“Yeah, it is.”
I grinned at him. “Are you ready for this?”
He nodded, seemingly secure. Bob seemed ready.
I shivered as he pulled me closer, an icy heat lighting me from within. I wanted to be closer to him. I wanted to be next to him all night.
So I guess the real question was… Was I ready for this?
Chapter Thirteen
BOB
The barn looked spectacular. The little white lights glowed, making the space warm and inviting. A huge farm table commanded the middle of the room, and it was set with white pottery plates and wildflower centerpieces.
I wasn’t one to get excited about place settings, but even I could appreciate how amazing everything looked. “It turned out beautiful.”
Maddy nodded at me, taking in a deep breath as she surveyed the scene. Guests were trickling in. There were older couples, who were clearly friends of Maddy’s parents, dressed smartly in suits and tasteful dresses. Then there were the bride and groom’s friends. They looked to be in their twenties. Every one of the men were groomed within an inch of his life, wearing skinny suits and even skinnier ties. The young women looked fresh off an Instagram feed, with designer dresses, dewy makeup, and artfully tousled hair.
I leaned down closer to Maddy. “You’re the prettiest girl here.”
“T-thank you.” Maddy’s cheeks flushed, and I felt it—a tingle way down deep inside me. It was more than a tingle, though. It was more like a pull, as if she were metal and my dick was a magnet. I wanted to run my hands over her face, down her sides, and I wanted to—
Down boy, I warned myself again.
She gripped my hands. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.” I meant it.
“Hey, guys!“ A pretty mocha-skinned woman with long brown hair and tons of gold bangles came up and engulfed us in a tight hug. “Oh my God, it’s so good to see you! And you are both so hot!“ The woman took a step back and looked at us appreciatively. “Maddy, honey, I’ve never seen you in red before. And I’ve never seen you in a dress that revealing! You go girl, you look amazing!“ She turned to me. “And you are a fine specimen of male virility. I’m not even into that, but I am totally into you!”
Maddy laughed. “Bob, this is my cousin Claire. In case you couldn’t tell, Claire’s a little bit crazy. Claire, this is my boyfriend, Bob. He is a very nice man, and he does not need to be exposed to your vile, but well-intentioned, remarks.“
I reached for the woman and hugged her. When I released her, I smiled. “Claire, it’s an honor to meet you. Madison has told me a lot about you.”
“I am not sure what’s going on here—I thought you two weren’t really a thing.” Claire pointed between us. “But I sense otherwise. And I like it. I like it a lot.”
Madison blushed and cleared her throat. “All that’s going on here is that we’re heading to the bar directly before we have to talk to anyone else in my family. And”—Madison grabbed one of Claire’s hands and one of mine—“That’s a direct order from your team leader.“ She dragged us toward the bar, and both Claire and I laughed.
“I love it when Madison is bossy.” Claire looked at me. “I bet you do too, Bob.”
“I think she’s pretty good at it.”
Madison hustled to the front of the line and smiled prettily at the closest bartender. “Three vodka martinis with extra olives.” She glimpsed at us. “Is that okay with you?”
Claire and I both nodded. By the two hectic spots of color in Madison’s cheeks, I could tell she was on a mission and I should just stay out of her way. Or better yet, stand beside her and match her drink for drink.
“Cheers!” Madison clinked her glass against ours. “Let the games begin!”
Claire turned around, leaned up against the bar, and inspected the crowd in the room. “There’s a lot of pretty people here. A lot of Botox, too.” She cursed. “I should’ve bought that pharmaceutical stock while I had the chance.”
“I kind of love the Botox,” Madison said. She took a large sip of her drink. “It’s great with my mother. I have no idea if her expression is disapproving or not.” She laughed and drank a little bit more.
Speaking of Aileen Delaney, the mother of the bride entered the barn, and there was a collective gasp. My own jaw dropped when she came into sight. She wore a plunging strapless black gown. I wasn’t sure what, besides duct tape and God’s will, was holding it up. Nothing else would fit underneath it. She sashayed over to us, and both Claire and Maddy’s eyeballs almost popped out of their heads.
“Aunt Aileen,” Claire said. “Wow. Just…wow.”
Aileen struck a pose. “Mermaid dresses are very in, you know.”