That’s how I felt every day in school.I wish I had gone to the North Shore School.Maybe I would have learned more.
Carli moved in and wrapped him in a hug.He returned the embrace.
If you’re with Mercedes, just make sure to be good to her.If you’re not serious, then…
I want to be good enough.
You are.If you ever need any help from me with reading or writing, you only have to ask.
Evan grinned.No need.Mercedes is always available, and her English is even better than yours.
Carli glared at him humorously.Glad you have someone at your beck and call.She gave him another hug and sauntered into the living room.
He followed slightly behind but paused in the doorway.Mercedes sat chatting with the rest of the family, her signing perfect.
Suddenly, the things that had niggled in his brain earlier came flooding back.The fact she could speak his language was one of the things he loved about her.One of the things.There were many.He’d always loved her in a family and friend way.When had it started to be a little more?
Chapter Twenty-Three
The bridal party waited in the back of the chapel for the wedding coordinator to finish explaining the procedure.Blake and his brother, Harrison, who was his Best Man, stood near the front.Obviously, they didn’t need to know who was walking down with whom or how fast to go.
Like at Carli and Blake’s engagement party, Evan looked so different out of his everyday worn jeans and t-shirt.He had on a dark button down with black pants, his new black dress shoes, and a tie.Mercedes had needed to help him tie it, but it was little more than another excuse to get close to him.Not that they’d needed a reason recently.It was only kissing, and maybe a little canoodling, as her grandmother always called it.Whatever it was, it got her motor running.Hopefully, Evan was getting something out of it as well.He certainly seemed as out of breath as she was when they eased away from each other.
For the wedding, they’d hired several interpreters, but tonight she and Brian were doing translation duties for Evan and Deanna.Carli had worn her CIs and was paying rapt attention to the coordinator.Their dad, Mike, only had to walk Carli down the aisle so he wasn’t paying as close attention.
“Let’s see if we can get this perfect on the first try,” the coordinator said.“Line up with your partner.Deanna, you go before Carli.”
Mercedes and Brian terped the instructions and got in line.The wedding party wasn’t big.She and Evan were partnered up, something she was grateful for now.Annie was partnered with Brian, and Deanna was the Maid of Honor.
Don’t screw this up, Mercedes teased Evan as they waited for the music to start.
I can’t hear the music, so you’re responsible for when I start walking and how fast.I can’t be blamed for this if we make a mistake.
He had a point, so she sighed and signed,You’re right.Follow my lead.
I’ll follow you anywhere, especially dressed like that.He waggled his eyebrows in a ridiculous manner, and she laughed.
The dress she had on was something she’d worn to a family wedding last year.Fall colors blended together in a swirly flower and leaf pattern.The plunging neckline enhanced her ample chest, and the cinched waist showcased her tiny middle.The bottom of the dress flowed almost to her ankles, and she loved the long billowy sleeves that had kept her warm against tonight’s chill breeze.With Evan as tall as he was, she could wear her three-inch heels and still be shorter than him.It was also much easier to kiss him with her heels while they were standing.
You’re looking dapper yourself.Oh, the music.We’re first.
Mercedes slipped her hand through Evan’s extended elbow and slowly stepped down the aisle.Annie and Brian followed a respectable distance behind.She couldn’t tell when Deanna started walking, as they were already down near the front, and she didn’t want to turn around.
Evan had no compunction about craning his neck to see what was happening behind them.When everyone got to the front, the coordinator gave them more instructions.
“Make sure to keep your gaze ahead the entire way down the aisle.Even when you get up here, stay focused on this point.”She indicated where the bride and groom would stand for the ceremony.
When Mercedes interpreted the words, Evan gave a sly grin.That was meant for me, huh?
Maybe.Now pay attention to what we do up here.
He winked but watched her as she signed where they would stand and what they were expected to do during the ceremony.
Fortunately, the wedding party was able to pick up the simple directions easily enough, and when they walked through the entire process the second time, they made no mistakes.
When they were dismissed, Evan jumped in with Mercedes in her car—his truck was too dusty for their nice clothes—to head to the restaurant for the rehearsal dinner.Since Blake’s parents were responsible for this part of the wedding, they’d chosen an upscale place where Mercedes would never be able to afford dinner, short of marrying a wealthy man.
Her gaze traveled to Evan, who was seated beside her.He certainly wasn’t wealthy, though he made a decent wage.Not that she was thinking of marriage at this point in their relationship.They’d only been kissing for a few weeks.Would a time ever come when she’d be making wedding plans with Evan as the groom?Her feelings for him had grown so much in the time they’d been living together.
