“We aren’t going to hold you up. I’ll see you inside.” Sabrina kissed her cheek. “Enjoy it all today, and ignore your mother.”
Toni chuckled and pulled her in for another hug.
“She’s distracted and not so bad today. Sorry you have to sit with her, though. You’ll have to hear about everything she thought went wrong,” she cupped her mouth to whisper.
“I think I’ll be a good distraction tonight, right?” I peered down at Sabrina after we moved away, the affection in her eyes hitting me in a very real way, despite the game we were playing.
“I think you’ll be perfect,” Sabrina said, sultry and sweet enough for my dick to twitch in anticipation.
I’d be anything she wanted me to be tonight.
“This is a nice place,” I said to Sabrina as we headed inside the reception hall.
“It is,” she agreed, taking my hand as we headed toward one of the tables in the front. She laced our fingers together and held on tight, but I didn’t believe that was for show. I felt terrible that she was this tense over seeing her own family.
I loved family parties. My cousins and I would roughhouse even into our thirties, making a pile of shoes next to the dance floor at a wedding after we’d bounce around to the music. Our parents would just shake their heads and laugh—other than my father, who would always be the killjoy and tell us to knock it off.
Mom always got a kick out of it. She loved weddings and parties and anywhere she could be with the people she loved.
That had all ended. And while I’d never make peace with it, I’d thought I’d accepted it until I spotted Sabrina’s older relatives at the table, wishing like hell that my mother could attend one more party and enjoy it like she used to.
But my mother couldn’t do that if she didn’t know where she was.
“Are you okay?” Sabrina asked, coming up to me with a crinkled brow.
“Yeah, sure.” I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to force my head back in the game. “Why?”
“You seemed to drift for a minute.”
“I’m good,” I said, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I promise.”
“Sabrina?”
Sabrina’s sister’s voice was just as shrill as I remembered. I’d always wondered how she found the energy to be annoyed over every little thing. I didn’t have to see her face to detect the deep frown in her tone.
“Hi, Melissa,” Sabrina said, shooting her sister a wide grin before flitting her eyes to me. “You remember Caden, right?”
“I do,” she said, scrutinizing me from head to toe before extending her hand. “I was surprised to hear that you were coming.”
“Yeah, I can see how you would be. It’s been a long time, but I’m glad to be here.” I took her hand, sweeping my gaze around the room. “This is a beautiful place, and Toni is a stunning bride. Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Melissa said with a tight smile. “I was happy to hear my sister was bringing someone, but surprised that she was dating anyone. She never mentioned you.”
“We wanted to keep it quiet. Our friends don’t really know yet either. What do the kids call this, babe?” I asked Sabrina, tightening my arm around her waist. “A hard launch?”
She cracked a grin and nodded.
“Yes. I thought the wedding would be a perfect place to announce it—or do a hard launch, like my man just said.”
“Your man,” her sister scoffed. “Wasn’t the reunion only a few months ago?”
“It was a funny thing,” I said to Melissa while holding Sabrina’s eyes. “We hadn’t seen each other in a long time, but once I found her again, it was like…” I trailed off, trying to find the perfect word for what itwaslike. She’d stuck out in the crowd the minute I’d spotted her, and I couldn’t look away. I had been glued to her side whenever I’d had the chance since.
Fate, luck, the universe fucking with me? I couldn’t come up with the right term.
“Magic,” Sabrina finished for me, leaning her head against my chest. “I thought you’d be happy for me, Mel.”
“I am,” she said, still looking between us, her frown more sad than agitated. “I just wish you’d shared it with me. Anyway, glad you could make it, Caden. I hope you enjoy the reception.”
