“What? I don’t want her to change.”
“Not in a bad way. I just mean the tension she held before it has gone. She looks lighter, freer.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ria dancing with Hunter. She does look free as he throws her around to the fast and upbeat song the DJ is playing. Her smile is so broad it takes over her whole face, giving me the urge to run to her.
“She looks good, right?” Jade says brightly.
“She always looks good.”
“Ugh, I love this side of you so much. Why are you dancing with me? Go get her, you fool.” She giggles. “Mr. Stone?” Hunter pauses dancing with Ria, and Jade crooks her finger.
“Yes, Tink?” Hunter walks toward us along with Ria. She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip as she approaches, and my stomach flips at her sheer beauty.
“Dance with me,” Jade demands.
“But I'm just dancing with Ria.”
Jade grabs his hands, pulling him toward her. “I wasn't asking”—she brings her lips to his ear—“husband.” My best friend actually shivers and sweeps Jade up and carries her off.
“Those two are ridiculously in love.” Ria sighs.
“Yep.” I sweep my arm around her waist, and she settles into my side. My whole body molds into hers as she wraps her arm softly across my stomach, lightly grazing the tips of her fingers beneath the waistband of my trousers, and I suck in a sharp breath. “You look like you’re having fun, baby.” Trailing my fingers across the exposed flesh at the base of her spine, I feel her shudder.
“I could be having more fun.” She tilts her face up, a hint of desire twinkling in her irises.
“That can be arranged.” Cupping her face with my free hand, I bring our lips together for a gentle kiss. The softness of her lips against mine has me battling to pull away and not take this further in front of all our friends and families. “I need to announce the bouquet toss,” I whisper against her lips, releasing a ragged breath. “But I’ll be right back.”
“You’re such a tease.”
“That’s the point.” Stroking my thumb across her jaw, I take her lips in mine again before quickly pulling away. “Your reward will be worth it—trust me, baby.” Reluctantly, I release her and stride away, catching glances of her over my shoulder as I walk to the stage.
Kai claps me on the back as I pass him. “Looks like my work here is done. I wonder who my next target will be?”
“I’m not sure you did anything.”
“Pfft. I did plenty. If it wasn’t for me pushing you and giving you that list which I know you read…” He looks at me expectantly, and I nod to appease him because I one hundred percent did not read the list. “You’d still be wandering around love drunk wearing your rubber gloves, turning tin cans around in circles, and buying random tiny trees.”
“I’d have figured it out.”
“Okay, you keep thinking that, and I’m going to look for someone else to make their dreams come true. Who will be the next to benefit from my expert love advice?” He looks out over the dance floor and taps his chin.
“You know, you could use your own expertise and find love yourself.”
“No, no, I have too much advice to offload. I can’t be selfish.” He laughs but it’s forced as he nervously looks around the room. “You know, I might start a secret Instagram account to share my love tips.”
“That sounds dirty. Don’t say love tips.”
“If your brain went there then that’s your filthy mind. I think I need to brainstorm this. People could message me their problems and I could tell them how to turn their love problem into a love story.”
“So you’d be a ’90s agony aunt from the magazineSeventeen.”
“My wisdom needs to be spread far and wide.”
“Again, sounds dirty.”
“And this is where I walk away. Happy you’re happy and in love. You’re welcome.” He bows his head slightly. “But as you can’t take my idea to shower everyone with my love tips seriously, I’ll leave you to be disgustingly happy thanks to me.” He backs away into the crowd, and my shoulders shake as I laugh to myself.
The music stops and everyone pauses dancing, all their eyes on me as I stretch to take the microphone the DJ offers when I reach his booth. Clearing my throat, my tone is bright as I address the crowd, “Ladies and gentlemen. It’s time for the bouquet toss.” The room erupts in cheers and feet stamping as flocks of women gather on the dance floor, but I tilt my head as Ria stays put. She shakes her head and brings her hand to her chest and taps her finger against the beautiful engagement ring wrapped around her delicate finger. A flush of heat travels from my toes right through to hit me straight in my heart, and I have to swallow down the emotion clogging my throat. She is the only woman I would have ever considered worthy of my mom’s ring, and knowing she wears it so proudly, my heart has never felt so full. “Now our beautiful bride, Mrs. Jade Stone.” The crowd cheers again even louder as Jade blushes, and Hunter has never looked prouder as he stands tall and grins down at Jade. “Sounds good, doesn’t it, brother?” I say, winking at my best friend, but I flick my gaze back to Ria knowing I want Ria to be called Mrs. Ria Brent permanently. “As I was saying, the new Mrs. Stone will now throw her bouquet, and we all know what that means for the lucky lady who catches it, so get ready, ladies. And gentlemen, get saving.”
