When Rocky, the internet-approved officiant, asks, “Who gives this woman to marry this man?” Beckett doesn’t even hesitate.
“She gives herself,” he says, low but sure. “But I know she’d have her father’s blessing.”
Yeah. That’s when I have to blink up at the ceiling and pretend to examine the sprinkler system.
After a couple of practice runs, I step away to drop the boys back at the kids’ center, where they’re more than happy to get back to their dinosaur wars. By the time I’ve returned, everyone’s already moved inside for the official rehearsal dinner in the adjoining event space.
The tables are dressed beautifully, and Beckett waves me over to where he’s sitting with Tay, Rocky, Simon, and Courtney, along with Roger and Helen.
Across the room, Luna and Noah sit at the head table with the parents, Babs, and a few of Noah’s mom’s friends—ladies who all look like they play a ruthless game of bridge and throw even more ruthless charity auctions.
Tay claims the attention at our table, lifting her wine glass with a grin. “Can we take a second to acknowledge the honorable mention of today’s festivities? That contest… Men’s Best Legs… Peak. Entertainment.”
“For the record, I participated under duress,” Simon says, looking incredibly serious for the man who’d done a pirouette in front of the entire ship earlier.
“Oh, come on,” Tay says. “You loved every minute of it.”
“Not just duress,” Rocky adds. “Tequila. I blame the tequila.”
“Well, it was genius. So, cheers to our fearless party planner.” Courtney lifts her glass of water towards me.
I just shake my head. “I wish. Elise told me to have the ladies there at three. Said she had a surprise…”
“Uh-uh,” Simon says. “Elise told us it was Luna’s idea. And that she’d be seriously bummed if we bailed. Guilted us hard.”
“Well.” I grin. “I’m afraid you were duped.”
Courtney leans in, eyes twinkling. “Genius.”
“I won’t argue with that,” Tay mumbles into her glass of water. “I gotta admit, you guys did manage to pull off some impressive moves.”
Rocky raises a brow, looking at Tay. “You checking out my moves now?”
“We were the judges. It was our job,” she deadpans, sipping her drink.
Beckett is conspicuously quiet, just laughing softly.
When he shifts beside me, his knee brushes mine. Just the slightest touch. Enough to send heat rushing through me. And not from my sunburn.
It’s not fair.
I mean, I’ve only just decided to give him the benefit of the doubt—for now.
Then again, my body hasn’t exactly resisted him. If I’m going to be honest with myself, I never really wanted it to.
I exhale slowly. Take a sip of water. Will myself to chill the heck out. Putphysical connectionon the pros side of my list, and move on.
Tay tosses a wink at Beckett. “Gotta hand it to you, though. For a married man, you worked that pool deck like you were auditioning for Magic Mike: Cruise Edition.”
Beckett shrugs, all innocent. “I just let the music move me.”
His gaze flicks to mine, and my insides flutter.
Dang it.
I look away, taking in the flowers, the lights, the tulle draping around the tables, none of which I’d been responsible for. The arrangements for this dinner, I’m happy to say, are all thanks to Mrs. Grady.
Now, I just need to get through this dinner. And the actual wedding.
