Focus on the food, man.Don’t let that tool ruin this meal for you.
At least they didn’t put me at the kids’ table. Well, with Brecken there…it iskind of the kids’ table.
Shit, is the table full of nothing but single men? I almost turn around to double check when I consider the alternative. At least I won’t have some overly emotional single chick there looking at me with hearts in her eyes after the all-day love fest. Again, focus, Dave. You survived the four weddings. Now it’s time for the reward.
Heading in the direction of a long rectangular table in the center of the tent, I scan the place cards until I find mine. It’s not an easy task with the little cards written in calligraphy, tucked between water goblets and decorative floral arrangements. I must be at Ellie’s table, as I recognize that the centerpieces match her bouquet. Don’t ask mehow the hell I remembered that, given the long day of ceremonies and flowers, except to say, they reminded me a bit of my mom’s flower garden when I was growing up. She didn’t fuss with heirloom roses or exotic orchids like a lot of the rich snobs my parents socialized with. Mom preferred the vibrant wildflowers you’d find in a meadow.
Not that the other girls’ choices weren’t attractive. Tuesday used sunflowers for her bouquet. But given the nickname Alex had given her, Sunny T, I wouldn’t have expected anything less. Quinn and Addison seemed to have the usual. I couldn’t tell you what they were. One was all white, and the other had some blue in it, I think.
Ah! Here it is.My smile widens at finding my name card. My stomach is growling just knowing I’m one step closer. Acknowledging everyone around me as I pull my chair back, I take my seat and look up to findher.
The exquisite auburn-haired woman from earlier. And as luck would have it, she’s seated right beside me.
My mouth suddenly goes dry. My pulse quickening. What the hell is happening to me? “Hi.” My greeting comes out more as an exhale than a fully formed word.Jesus. When did I turn into a middle school geek with a crush on his English teacher?
The stunner turns to fully face me, and I lose any ability to breathe. “Hi. I’m Char.” There’s the faintest recognition in her mesmerizing eyes. But how is that possible? Hell, I’d never forget meeting a woman like this.
Holding out her hand to me, I grasp it in mine. While her skin is petal-soft, her grip is firmer than I anticipated. Yet, I can barely acknowledge the sensation for the spark of electricity surging from her palm to mine.
If I thought she was eye-catching before, that view didn’t do her justice. Her dark lashes seem to cast shadows on her flawless skin. And her big green eyes and dazzling smile are breathtaking. As noted by my inability to string two words together at the moment. Hell, she must think I’m having a stroke. “Hi.”
“You said that already,” Breck goads. This cocky rookie is on borrowed time. I’ve tried hard not to let him get under my skin likemany of the guys at my station, but this may have sealed his fate. I swear I’m going to— “I’m Brecken. This is Smoke.” He points the end of his knife in my direction before returning to spreading butter on his roll.
“Dave,” I correct, rolling my eyes.
“Hi, Dave. It’s nice to meet you.” Her voice, a mix of raspy and sweet, coats my skin like a caress. It’s almost too much to look directly at her. I feel like I’m drowning in her beauty when her eyes are locked on mine. Her irises are a brilliant green, like emeralds sparkling under the setting sun. Her skin is fair, not overly made-up. Natural. When she blinks wordlessly at me, I realize I’ve gone speechless again.
What the hell? No game, numb nuts. You have absolutely no game.
An hour later,I’m practically stuffed to the gills. I’d piled my plate high withperfectly prepared pieces of grilled chicken, macaroni and cheese, green beans, baked apples, collard greens, and the flakiest, buttery biscuit I’ve ever tasted. I allowed my eyes to wander to Char’s plate and found a generous helping of chicken, spicy cucumber salad, green beans, and biscuits topped with honey. It’s nice to see a woman who enjoys eating at these functions for a change.Not that I care what they do or don’t eat. But it’s such a waste. There’s no way I’m passing up anything on Ellie’s menu.
Char isn’t the willowy waif I’d grown accustomed to in college. The ones who looked like they’d rather die than be caught with a single hair out of place. From the time I’ve spent with her so far, I can tell she has the C’s covered. And I don’t mean her bra size. This woman is curvy, confident, and by all accounts, comfortable in her own skin. Watching her enjoy herself without putting on airs is refreshing.
I dip my head in the direction of her plate. “Good, huh?”
She glances up at me, fork halfway to her mouth. “Oh, you haveno idea how much I’ve missed Ellie’s cooking.” She drags her tongue across her plump lower lip to underscore her statement, and my dick jumps in my pants. I nervously shift in my seat.
Holy fuck, man.
I swallow hard and pray it doesn’t look like I’m choking on my tongue. “It’s my favorite.” My voice breaks at the effect she’s having on me. I try to push down the lump in my throat, hoping to sound more like a firefighter in his thirties than Peter Brady during the episode ofThe Brady Bunchwhen his voice changes from prepubescent boy to man. “If her grandma Joan was still alive, I’d kiss her.” I chuckle before taking another bite of creamy macaroni and cheese. “You’ll have to come visit more often.”
Yeah, that wasn’t at all forward, you dumb ass.Who knows? Maybe she thinks I’m just making small talk.
Reaching for my glass, I lift it to wash down the cheesy goodness when my eyes connect with Breck’s. His shit-eating grin means he’s on to me. Man, someone really needs to release a little whoop-ass on this douche canoe.And I nominate me.
Not long ago, I’d contemplated buying this gizmo I’d found online. It was a mechanical cricket that chirps every few minutes throughout the night. Thought about ordering one and hiding it near his bunk. But knowing my luck, this idiot would sleep right through it while the rest of us were up all night going stark raving mad.
The nimrod in question stands. “I’m heading to the bar for another beer. Anyone else need one? Smoke?”
I shake my head. Clearly, I’ve already lost control of my faculties sitting next to this beauty. No telling what would happen if I added too much alcohol to the mix.
“Char? Can I get the lovely lady a drink?”
“Sure. I’ll take a margarita if they have one.”
“For you, I’ll make it myself if I need to.” Brecken winks before turning to crook a brow at me in awas that so hard, old man?sneer.
As he walks away, I grumble to myself, “I swear that motherfucker?—”
