Page 94 of Golden Goal

I give myself one last once-over in the mirror before heading into my bedroom and grabbing my clutch and sweater. It’s early February, and some days, like today, are warm enough to go without a jacket, but it does still get chilly at night. I hope I’ll be warm enough. If I’m not, it’ll give me an excuse to be close to Holt, who I know will gladly keep me warm. Not that I need an excuse.

“Do I look okay?” I ask Holt when I step into the living room.

He sets his phone down, his eyes raking over me.

“You look amazing. If it wasn’t Brody getting married, I’d suggest we stay home.” He winks.

“Thank you.” I smooth down the hem of my navy-blue dress. “But we can’t skip it.”

He gets to his feet, adjusting the cuffs of his suit jacket.

Why is that so hot?

“I know. Come on. Let’s go.”

“Is Hadley riding with us?” I ask when we step into the hallway.

“No, she already left. She volunteered to drop Hazel off at Jenna and Caleb’s house. Jenna’s sister is in town, and she’s babysitting their kids and offered to take Hazel, too.”

“That was sweet of her,” I say as we step into the elevator.

Twenty minutes later, we’re pulling up in front of Brody and Aubrey’s house down the street from the one we saw a few weeks ago. The one he’s moving into soon. He signed the paperwork a few days ago. He puts his truck into park before getting out and coming around to my side to help me out.

“Let’s go around back.”

He leads me down the sidewalk and through a gate, then picks his way across the grass to where everyone is gathered. I’m grateful I went with flats. There’s no way I would have been able to navigate the grass in heels.

“Hey, Holt.” A woman I don’t recognize greets him before turning to me. “Hi, I’m Jenna. Caleb’s wife. I don’t think we’ve met.”

“Rebecca.” I put my hand out, and she shakes it.

“Take your seats. Wherever you want.” She gestures over her shoulder to where chairs are arranged on two sides of an aisle.

We thank her, and she steps away to greet other guests. Hadley and Sutton walk over to us before we’ve gotten far.

“Hey, big brother. Hi, Rebecca.” Hadley pulls me into a hug.

“Hi guys,” Sutton says.

Holt leans closer to me. “Will you be okay without me for a few minutes? The guys want to have a toast with the groom before the wedding.”

“Go, I’ll be fine.” I wave him away.

“Save me a seat.” He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek before turning and heading toward the house where Wes is standing.

“Hello, ladies.” Sebastian strides toward us, his hands tucked into the pockets of his black slacks.

He’s not wearing a tie or a jacket, and his long-sleeve maroon dress shirt is unbuttoned at the top. I glance between him and Sutton, who is dressed in a gorgeous knee-length maroon dress.

There’s no way he did that on purpose, right? How would he have known?

“Sebastian.” Sutton greets him with a curt nod.

“Sutton, as beautiful as ever.” He turns to me and Hadley. “Hi, Rebecca. Nice to see you again, Hadley.”

“Come on,” Sutton says, linking one of her arms through mine and the other through Hadley’s. “Let’s find seats.”

“I saved a bunch,” Hadley says. “I’ll show you.”