Before I can respond, two bridesmaids stroll in.
My mom’s protective genes kick in, so she hustles me out of the bathroom. Sadie follows, citing urgent wedding business.
“Wait!” my sister’s best friend from high school calls after us.
“Are you with Ronan Masters?” her former roommate from college cries.
I wave at them, pretending I don’t hear.
We burst out of the bathroom to find that the man we’ve been discussing is holding up the wall in the narrow hallway.
He unfolds his long, broad body in slow motion, which has me awestruck.
“Hey.” It’s his evergreen greeting, apparently good for all occasions.
“Hey,” I return, feeling shy now that my champagne buzz has started to wear off.
“Hi!” My mom eyes him up and down.
“Hello.” Sadie looks fierce in a body-hugging pale-pink dress and wild head of blue curls.
Ronan doesn’t smile. He seems wary. It must be tough to never be sure how someone will react around you.
“I have your magazine. The one where you’re shirtless on the cover.” My mom fans herself. “Aren’t you just the whole snack.”
“Mother!” Red suffuses my cheeks. Again.
“Thanks.” He’s fighting a smile.
“I’m sorry. Ronan, please meet my mother, Sandra, who is obviously quite well acquainted with you and your abs. And this is my friend Sadie.”
He tips his head in greeting. “Hey.”
I stare at my mom and Sadie, but they don’t get my subliminal message.
“Don’t you both have somewhere else important to be?” I say as sweetly as I can muster.
“It’s obvious we’re not wanted here,” my mom huffs. “Dear, please make sure to ask Ronan about the video. My followers are counting on you.”
“Okay. That’s it. You two need to go. Now.” I turn to Ronan when they leave. “My mom is a little eccentric. And she has more energy than anyone I’ve ever known.”
“You’re kind of like her.”
“Ha. I’m not social media famous like she apparently is.”
“You’re young. You have time.”
“So…”
“So…” he repeats. “Do you have to stay here any longer?”
I shake my head. “No. I’ve done everything. My duties ended, and my sister and Brad left.”
“Don’t look now, but your ex is on his way toward us again.”
I turn and see that Ronan is right.
Derek is being led by Monique, who is striding toward us.
