Paul Theodore Newman, child of much loved Mr. and Mrs. Newman, had handled the notoriety of his name by smiling, talking, and having good friends at his side when he got into fights as a child. He had a headful of blond curls, intelligent eyes, and was a looker, but compared to Brad he paled. It wasn't fair, but as Newman was her friend she'd never looked at him any other way.
“Yeah, all that bridesmaiding must take it out of you, I'm thinking.”
“Not a word, Newman, but I take your meaning, and yes, it is exhausting, all that giggling and stuff.”
“Stuff being?”
“Annabelle and Branna are continually talking about Jake and Ethan. Then there’s the smile.”
“Smile?”
“I term it the secret lovers smile.”
“Ah, that one, gotcha, and yes, it’s bloody annoying.”
“I swear, Newman, I’m happy for them. I am, but it makes you want to bring up your lunch.”
He took her hand in his and squeezed it tight.
“Yeah, but only because we're jealous. But that'll be our little secret, okay?”
“Okay, and it's bad of us to be jealous because our friends are happy, FYI.”
“It’s normal,” he amended. “And I actually quite like my single status, thank you, but I wish I had the hots for you, Macy.”
She giggled.
“It would certainly tie things up neatly.”
“It would, but the thing is you'd murder me by the end of the first week.”
“True, and you'd think me neurotic.”
His eyes lost their humor and turned serious. “You doing okay, sweetheart?”
“Sure, I'm doing great. Really,” Macy added as he looked doubtful. “It’s just that coming to a wedding reminds me of the fact that mine was empty. That ridiculous grand ceremony and all the trimmings that went with it were all just a silly girl’s foolish dreams.”
“Not so foolish.” Newman kissed her cheek. “It was your dream, Macy, and dreams should happen for sweet little girls. Promise me you won't give up on finding them again.”
Macy swallowed the snort of denial and instead nodded. “Promise.”
“And now I have to dance with that really hot chick in the tight orange dress.”
“You're so loose, Newman.”
“Damn straight, you should try it sometime.”
Getting to her feet after he had left, she thoughtyes!Damn it, she should. Grabbing her bag, she wound her way circuitously through the guests so no one close to her would realize what she was doing. Reaching the door, she slipped out and turned right.
Brad was where he'd said he'd be, standing beside his bike. Big and black, with gleaming polished chrome, it looked as formidable as him. His arms were folded, legs parted, eyes on her as she approached.
“Sorry, I got delayed by Newman.”
“Newman being?”
“Another protector.”
“I like that so many people care about you, Macy,” he said, picking up his helmet and lowering it onto her head. “But I swear, I have never been the recipient of so many threatening looks in my life before.”
