Bex paused. “Well, I didn’t do it at the actual wedding because I was pregnant and out of my mind. I kind of wanted the day to just … be over.”
“Plus you couldn’t exert yourself in your condition,” Dan said, sharing a glance with his wife.
“That’s right,” Bex said with a crooked smile. “But things are very different now.”
I looked between them as they giggled away. “You two are so weird. Fine, we’ll do the toss, but whoever catches it better have a delicate touch.” The bouquet Bex had selected was stunning, made of lush roses; it had cost a bomb. I’d hate to see it damaged.
We hurried out of the dressing room and to the stairs. Dan and Bex descended first, to cheers and whoops from the guests below. Elliot waited for me at the bottom, mouthwatering as ever in his tux, and I had to watch my step as I walked down; he still had that effect on me.
“You look incredible,” Elliot said, as I arrived at the foot of the stairs.
“Some might say, bewitching,” I said.
He pulled me close and landed a soft kiss. “How are you holding up?” We’d flown in two days ago, taking advantage of a break in the post-production schedule ofTwin Roses. Tomorrow, we were traveling down to London to screen the rough cut of the movie for the London Film Festival, then back to LA for meetings with one of our distributors, before going on to New York to continue finishing the film.
“I’m awake,” I said, although jetlag was something I would never get used to. “Oh, could you remind me to set up a call with—”
“Hey.” He arched an eyebrow. “No shoptalk tonight. It’s about us.”
“Actually it’s about Bex and Dan,” I corrected him.
“Right,” he said. “But I’m serious. I know things are crazy, but could you manage to take tonight off?”
I raised my hands defensively. “Fine, fine.” My life was richer than it had ever been, but it was also relentlessly busy. “A break is why we’re here.”
Elliot stepped back, drank me in. “We’re having fun tonight.”
“Stop looking at me like that.” I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep my hands off him.
“Never,” he swore. People around us suddenly began to move towards the garden doors. “Come on, let’s get the best vantage point.”
“Vantage point?” I repeated. “You make it sound like a military operation.”
We headed out to the garden, Dan’s pride and joy. To counteract the autumn chill, a tent with heaters had been erected and lovingly decorated with flowers and festoon lighting. The overall effect was chic yet magical, and I grinned. Elliot was right; Iwasgoing to have fun tonight.
“Single ladies, report to the dance floor!” Bex purred. She and Dan were stationed by the DJ booth, mic in hand. A handful of ladies and Dan’s nieces obediently moved into position.
“Let’s move closer,” Elliot suggested. “Can’t really see here.”
“Okay.” Although I was surprised he cared – he’d agreed with my and Bex’s initial stance on bouquet tosses. But it was important to support Bex, so we pushed forward.
“Hmm. Kind of a weak showing,” Bex said. “I want to see real fireworks when I throw this. Okay, allunmarriedladies.”
“That means you too,” Elliot gave me a nudge as several more ladies joined the waiting group.
“Uh, no way.” I shook my head. “It’s embarrassing.”
“How is it embarrassing?” He laughed, brushing my knuckles with a kiss. “Come on, loosen up.”
I softened. “Fine. But only because you look so good in that tux. Honestly, it’s immoral, using your sexuality to control me.”
Elliot shrugged. “I use the gifts I was born with, what can I say?”
I tottered onto the dance floor, already ruing my decision to break the Choos out of storage. I could see the wedding photographer snapping away, so I put my game face on, ready to pose and pretend to fight for the bouquet.
Bex’s eyes glittered as she watched me join the gaggle of women on the dance floor. “Brilliant,” she said, strangely choked. “This is happening.” She elbowed Dan, who got his camera out to start recording, and then made her way out in front of us. Immediately the jostling began, and it became clear that there was no pretending here. Dan’s Aunt Miriam adopted a rugby stance, crouching in front of us and bobbing side toside. His niece Amber elbowed me out of the way with such a sharp dig I stumbled into her older sister, Nell, who glared such daggers I feared for my life. I looked up to where I’d left Elliot, hoping to share an amused glance, but he’d clearly moved to get a better view.He’d better not film this, I thought. It was bad enough that Dan was.
“You ready?” Bex called, pretending to stretch out like an athlete.
