His gaze comes to me, and he smiles as it lands on the earrings he gave me this morning. Dainty rose-gold studs to match the necklace. Subtle but feminine, exactly the kind of jewelry I’d pick out for myself, if I were a jewelry kind of person.
Maybe I am, I think, as I look down at our joined hands.
With a start, I realize what we’re doing and try to tug my hand away. His grip tightens, though.
“Tate,” I whisper with urgency. “Someone will see.”
“Let them,” he says calmly. “We’re among friends. No one will say anything to the media.”
It’s true. These people would never spill a word that could hurt us or the team’s image.
He slides me a look, the corner of his mouth slipping up. “Besides, maybe this will get them to stop hounding us.”
But what does this mean, that Tate is comfortable with the team knowing about us?
What does this mean about us, about the no-strings conversation?
“What about Bea?” She’s sitting on his other side, watching Hayden and Darcy.
He turns back to the couple getting married. “I’ll talk to her.”
And what will you say?I want to ask.
“Darce,” Hayden says, and we turn our attention back to the couple. “I can’t remember a time when my thoughts didn’t revolve around you. I wanted you for years, and I would have waited forever for you. I promise to support you, to encourage you, to remind you of how much you rock when you forget.” Darcy’s smile softens even more. “I promise not to watch ahead with our favorite TV show and to always be available for kissing lessons.”
“Oh god.” She dips her head, her face going pink as people chuckle and Hayden gives her a cheeky grin.
“I will always put you first, because you’re everything to me. I love you, Darcy Andersen,” he sniffles, eyes going shiny with emotion, “and I’m going to TI-83 you for the rest of your life.”
Darcy rolls her eyes, smiling, and Tate gives me a curious look.
“It’s some weird calculator joke between them,” I whisper.
They say theirI dos, and when they kiss, Hayden dips her low. Cheers rise from the guests.
They make being in love look so easy. All of them do. Rory and Hazel, with his arm around her, sending warm, affectionate glances down at her with her baby bump. Jamie and Pippa, holding hands. Alexei and Georgia, her leaning against his side while his fingers twine in the ends of her auburn hair.
“Let’s get this party started,” Hayden calls to us and leads Darcy down the aisle.
Being alone used to seem like the best option for someone like me, but I think I’ve been wrong. I think, maybe, being surrounded by wonderful people, not just Tate but Georgia and Darcy and Hazel and Pippa, and all the guys, even Luca—I thinkthatmight be the best option.
Are you lonely, Jordan?Tate asked months ago.
Only when I think about all of this ending.
CHAPTER 77
TATE
At the wedding reception,I’m standing off to the side of the restaurant, watching Jordan twirl Bea around the dance floor, when Ross appears at my side.
“Tate.” He nods a greeting at me.
“Ross.”
We stand there in silence, watching the party.
“You seem happier, these days,” he says after a moment.
