“It’s okay. It’s not really for us anyway. You know all of this is for them,” he said.
“It could be a little for us, too. It’s why I booked the ballroom, so we could dance a little.”
“Don’t be stupid, Katie. We can’t dance at our rehearsal dinner. It’s bad luck.”
“Stupid?” I asked. “Since when is dancing at a dinner stupid and bad luck?”
“Hold on,” he said before returning to his prior conversation.
I was stunned. Had he really just called me stupid?
I could see some of the glances from the other women around the table, but they weren’t glances of pity. Instead, they were glances of understanding. Trying to silently soothe me into a lifestyle I had chosen. They sat with their hands crossed in their lap and their hair perfectly done. Their makeup was spot-on, and their dresses didn’t have a wrinkle in them. They were nothing but trophies to the men sitting beside them as laughter erupted from the table.
Laughter that made me wince.
Michael and I hadn’t laughed like that together in so long.
“I’m going to go get a drink.”
“You shouldn't be drinking tonight, Katie. You know how you get when you drink,” he said.
“It’s only a small glass of wine,” I said. “Would you like something? A beer, maybe?”
“Since when have you ever seen me drink beer for dinner?”
The look on his face reached out and painted that word on my forehead. Stupid. Michael was looking at me as if I was an idiot.
“Be right back,” I said, murmuring.
I got up from my chair and walked quickly. I made my way for the bar, my hands trembling as tears threatened to flood my eyes. The bartender was looking at me with a sympathetic glance as he poured me a glass of merlot, and I sipped on it as I sighed and closed my eyes.
“Ah, there she is,” a familiar voice said.
“The beautiful blushing bride.”
I glanced up and saw four gorgeous men before my eyes. My heart beat began to quicken as my eyes followed the breathtaking line of O’Conner brothers before me: Dylan, Wyatt, Andrew and Caleb.
Have mercy.
It was like looking at the cover of a GQ magazine, southern gentlemen edition. The same butterflies that flew in my belly for them in the past were back in full swing. All four brothers were clad in suits, tailored specifically to their tall muscular features.
They each had dark hair and green eyes. Their facial bone structures and sun-kissed skin made them stand out in any room.
The O’Conner brothers were tall and well-built. They had broad shoulders and muscular physiques.
I used to think that watching them walk away was as satisfying as watching them walk toward me. They all filled out a pair of jeans in a way that was downright sinful.
I embraced them all with bear hugs.
“Hey guys. It’s so great to see you all,” I said, while holding back tears.
“Well, it’s about time, doll” Dylan said, using the nickname he’d had for me since I was a kid.
“We were beginning to wonder if we’d have to wait till you walked down the aisle for
your debut,” Wyatt said.
“You look beautiful tonight, pretty lady” Andrew said, using another nickname.