But then I notice someone, and I do a double take while my jaw lowers from surprise.
Next to the cake table is a woman standing in a light green dress with short off-the-shoulder sleeves, her hair down in waves.
Harlow.
She’s here.
And she’s standing patiently by the table and surveying the room, hopefully searching for me. No wonder Vaughn told me to check out the cake.
My feet don’t move, instead I stay put to take in the view of Harlow, and when our eyes meet, a smile sweeps across her face. Her cute little wave appears, as if she’s nervous, and hell, maybe I am too. We haven’t exactly been in a clear frame of mind lately.
I give up on the scotch and stride straight to her. “You’re here.”
“Yeah.” Her voice sounds delicate. “Thought I would be a wedding crasher.”
“I don’t think it counts as being a wedding crasher if you’re invited.”
“I guess not. Anyhow, I wanted to be here earlier and surprise you, but my flight was delayed. When I got here, Stuart seemed to have a soft spot for me, so I smiled sweetly, and he let me into your room, ignoring protocol. You mentioned in your email that you’re staying here so you can drink and avoid duck crossings at night.” She’s almost rambling, yet her face stays straight.
I step closer to her, inhaling her flowery scent, still in doubt if she’s here in reality. “I’m not hallucinating, right? The expensive whiskey might be good but not so phenomenal that it has me imagining you’re here.”
Harlow blushes, and her shoulder pops forward while she glances down to hide her happiness, only to drive her eyes back up to meet mine. “This might count as crazy, considering we’ve been on a… pause. Then suddenly I’m here as though all is well. I’m not sure?—”
I interrupt her. “It’s a wedding, rules can be bent.”
Her eyes sparkle, hopeful. “In that case, will you kiss me already?”
I chuckle before I run my hand through her hair to pull her mouth to mine and kiss her warmly and longingly.
Logic and our blurred status can go out on the lake in a canoe, because tonight we can just be in a moment.
My tongue slips into her mouth, and I kiss her deeper, pulling her snug against my body. She begins to smile against my lips as she drags her mouth away with a struggle.
“Wow, the best man has some skills,” she rasps against the corner of my mouth.
“You have no idea,” I growl with a low tone.
Keeping her in my hold, I soak in the fact that she’s here. “I hadn’t heard from you and just assumed you weren’t coming.”
Harlow plays with the buttons on my shirt. “Yeah, well, wedding dates are neutral territory, and I didn’t want to leave you hanging despite where things are between us. Sorry I missed the vows or speech if you gave any or the critical flower toss.”
I lick my lips. “They didn’t do the bouquet throwing yet, so you’re still in the running,” I tease.
“What a shame I haven’t been practicing my catching skills.” Our eyes lock with an underlying hope of something we haven’t talked about but would probably want one day. “So, what does a wedding date have to do to get a dance around here?”
My fingers sweep across the bare curve of her shoulder. “Well, probably not wear this dress which is a fucking distraction.” She laughs, looking proud that she got that reaction from me. Glancing over my shoulder at people making fools of themselves to some ridiculous club tune, I decide that isn’t for us. “I have a better idea.” I offer her my hand that she easily takes with an intriguing glint in her eyes.
“Uh-oh, Stone has another mystery in store for me. Last time I ended up fully clothed in a swimming pool.”
We head in the direction of the terrace. “A damn shame it wasn’t swimming naked, but ah, another time.”
Harlow giggles as she follows me outside, and I notice her confused facial expression when we walk past the terrace and straight to the dock.
“But seriously now, what are we doing?”
My brother and Isla thought of every detail for their wedding, including rowboats for guests to have some time on the lake. Grabbing a lantern hanging on one of the poles, I hold it up. “A cruise on the lake.”
Harlow stares blankly at the boat, unsure if I’m for real. “As in…”
