Beth dropped her gaze to the book in her lap, which she clearly wasn’t reading. She waited for him to leave. Bryce hid his grin behind the rim of his mug. Then, as if discussing the weather, he said, “Have you thought about when and where you want to have the ceremony?”
Beth’s head shot up.
Bryce took a slow sip of his coffee, his gaze steady on Beth. “So… no thoughts on the ceremony at all?”
Beth shrugged, gripping the book a little tighter. “Haven’t really had time to think about it.”
He made a small, thoughtful noise in the back of his throat. “Hmm.”
Beth frowned. “What?”
Setting his mug down on the counter and crossed his arms. “Just… surprising, that’s all.”
Beth eyed him warily. “Why?”
Bryce stepped closer, tilting his head. “Because you’re you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
A slow smirk tugged at Bryce’s lips. “I mean… the woman who has back up plans for her back up plans, and a tendency to overthink everything—she hasn’t thought about her own wedding?” He raised an eyebrow. “I find that hard to believe.”
Beth huffed. “This is not the same thing.”
He stepped closer. “Isn’t it?”
Beth swallowed hard, tugging the book in her lap tighter. Bryce was definitely crowding her space now and her cozy reading nook suddenly felt… less cozy.
His gaze flickered over her face, reading her too easily. Then, his smirk deepened.
“Ohhh,” he drawled, eyes dancing with mischief. “I get it now.”
“Get what?” she asked cautiously.
He tilted his head slightly, his expression far too knowing. “You’re not thinking about the ceremony at all, because…” his voice trailed off.
Beth’s hands shot in the air in exasperation. “Because why??”
Bryce leaned whisper in her ear. “You’re consumed with thoughts about what comes after the ceremony.”
Beth’s brain short-circuited.
“What—no!” she sputtered, heat flooding her cheeks. “What makes you… why would you even—that’s no— I wasn’t—”
Bryce chuckled, full and deep, clearly enjoying every second of her flustered state.
Beth pointed an accusing finger at him. “I am not!”
“Really?” He raised an eyebrow. “Because from where I’m standing, you’ve been very focused on the idea of sharing a room with me.”
Beth opened her mouth to argue but paused.
He knew. He understood why she bolted from the kitchen.
Her blush deepened.
Bryce’s expression softened as he crouched down in front of her, resting his arms across her lap. “Lizzy,” his voice was gentle now, free of teasing, “we’re not sharing this room until after the ceremony.”
Her whole body sagged in relief before she could stop it.
