Icould treat her better. I’m about to speak when I realize her breathing is getting deep and even. She’s about to fall asleep and I’m getting tired myself, so I close my eyes and bask in the peace I feel with her in my arms.
CHAPTER NINE
Tristan
The day ofthe wedding is chaotic from the moment it begins. I volunteer to run to the tux rental shop when it turns out we’re somehow missing a pair of cuff links, Lucas’s shoes are the wrong size, and there’s a small white spot on the bottom of my jacket that looks like someone might have spilled bleach on it.
I appreciate the break away from the craziness of the wedding preparations, and by the time I return, it’s nearly time for the ceremony to begin. We all line up in place, and I wait with Paige, the bridesmaid I’m walking with, but my eyes keep drifting to Kaylee. All the women in the bridal party are wearing the same style of dress, but hers is a darker purple, identifying her as the maid of honor. The front has a deep V-neck that shows off the swell of her breasts and I can’t stop thinking about a repeat of last night.
Mark comes up to her, taking his position beside her, and I have to work to keep the scowl off my face. I didn’t like seeing them walk arm in arm last night, and I doubt I’ll enjoy it any more today. What I like even less is the way Mark looks at her, as if he realizes he made a mistake and has lost something precious.
But as we stand under the archway, Kaylee’s eyes lock on mine and that’s enough to give me peace. And for me to come to a stunning realization. I don’t want this to end. Thisthingwe have between us isn’t fake for me anymore, and I want to see where it goes after the wedding weekend is over.
Before I can contemplate further, the music starts and it’s time to walk down the aisle. The ceremony runs smoothly andafter, we all head inside for the reception. When I get to the wedding party’s assigned table, I discover I’m not seated next to Kaylee. Instead, I’m sitting between Mark and Lucas while Kaylee is between Ashley and Rainey. I console myself with the fact that at least she’s not next to Mark. I’d hate for him to ruin her day by pressuring her or giving her a hard time.
After we eat, the dinging of a fork against a glass of champagne rings out, quieting the room. The DJ hands Kaylee the microphone, and she flashes a bright smile at everyone before she begins her maid-of-honor speech.
“Hi, everyone. My name is Kaylee, and I’m the maid of honor. Ashley is my cousin, but in a lot of ways, I’ve always thought of her as the sister I never had. We were thick as thieves growing up, and now that we’re adults, we’re even closer. So, I know this woman better than most people, and I can confidently say I’ve never seen her so happy.
“Eric completes her in a way that you read about in books, the ones with swoon-worthy heroes. Ashley and Eric share the kind of love people think isn’t real until they see it for themselves, and that’s because they’re right for each other in every way. When you find that person, the one that fits you perfectly, you hold on tight and never let go. And that’s why we’re here today. This wedding is the beginning of a long and happy life for one of the best couples I know, so please raise your glass to Ashley and Eric.”
There is applause and we all drink to Kaylee’s toast, as she hands her microphone over to Mark. His speech is similar to Kaylee’s. He talks about the importance of finding the right person and what a good match Ashley and Eric are. But his eyes shift from the crowd to look directly at Kaylee, and my free hand curls into a fist. “I commend Eric for winning Ashley’s heart,” Mark says. “After all, it’s important to seize the moment and make sure the woman you love knows how much she matters toyou.” His attention moves back to Ashley and Eric as he also calls for everyone to raise their glass and toast the happy couple.
I’m waiting for my chance to go to Kaylee. When, finally, the dancing starts, I rise and walk over to her, holding out my arm. “Can I have this dance?”
Her face lights up, and she takes my hand, letting me pull her out of her seat. “Are you sure you can slow dance?” she asks teasingly as we head to the dance floor. “It’s not like the twerking I see in your club.”
I laugh. “I’ll have you know I’m a very accomplished ballroom dancer. My grandmother wanted me to learn how to do it, so she insisted I take lessons for a whole year.” I can’t say I liked it at the time, but it’s come in handy as an adult.
“You’re just full of surprises,” she tells me.
I agree. I’m surprised by the possessiveness I feel toward her after Mark’s little speech. I’ve never really had that reaction to a woman before. It’s one of the reasons I’ve ended so many relationships. But now? I want Kaylee to be mine and for everyone to know it. I hold her body tight against me as we sway on the dance floor, hoping Mark sees and understands he’s missed his chance. Not that I’m paying any attention to where he is. My focus is on Kaylee and the way her smile lights up the room. With her in my arms, all I can think about is me taking off that sexy dress later tonight, before I lose all patience and strip her naked.
For now, I’m happy to stand close, and we dance to two songs. The third is just beginning when she stops moving on the dance floor. “I need a drink,” she says.
We head to our table, my hand on her lower back, when I see Eric. “I’m going to talk to the groom,” I tell Kaylee. “I’ll be right back.”
“Go ahead. I’ll be guzzling water at my seat,” she says, laughing.
Aware I plan to slip away early tonight to take Kaylee back to our room, I want to wish my good friend all the best. Once I have that taken care of, it’s time for the bride and groom to cut the cake, so we all gather around the special table, watching as they hold the knife together and slice into the white confection.
I take it all in, but I also glance around, wondering where Kaylee disappeared to. When I don’t see her, I decide to track her down. After Eric holds out a piece of cake to Ashley, I’m ready to go when someone touches my arm.
Turning, I see a stranger beside me. The woman is probably in her mid-twenties and wearing a little too much perfume. It overwhelms me as she stands so close.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but you just look so familiar to me. Have we met before?” she asks, batting her eyelashes along with the bad pickup line, but maybe I’m wrong.
“I don’t think so. My name is Tristan.”
She leans in closer. “Cindy. I’m a friend of Ashley’s. But I don’t know anyone else here. Maybe you can be my friend?” she asks coyly.
There’s no mistaking the look in her eyes now, and she’s definitely not asking for friendship. I open my mouth to turn her down, already starting to pull my arm away, when the small hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Lifting my head, I see the crowd around us has shifted, and ten feet away, Kaylee is standing, watching us. Her pretty eyes aren’t sparkling and I know she’s misinterpreting what she sees.
Especially when she turns away and walks in the other direction.
“Excuse me,” I say to Cindy, and weave my way through the mingling guests in search of my girl.
CHAPTER TEN
