Arthur looks like an older version of Jagger. A silver fox if I’m being honest but his ass won me and I don’t believe his plastic smile for a second. It’s a shame that he lacks the genuineness of his son. It was the longest minute of my life.
The moment the song ends, Jagger snatches me from Arthur. His jaw clenches as he glares at Jagger but he doesn’t say anything. Not that it matters since we’re on the other side near the DJ booth before I can even blink.
The DJ hands Jagger the microphone when he requests it.
“Thank you for joining us. Go ahead and eat. We’ll cut the cake while you eat...” he pauses to look at Oran, “because it’s rude for the bride and groom to leave the wedding before cutting the cake.”
Oran gives him discreet middle fingers and Jagger winks at him. I almost died when I first noticed Oran wearing my favorite color. It looks so damn good on him that I wouldn’t be able to stand it if I wasn’t starving for more samples from Jagger.
We do the customary cut for the photos and leave the rest to the staff. I have mandatory mingling to accomplish so Jagger and I are separated for now. I’d considered keeping Ainslee company since she’s sitting at a table alone but I realize I don’t really know her. I don’t want to make it awkward. I'm not surprised that Jagger is leaning on the bar talking to Oran. Those two find each other any and everywhere. Except for every one of my parties Jagger attended.
One of the appeals of Oran is his mysterious nature. He’s big and brooding unless Jagger is entertaining him with his nonsense. On the surface they seem day and night but I’m skeptical.
“Eeny, meeny, miney, moe…”
“Shut up, Esme.” I know she can hear my amusement because I’m smiling.
“I’m just saying. That’s one hell of a sandwich. How many girls do you think they’ve shared.”
I consider her question while ignoring the way the thought of them sharing me makes my heart flutter.
“Hard to tell. Oran seems more reserved than Jagger and Jagger was in that relationship for years. She didn’t look like she’d be down for that.”
“Pft. Oran has that quiet but deadly with my dick vibe. I ran from them earlier so I wouldn’t be a mistress and a sister’s man fucker at the same damn time.”
I burst out laughing but cover my face to not bring attention to us. “What?”
“They were together and I threatened Jagger. He made it sound like I offered him some kinky sex then Oran smiled at me. I was so done. I called them weird and ran for my life.”
The visual is so funny I have to wipe tears from my eyes. “Your secret lover is gonna shake you.”
She sticks her tongue out like Cardi B. “I hope so. He’s not here anyway.”
Imala passes on the way to the cake and gives us both one arm hugs since she doesn’t bother looking up from her phone. I already know she’s on a good part of one of her books. She bumps into Caerwyn Hale but he simply rights her, hands her a piece of cake, and then continues his conversation with one of the guests.
Esme looks like she’s struggling not to roll her eyes so I know she doesn’t fully like whomever is approaching.
“How about a dance with the lovely bride?”
I fix a smile on my face and turn to greet Elmer Hale. He’s a huge man like the rest of the Hales but his features are not the masterpiece that is Oran.
“Sure?” I accept because anything else wouldn’t be polite.
He pulls me with a slightly sweaty hand to the dance floor as a slow song I’ve never heard before plays. His smile is the only easy thing about him and just as he pulls me to his massive chest Jagger pulls me in the opposite direction.
“Not now, Elmer. Mywifeand I haveweddingduties.”
There is something laced in how he speaks to him and the stare down illustrates their dislike. Elmer is a little taller and twice as thick as Jagger, still Jagger’s expression dares Elmer to try him.
Fuck, that’s hot.
Elmer walks away but his glare tells Jagger to watch his back.
“What’s that about?”
“Founder stuff.”
“Is that code for ‘Mind your business, Karessa.”
