Imake my way up the top stairwell of some huge skyscraper on the edge of downtown Denver.
“Can you believe we’re crashing a wedding, Gus?”
The happy Staffy mix looks up at me and licks his nose before trotting up the last few stairs.
I push open the door and stand in the middle of the open doorway, my eyes wide as I take in the beautiful scene.
It’s like something out of a Pinterest board. String lights hang above, twinkling against the deep, indigo-blue summer sky. There’s a long table on one side of the rooftop, draped in silky white fabric and adorned with small vases of pink and white peonies and white candles.
On the other side is a dance floor, where about half the guests are dancing to Daft Punk.
At the far end, there’s a huge bar and a dessert table next to it.
All the guests are dressed in cocktail attire. I glance down at the casual floral sundress I’m wearing and white sneakers, feeling self-conscious even though Camden assured me I could come dressed as I am.
“Hey. You made it.”
I turn and see him beaming at me. For a second, I just stare at him. He looks so handsome in that charcoal gray suit, white dress shirt, and sky blue tie.
He holds up a stemless wine glass. “Your Malibu and pineapple juice is ready for you.”
I smile and accept the glass. I take a sip and hum at the sweet flavor. It’s been so long since I’ve let myself indulge in a cocktail—at least six months. God, it tastes good.
Camden crouches down to pet Gus.
“Gus, my man. You’re even cuter in person.”
I chuckle while Camden kisses the top of Gus’s head. He flops on the ground, offering up his belly. Camden laughs.
“He’s shameless when it comes to belly scratches,” I say.
Camden rubs Gus’s belly with both hands.
I look at the dance floor and see Ryker slow-dancing with a tall, fair-skinned woman in a gorgeous, light peach-hued strapless ball gown that complements her skin tone perfectly. Her fiery red hair is styled in soft waves over one shoulder, and she’s wearing bold red lipstick.
“Wow. Ryker’s wife is stunning,” I say.
Camden stands up. “I know, right? How the hell that grumpy fucker managed to convince Madeline to marry him, I’ll never know.”
I watch as Ryker gazes adoringly at his wife, his hands on her waist, holding her against him. His stern expression has softened, and his mouth is curved up in a soft smile.
“I think that’s cute when a grumpy guy falls in love,” I say.
Camden grins. “Yeah?”
I nod. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into crashing your teammate’s wedding.”
“You’re not crashing. You’re my date.”
That sly grin dances on his thick lips. It’s on the edge of cocky, but not quite. The sweetness in his gaze softens it. Mytummy flips. Camden is unfairly handsome when he smiles like that.
His eyes scan the messy side braid over my shoulder.
“Told you I’d be underdressed. Do you regret inviting me yet?” I say.
His smile softens as he shakes his head. “Not even one bit. You look beautiful.”
“Yeah, right.”
