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“Yeah, I love it.” He smiles wistfully.
“You should work for the Eagles. We can always use good physical therapists.”
“West has told me the same thing. Maybe when I have nieces and nephews to spoil, I’ll want to be closer.” He gives West a pointed stare.
West throws his head back in a laugh. “Let us get through the wedding first.”
I laugh. “Hurry up with that, West. I want to hang out with Harrison more.”
Bruce shoves my tube. “Dude, maybe he lives in a different city because he doesn’t want to see his little sister making out with his best friend.”
Harrison cringes, but his shoulders relax in relief, like Bruce gave him the perfect excuse. “Yeah, exactly. Bruce gets it.”
West chuckles. “Sorry, not sorry,” he teases, tipping his beer can into his mouth and finishing it. “Alright guys, I’m starving.”
Harrison’s eyes flick down to his watch. “Perfect, because the delivery guy just dropped off our Chipotle order.”
All the guys, even Mitch and Remy, start paddling toward the dock as fast as they can.
* * *
The following morning, we’re all dapper as hell in our wedding attire. All the groomsmen are wearing navy blue slacks with leather oxfords, and white button-down shirts with seafoam green ties. It’s a formal but casual look, fitting for a lakeside wedding.
We’re in the large guest room downstairs, leaving master bedroom to the girls. There’s only one floor-length mirror and Bruce is hogging it. He studies his tie in the mirror, touching it carefully.
“So, this is seafoam green.” His mouth quirks in approval as he nods. “Much better than I expected.”
West shoves him out of the way, sweeping a hand over his normally shaggy, blond hair, which is currently gelled to perfection. “My girl would never choose puke green. She’s got impeccable taste.” He puffs his chest out to add emphasis to his point.
West’s father bursts into the room. His eyes, grey-blue like West's, instantly fill with tears at the sight of his son getting ready to marry his dream girl.
“Wow. You’re so handsome, son! Mom and the girls wanna know if they can come in. Everybody decent?”
West chuckles. “Yep, everyone’s dressed.”
His mom and sisters file into the room and they all embrace West in a big group hug. I glance over at Remy, Bruce and Mitch, who look stiff and uncomfortable. I think we all feel like we’re intruding upon a private family moment. Clearing my throat quietly to get their attention, I raise my chin toward the door, and we subtly leave the room.
Once we’re in the quiet hallway, Remy exhales a sigh of relief. “Wow, that was emotional.”
Mitch slumps against the wall. “Ugh, is this whole day going to be emotional?”
“It’s a wedding,” I whisper.
Mitch shrugs. “So what? No one better cry at my wedding.” He shivers like the idea is horrible.
Bruce snorts quietly. “You’ll be the one crying at your wedding. Just watch.”
Mitch glares at him, causing Remy and I to snicker.
Bruce digs in the pockets of his pants and pulls out a can of shaving cream and a box of condoms. “Who wants to help me decorate West’s car?”
Mitch and Remy snicker, clearly on board with the idea.
I wave a hand. “You guys go on without me. I’m going to go see if the girls need anything,” I say, going for a nonchalant tone.
They all study me with quirked brows, seeing right through me. But they don’t say anything, and head toward the garage door in search of West’s car.
I turn, walking around the corner toward the kitchen. As soon as I round the corner, a feminine body slams into me. I steady her by gently grabbing her arms with my hands, then I realize it’s Noel simply from the vanilla, sugar-cookie scent overwhelming my senses.
