“You may now kiss the bride.”
“Oh, that was lovely.”
Beside her, Branna was wiping away tears, her green eyes swimming as she dabbed a tissue on her cheeks. Thick dark hair and those green eyes showed her heritage, and the soft Irish brogue merely confirmed it.
“Yes, it was beautiful.”
“You weeping again, rosebud?”
“No.” Branna sniffed as Jake took her hand so they could sign the register together.
“Right, must be something setting you off in here then,” he drawled.
“So my guess is that you're next, Buster.”
Buster moved to Macy’s side while the formalities were concluded.
“The hell you say!”
“You're so far under, Griffin, there is no hope for you but to marry that beautiful girl.”
“Willow is the best part of me, Macy, and I'll thank you not to tell her that.”
“Oh God. I held it together through the service and then you go and say something like that.”
“What can I say, I'm a romantic.” He gave her a small smile. Buster was not one for big anything. He was contained, spoke when he had something to say, but was rarely demonstrative unless Willow was around.
“It's wonderful is what it is, Buster.”
He touched her chin.
“I want it for you too, sweet cheeks, and I know it will happen when the time's right.”
From anyone else she would simply shrug or laugh it off, but not this man. When he spoke, most people listened.
“I was thinking Newman?” Macy tried to lighten the moment, because she wanted it too, more and more lately, no matter how hard she told herself she didn't or couldn’t have it.
“Nah, he's a lightweight.”
“I'm telling him you said that.”
“The guy has an ego on him, Macy, nothing can dent it.”
“That’s true.” Newman was another friend, and like her he was still single.
She found the man in the aviators again. He was still there in the back pew.
“Did you see that guy come in? Do you know who he is, Buster?”
He followed her eyes.
“No, never seen him before.”
“He's wearing jeans and a white t-shirt. Don’t you think that’s odd?”
“Very odd, but then this is Howling, no saying what people get up to here.” As the bride and groom were now ready to leave, he held out his arm to her. “Takes all kinds I guess, and he could just be a nosey tourist.”
“True.” But for some reason Macy doubted that.
