“See that all the men have these buttonholes pinned to whatever they’re wearing.”
“Urgh, really?”
“Yes.” She heads off to deal with the next crisis.
“Fuck,” I groan, sifting my hand through the flowers. It’s mostly men in here. I’m not about to go around handing them out like some servant. From the center of the room, I call out. “Everyone needs one of these roses, pronto. Come and get one.”
There is a lot of grumbling, but they come over to grab a flower while I hold out the box. I recognize the scent of Eli’s cologne when he approaches.
Without wanting to, my eyes lift to him staring at me as he puts his hand into the box and takes a flower. He stands by me as he pins it on, and I can’t stop myself staring at his hands as he does.
I am only drawn out of the moment when Mace steps up beside him. Mace gives Eli a cursory look before his lip twitches, and he heads away. Eli glares after him.
What the hell is that about? It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask, but I’ve barely spoken to him since we hooked up and I am too fucking scared to start now. I mumble about needing more flowers, even though the box is still half full and scurry away like a fucking mouse, which pisses me the hell off.
I don’t want that drama, that’s all.
Mace is eyeing me as I pass him. Even though we flirted a lot at the last party, he never gave any indication he wants to take it further.
Even if he looked like he wanted to rip my dress off. And I’d wanted him to.
Dammit, I need a cold shower.
I spend the next twenty minutes handing out flowers, getting hotter and more irritated.
Hudson is standing over Felix whose leg is jumping up and down with nerves. It is kind of funny how they are guarding him. A loud whistle pierces the air, and we all turn to my diminutive mother, who still has her fingers in her mouth.
“They’re on their way. Everyone outside.”
“Holy fuck,” Felix cries out.
Hudson laughs loudly as he grabs him and hauls him outside to the top of the makeshift aisle.
Mom and the other women have done a good job setting everything up. None of the flowers tied to chairs closest to the aisle are wilting. The wedding arch is covered in the same flowers which look as perky. Can’t say the same about the ice sculptures, they are sweating as much as the guests. I don’t see them making it past the ceremony.
There are no club girls here. It won’t last, they’ll be at the after party, these assholes can’t manage without those girls around. I head to a row near the back, but mom forces me to the front. My brother, is already seated with his current girlfriend. I quite like this one, so it is no hardship sitting with them.
“Where is your date?” she asks.
Ransom laughs and I give him the evil eye.
“I don’t like to bring anyone around this place,” I tell her.
“Oh.” Her brows dip and she looks to Ransom, who squeezes her knee.
“Ignore her, she can’t get a man to go out with her.”
I dig my knuckles into his hip joint, making him flinch in pain.
Before he can retaliate a shadow falls over us. Dad looks at me, then Ransom. If he was capable of it, he’d roll his eyes. He doesn’t need to, we know he saw that interaction.
He shakes Ransom’s hand, greets Melissa with a head dip, then picks up my hand and kisses my fingertips. He isn’t such a bad dad. Despite the occasion, the heat and the general annoyance I feel about being here, it’s nice seeing my family.
The rest of the guests arrive and take their seats. Soft music starts playing and everyone goes quiet.
Mom arrives at our row and grabs my dad’s hand, which he takes without complaint. It makes me smile knowing how much they love each other. So many kids I grew up with came from broken homes. I was lucky, even if they do occasionally make me want to vomit in my mouth.
Despite myself, I enjoy the ceremony. The bride does looks stunning and Felix trying to control his emotions as he watches her walk towards him is kind of sweet. Little baby Samuel is carried down the aisle in the cutest baby tux by one of the bridesmaids. It is only when they are officially made husband and wife and start kissing, obscenely if you ask me, that I notice all the other couples around me.
