“I’m going, I’m going…bro.”
And that’s how Hutch ends up chasing his own groomsman through the reception hall.
“What the hell!” Lilah shrieks, kicking off her heels and chasing after them, likely trying to stop Hutch from committing murder and leaving his new wife without a husband.
“They’d better watch out. She’s fast,” Fox remarks, grinning after his girl.
It’s strange because it doesn’t feel like we’re at a wedding at all. Sure, we’re all dressed up, and there are several people I’ve never seen before in my life, but it’s almost like we’re just sitting at Top Shelf, having a few drinks, and shooting the breeze.
It’s still miles better than the reception Chloe and I had. Our parents—mostly hers—were still upset about the wedding, and her mother sat at their table all night, pouting. It was already done, though. We were married, and that was all that mattered to me.
It’s still all that matters. I lay my hand on her thigh, almost like I need the reminder that she’s here, and she puts her palm on top of it without breaking conversation with Quinn.
I was right—Chloe looks gorgeous in her dress. It’s floor-length, satiny copper, and fucking stunning with her dark red hair swept up in an elegant bun. Her makeup is heavier than usual, but it doesn’t make her any less beautiful. Actually, it makes me want to take her by the hand and lead her into a dark closet where I can have my way with her.
I squeeze her thigh, and she returns the gesture, still locked in conversation. I have no idea what they’re gabbing about, but I’m glad she has someone to talk to. She was different the other night after coming home from dress shopping, and I can’t quite place my finger on what it is, but I’m guessing it has a lot to do with “the girls,” as she called them.
I’m happy she’s finally found friends outside of Talia. No offense to her, of course, but I always hoped Chloe would find someone closer than Tennessee. I always had my teammates for connection, but who did she have besides me?
The tempo of the music slows down, and the deejay comes over the PA system.
“All right, guys, gals, and pals. It’s time to invite all the couples on the floor. We have a special request from—hang on, I want to make sure I’m reading this right.” He squints at the napkin in his hand. “Looks like it’s from Lawless. He says this one is for Cal. You know who you are, with a heart drawn on it. So, Cal, if you’re still out there, this one is for you!”
I groan, tossing my head back as the chords of “At Last” by Etta James flow through the speakers.
“I hate him.”
Chloe laughs from beside me. “You wish you did.”
“No wishing, Clover. It’s true.”
She presses her lips to my cheek. “Liar. Now, are you going to ask me to dance or not?”
I quirk a brow at her. “Do you want to?”
We’ve been to many weddings over the years, being on so many different teams with guys in various stages of life, so this isn’t our first reception together. As such, I can perfectly recall how I always had to coax her to dance, and most of the time we’d end up just sitting in one spot all night, never once setting foot on the floor.
She lifts a shoulder. “Yeah, why not?”
“How many white wines have you had, and what have you done with my wife?”
A giggle bubbles out of her. “Only two, and you know it takes far more than that to get me drunk. Let’s dance, loverboy.”
I grin at the nickname, then rise to my feet and hold my hand out to her. “May I?”
She grins as she slips her palm against mine, and I sweep her away from the table just as Hayes does the same with Quinn. I wrap Chloe in my arms, looking around to find that all the Serpents Singles are out here. It’s funny to think we ever made that little promise in the first place. Funny thatIdid, especially since I was well aware that love doesn’t always wait. Sometimes it finds you in the least likely of all places, like a creative writing course you were wrongly assigned to and had to fight to stay in after the error was discovered.
“I forgot how good a dancer you are,” Chloe says, her fingers tangling in the ends of my hair, which I cut just for this occasion. “Remind me to thank your mother again for forcing you into those lessons.”
My parents were pleased when I told them Chloe was moving in with me, even though I have no idea how permanent it really is. All they wanted to know was if I’m happy, and when I told them yes, they didn’t care beyond that. They still love her just as much as I do.
“She misses you, you know.” I brush a hair out of her face, then put my hand back on her hip. “You should call her.”
“She’s not…mad at me?”
“What? No. Why would she be mad?”
“Because…I left you.”
