Avery teared up, and her smile lit up the night.
“Cake, your green eyes.” He brushed his thumb across her temple and closed the space between them. “This dress shows off that freckle I like to kiss. The one beside your breast. I’ve been staring at it all night.”
Someone at the party clinked the side of a glass with a knife, prompting Nate and Lily to kiss.
“Laughter, glasses clinking, the jingle of your charm bracelet.” He tugged a charm and shook it.
With his free arm, Miles pulled her closer. He kissed her softly, the way people kissed in a public place: mindfully and demurely. He rested his forehead on hers and looked into her gorgeous green eyes.
“When we get home,” he whispered, “I’m planning on moving more than three body parts. For starters, I’m going to lift your hands above your head and hold them against the wall the way you like. At some point, this dress is coming off. Correct me if I’m wrong, but you bought this for me to take off, right?”
She gave him a coy smirk and ran her hands down the silky fabric. The dress shifted enough for him to see beyond the freckle.
Miles licked his lips.
“I bought it in April,” she said, “with the sole purpose of making you jealous.”
She wrapped her hands around his neck and her low, raspy purr tickled his ear.
“Is it working, Magrum? Are you jealous?”
Miles subtly ran a thumb under a strap and swallowed. Avery raisedan eyebrow and waited for an answer.
“Completely jealous. I’ve always wanted a dress like this.” He winked. “On my floor.”
“The best man needs to behave.” She lightly smacked his chest and fixed his tie. “Later, you can misbehave all you want.”
He’d always assumed playful flirting waned once you fell into a life with someone. Avery showed him the freedom of being more playful within the safety of a relationship. Miles gently brushed her smile with his lips. A sweet gentle kiss passed between them.
“I love you, Pepper.”
“And I love you too.” Avery leaned her head against his shoulder, and they stared out at the party.
Lily and Nate stood alone on the porch, sharing a conversation and every so often, a kiss. Wes quietly took a photo of them. Miles imagined himself there one day with Avery and squeezed her closer.
For a second he thought about asking her if she wanted a wedding like this one. But this was Lily and Nate’s big day. And he had a speech to give in a few minutes. They had plenty of time to figure out their future, which felt less scary and more natural every minute.
Avery squeezed his hip. “What a magical moment in a magical place.”
A server carrying a tray of champagne stopped in front of them. Paulson, Victoria, Hayes, and Anna Catherine stepped on either side of Miles and Avery, each grabbing a glass.
“Looks like it’s time to cut the cake,” Paulson said.
Miles glanced at Avery and pulled out his notes. “I’ve got a speech to give.”
Her warm, loving smile saidI’m right here if you need me.
“You got this.” Paulson patted his shoulder.
“Now go break a leg,” Anna said. “Make everyone cry.”
Miles threaded his fingers through Avery’s, and they walked toward Montressa’s front steps while Lily and Nate tasted their wedding cake.Glasses clinked back where his friends all stood.
“Speech!” yelled Hayes.
Miles climbed the porch steps, smiled at Lily and Nate, winked at Avery, and took a deep breath.
“Hello everyone, I’m Miles, the best man, and I grew up with Lily and Nate. I don’t need to tell you how special they are. Thank you for coming today. I think we can all agree Lily looks stunning, as we all knew she would. She’s the only one of us who could ever convince Nate to trade his L.L. Bean tuxedo for the real thing. For those of you who don’t know, an L.L. Bean tuxedo is a multi-pocketed khaki fishing vest and matching cargo shorts. Or if you’re classy or it’s cold out, cargo pants. It’s a Cooper Family staple. Even Casper has one.”
