He squeezed my hand and hurried off.
When I glanced up, my brother was watching me instead of his bride, a frown marring his forehead. He whispered something to her then crossed the floor to me.
“You abandoning Caitlyn already?” I joked. “So much for my toast.”
He took my arm and drew me away from the crowded table behind me. “I’m worried about you.”
“What? Why?”
“I see how you look at him,” he said. “You’re in love with Silas.”
Hearing it said so bluntly made my heart lodge in my throat. I knew I cared for him. I knew I’d wait as long as it took for him to trust enough to commit to something real, something lasting.
But I hadn’t allowed myself to think about the wordlove.
“Don’t deny it,” Branson said. “You’re a goner.”
“I know,” I said harshly. “You’re not telling me anything I don’t know, okay?”
“Okay,” he said, softening his tone. “I just want you to have this, too. You deserve to be loved. Don’t settle for crumbs, man.”
A bell rang through the room, catching our attention. “Time for cake! Let’s have the bride and groom up here, please,” the DJ said. “We want to see some kissing!”
There were whistles and cheers as Branson rejoined Caitlyn and dipped her into a dramatic kiss while everyone watched. I glanced around the reception hall, but there was no sign of Silas.
Branson met my eye as he cut the cake. I nodded to reassure him. He meant well. But he didn’t know Silas’s story or why trust was so difficult for him. He didn’t know the promises I’d already made.
He’d just have to trust that I could take care of my heart while he took care of his.
CHAPTER 25
A good relationship is like a delicious casserole. Only those making it really know what they put into it!
— MATCHMAKING MAMAS
Silas
“Hey, you got a minute?”
I turned to see Branson following me. In matching tuxes, the twins looked a lot alike, but Branson wore an emerald vest that set him apart from the groomsmen.
“Hey, I know the sound isn’t great. I’m on my way to talk to the DJ?—”
“No.” He laid his hand on my arm. “That’s not it.”
The serious tone of his voice pulled me up short. I turned to him. “Is everything okay?”
“I’m hoping you can tell me.”
I blinked, glancing around at the wedding reception. Everything had gone off without a hitch. Static cut through the music playing on the sound system. Okay, almost withouta hitch. There’d been a few hiccups, like Percy throwing a hissy fit when Maverick wouldn’t let him rearrange all the table settings. He’d been surreptitiously skulking around the room, moving flowers around whenever people weren’t looking, but of all the trouble hecouldmake, we were getting off easy. I’d even caught a glimpse of him dancing with a dark-haired emo-looking guy who’d gazed up at Percy like…well, likenobodyelse did.
“I’m not sure what you mean, Branson,” I said slowly. “Is there something you’re unhappy with here?”
“It’s not about the reception.” He grimaced. “I’m leaving on my honeymoon tonight, so I feel like I have to say this now, Silas. You’ve been a great wedding planner and a great friend to Caitlyn. I can’t thank you enough for seeing her through all those months of planning when I couldn’t be here.”
“Caitlyn is great. I was happy to do it.”
He nodded. “But I’m not so sure you’re great for my brother.”
