He’s wearing gray slacks and a button-up white shirt.
“Whew, child. I’m glad that wasn’t Dre. He was about to get jumped,” Latoya mumbles.
“Dre?” I ask.
Celeste pats my hand with a smile. “Long story.”
Bodhi looks around and spins. “How am I more dressed up than the grooms?” His trim beard moves on his face when he laughs, and his mossy eyes dance with humor.
“You missed the casual beach memo,” Axel grumbles. “Now shut it and let me get married.”
“Sorry,” Bodhi holds up his hand. “My invitation was somewhat delayed,” he stresses as he stands near Latoya, but she nudges him and moves Keri between them.
Axel snorts but turns to the officiant. “Continue.”
I’m smiling just as big as I smiled during my wedding watching Axel move into the next phase with Heaven. As I suspected, Axel delivered the kind of kiss that made my mom giggle, his mom cover her face in embarrassment, Heaven’s mom blush, and Celeste’s mom gawk.
“Okay. Okay. We get the point,” Heaven’s dad grumbled at his son-in-law. One more second, and I think Marcus would have pulled him off.
With the weddings complete, the photographer lines us up for pictures and takes a couple of photos. Then Latoya’s comment resurfaces in my brain. I immediately start laughing which throws everyone off since nothing funny happened.
I pull Latoya in a quick hug. “I’m late. You’re hilarious and right.”
“What?” she asks with a smirk.
“I just remembered who Dre is.”
People around us chuckle. “You got him fired from both jobs and locked him in an NDA, then forgot his name? That’s cold, Beau,” Latoya jokes as we make our way to eat.
I shrug because I can’t find the will to give a fuck.
The girls wander off and Bodhi throws his arms around mine and Axel’s shoulder—which is a bit of a stretch with Axel’s height.
“You two married at the same time—I’m glad I got here in time to witness the second-half in person. I watched your Livestream on the ride over. Both of you are glowing like women, I see.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Axel whispers. “I’m going to laugh when you fall, and I hope you’re reduced to poetry and serenades—all that shit.”
Bodhi’s deep laugh rumbles between us. Of the three of us, he was more of the playboy. He has a strong business mind and iron-willed determination, but Bodhi loves playing the field. It’s not surprising, I think I would’ve had more of a player’s spirit had I lived most of my life in a place with such a high tourist rate.
“Nah,” Bodhi denies, but his eyes move in the direction of the ladies.
“I wasn’t looking for love and Celeste fell into my lap,” I offer.
“Almost literally,” Axel confirms.
“Anyway. I’ll see you two bright and early for a surf. The three of us haven't gone out together since before…” Bodhi trails off when he realizes what he’s about to say.
“It’s okay. My last wedding,” I finish for him.
He nods sadly.
“But it’s our honeymoon,” Axel complains.
“Which means you two just signed up for forever. I’m only here for twenty-four hours.”
We agree because he has a point.
“Fine, but you have to tell us your progress with your hotel partner,” Axel mocks the discord between Bodhi and Latoya.
