“I wouldn’t, silly,” I said, feeling guilty for even suggesting it. “He keeps watching us, though.”
“He’s working through something, evidently,” Morgan said around a bite of lettuce.
“Do you wonder if he’s thought about you over the years?”
“Don’t know and don’t care,” Morgan said.
“You sure?” My heart was jackhammering.
“What’s come over you?” Morgan asked, and I needed to ask myself the same question. I was acting like a big, possessive ape. “He was a dick. No way would I want anything to do with him.”
“Ignore me,” I replied just as they started serving the food. Thank God.
The rest of the evening was fun as we ate and drank, reminisced and laughed, and at one point, Dawson even answered a question from Ryan that included Morgan in the discussion. I didn’t think he realized it, but Ryan sure did because he winked at Morgan as if he’d magically solved the rift between them. If only he knew. But even if he did, he’d probably surprise Dawson with his unconditional acceptance. Ryan was just that kind of guy.
It was late when we got back to the room. I hit the light in the bathroom and fiddled with the knobs in the tub.
“What are you up to?” Morgan asked.
“Taking a bath in this Jacuzzi tub. When would I ever get another chance?”
He laughed just as his cell buzzed with a call, and he wandered out of the bathroom to take it. Likely it was someone in his family who had one question or another.
I disrobed and sank into the tub, the warm water feeling amazing against my skin. I leaned back and shut my eyes, listening to the murmur of Morgan’s voice as he paced the room.
“Hey, can I come in?” Morgan asked a minute later with a light knock on the door.
“Of course,” I said in a sleepy voice, feeling more relaxed than I’d been in a long time. “Get in here and soak your feet. I can tell they’re aching. It’ll do wonders.”
“Okay, but only for a few minutes,” he said, immediately kicking out of his shoes and braces and pushing down his dress pants. “That was Ryan. He wanted to know if my dad and I could come by his room to hang out and talk like old times—you know, before the big day.”
“That sounds nice.”
Once he was completely bare, I helped steady him as he stepped inside the tub, shivering as the water covered his feet. We’d never done something like this before, but I loved how natural it felt, how he didn’t even question it.
“I guess Kate is staying with her mom tonight, so they don’t see each other before the ceremony,” he said, sinking down with his back to my chest and immediately leaning against me. It made my heart pulse and ache, and my thoughts swam as he babbled on about wedding traditions. All I could think was how much I wanted Morgan in my life, just like this. I wanted to be his boyfriend and take care of him and kiss him whenever I wanted.
“You okay?” he asked with a backward glance. “You’re so quiet. Is it because I have to leave you? I can ask—”
“No way. You’re allowed to hang out with your family without me. It’ll be special, and you’ll always remember it.” I kissed the back of his head. “I’m quiet because the water feels so relaxing. Besides, I’ll crash before you even get back to the room.”
“Ugh, sounds good. I probably shouldn’t have gotten in because I’m not gonna want to leave.”
Fuck if those words didn’t resonate right then.
“Famous last words,” I murmured.
“Huh?” He flicked water at me, and my eyes sprang open.
“Nothing. Here, let me rub your feet.” I helped him shift so he was positioned across from me. “I’m assuming you’re getting in your sneakers and sweats to head down to his room?”
“Absolutely. No way I’d shove my feet back in those shoes.” He closed his eyes as I lifted and rubbed one foot, then the other, enjoying the view a little too much.
A few minutes later, he sighed, got out of the bathtub, dressed, then left the room. The moment his energy was gone, it felt profoundly lonesome without him.
Fuck, what was wrong with me? I was feeling way too sappy. Must’ve been the wedding vibes.
I tossed and turned for a while, trying to get to sleep, but it wasn’t until Morgan slid into bed beside me that I truly felt settled.
14
Morgan
The wedding day was a whirlwind of activity. Elliot and I helped wherever we were needed, from placing favors on each table—who knew that was even a thing?—to running to the drugstore for more disposable cameras for the guests. Apparently, they were supposed to take candid shots throughout the night, which was a cool idea.
Elliot smiled at me goofily across the long bridal table, where I’d be sitting with Ryan and Kate, Kate’s sister, who was the maid of honor, and the rest of the wedding party. Elliot and the other spouses or dates would be seated at the nearest round tables with the parents and grandparents.