“I never said it’s not possible.” Frank held up an admonishing finger. “But mate, it’s like you keep going to the same rodeo, always hoping to come home with a unicorn.”
I shrugged. “Maybe I believe in unicorns.”
There was a moment of silence, and then we both started snickering.
“Right you are,” Frank said, thumping me on the arm in true brotherly fashion. “Keep the faith. It might happen yet.”
I couldn’t help but grin as the image of Gabi and Connor kissing in front of me came back into focus. It was too soon to tell if it meant anything, and I didn’t even want to think about what Frank would say if he ever found out what I was getting up to with his sister and Connor, but I had to believe it would all work out in the end. “I hope so, man. I hope so.”
We were soon interrupted by the photographer, and Frank’s parents. The afternoon began to move quickly as we had photos taken and headed down to the chapel to greet the guests. Before long, I walked Mandy down the aisle while her boyfriend gave me the evil eye from the sidelines. Caroline followed. Frank cried like a big baby at the sight of her. It was pretty much the perfect wedding.
When the time came for Gabi to do her reading, she glanced at me on her way up the steps to the lectern. I winked and her face flushed bright red, but she also cracked a secretive smile that had my heart tripping like a fucking fairy in a field of opium poppies. My gaze sought out Connor next. He shook his head and laughed behind one hand, probably at the lunatic grin I had plastered all over my face.
Best. Day. Ever.
* * *
Everything had changed.
I could see it in every move Gabi and Connor made. The hesitation that had seemed to linger between them was gone now. They kissed often, their lips brushing together in the restrainedI’d fuck you if I couldway couples use in public. Even the way they held hands had changed. Where yesterday they’d clutched at each other whenever they were near me, now I saw only the gentle twining of fingers, and the subtle caresses of a couple who were enjoying one another’s company.
I didn’t get a chance to speak to them until after the ceremony ended and everyone spilled out onto the paved area in front of the chapel. Unsure of my welcome, I approached with caution, but there was no need. When Connor saw me, he reached for my hand straight away. After we shook, Gabi gave me an enthusiastic hug that instantly put me at ease.
“About earlier,” I said to them in a low voice, “I know you two are dating and I’m nothing more than the schmuck who’s supposed to watch from the sidelines, but—”
“You kind of suck at that,” Connor interrupted, “considering what happened a few hours ago.” A wry grin quirked the corners of his lips. “You did a lot more than watch.”
I released a quiet laugh. “True, but I didn’t hear either of you complain, so you’ll have to forgive me if I’m not sorry.”
Gabi’s hand rose to her neck in an unconscious gesture as she murmured, “I don’t think there’s much point in any of us pretending to be sorry. Do you, Law?”
Law.It was the first time I’d heard her use the shortened form of my name since the night we broke up. Connor had used it yesterday, and now Gabi. It was a tiny change that didn’t mean anything by itself. And yet, to me, it meant everything.
I opened my mouth to speak, but we were interrupted by one of Gabi’s aunts. “Don’t you all look fabulous,” she said, beaming at us. “Go on and scootch together so I can take a picture.”
Connor and Gabi automatically put an arm around each other’s waists. I moved to the side, not wanting to interrupt their first photo as a couple, but Gabi extended her free arm in my direction. “Come on, you’re not getting away so easily.”
Pleasure bloomed as I joined them, and when Connor’s hand reached around Gabi to press against my lower back, I could have hooted with joy. My suit jacket prevented me from feeling the heat of his skin. I burned all the same.
After the picture was taken, I reluctantly moved away from them, just in time to be called by the photographer for the next lot of official wedding pictures. Cursing under my breath, I turned to look at them. “I have to go.”
“Go,” Gabi said with a smile. “Take care of my brother and my new sister-in-law.” She put a hand on my arm as she leaned in closer. “We’ll see you at the reception, where there will be much drinking, and dancing, and… an absence of weirding out.”
“Can’t wait.” Grinning widely, I dropped a quick kiss on Gabi’s cheek and winked at Connor before heading off.
The next few hours went by in a blur. I posed for another million photos, chatted with the guests, ate whatever the hell was put in front of me at dinner, nailed my speech, and danced the bridal waltz with Mandy before delivering her back into the eager arms of her boyfriend.
Having completed the last of my duties, I poured myself a generous glass of red wine and spent a few minutes watching Connor twirl Gabi around on the dance floor. He lowered her into a dip, and she dropped her head back, laughing in delight. I could have watched the two of them forever, but in the interests of not being bleedingly obvious, I headed for the dessert table instead.
I’d nabbed a piece of chocolate wedding cake when Frank accosted me. “Mate,” he said with a back-thumping hug. “Your job here is done. Feel free to get drunk and mess shit up.” Pulling away, he grinned at me. “Thanks for being my best man.”
“You’re welcome,” I said with a nod. “I plan to tell everyone what a groomzilla you’ve been.”
“Nah,” he scoffed. “I’ve been cool as a cucumber every step of the way.”
“You keep telling yourself that.” A new riff filled the air, an older song we’d listened to as teenagers.
Frank let out a laugh, looking straight out over the dance floor at Gabi, who squealed and ran over to grab him by the arm. “You have to dance with me,” she cried, dragging him onto the floor without waiting for an answer. He laughed and stumbled after her.
