Final Score: Part Two (Game On 6)

Leah was being polite. I’d told her the bare minimum. I’d met Clare a few weeks ago; she’d served me coffee when I’d stopped off to grab a caffeine fix in my regular coffee house on the way to work. Clearly new and struggling to work the coffee machine, she’d caught my attention with her awkwardness. The awkwardness wasn’t part of her personality, it was just an equipment mishap, but she made me laugh when she’d straightened up and raised her gaze to my face, telling me she didn’t often meet guys who were taller than her. She was six feet tall, and all legs. Slender, almost like a dancer, although she assured me she’d never danced in her life. She was glamourous-looking, with dark brown eyes and jet black hair in a pixie cut.

“Well, don’t let that put you off,” Clare said, laughing. “I’m harmless, I promise.”

Leah looked up at me. “I love her already.” She shifted her gaze back to Clare. “I can’t wait to get to know you better, but for now, since my husband is currently dancing with one of my bridesmaids, do you mind if I borrow Bryce for a dance?”

Clare shook her head. “Not at all. Just... watch your feet. He’s dangerous out there.”

She winked and I chuckled, admiring her ballsy attitude. Seemed like she was going to fit in well with my friends. “Alright, I’m gonna go before you two gang up on me any more!” I leaned down and kissed Clare on the cheek. “You rest your feet, sweetheart. I’ll be back soon.”

Laughing, she swatted me on the butt as Leah took my hand and led me onto the dancefloor. The music had slowed, allowing people to wind down before the party ended, and couples were wound around each other, their bodies pressed together.

What is it about weddings that makes everyone horny?

Leah slipped her arms around my waist and I placed my hands on her hips, pulling her close to me, but not too close. Even though Radleigh was dancing with Bree, he’d still break my arms if I got too close to his wife.

“So, she’s hot,” Leah said, grinning.

I laughed. “Yeah, she is pretty hot.”

“Only pretty hot?” She rose up on her tiptoes to glance at her over my shoulder. “I’m considering ditching Radleigh and going home with her!” she teased, making me laugh harder.

“Yeah, you’d last about five seconds with a girl before wishing you had a man again.”

She glanced up at me from beneath her eyelashes. “Are you saying I’m some kind of cock whore?”

“No! But, you know… if the choice was between her and Radleigh…”

Leah began to laugh too. “No, you’re right. But she is beautiful. And she seems really nice. When we get back from the honeymoon, you’ll have to bring her over for dinner.” She peered at me curiously for a second. “You are planning to keep her around, right?”

I nodded. “I’d like to, but I thought I’d keep Bethan for longer than I did. She had other ideas.”

Leah tilted her head to the side thoughtfully. “Hmm, maybe I should go back over and check she doesn’t have any lingering feelings for her ex.”

She started to pull away from me, as if she was really going to do it, and I laughed and held her firmly against me. “Don’t even think about it!”

She grinned up at me then nodded over my shoulder. ?

?Too late. She’s dancing with Jesse now anyway.”

“So tell me more about this honeymoon,” I said, trying to steer her onto a different topic. “Italy, right?”

“Yeah.” Leah’s face lit up at the thought. “I’ve never been before. We’re going to Verona, Venice, Florence and Rome. If it weren’t for Jessica, we’d probably stay away longer but we already feel bad about leaving her behind for ten days.”

She wasn’t kidding. I remember when Radleigh was trying to plan their trip, and for a really long time, they intended to take Jessica with them. Deanna had been the one to talk them out of it, saying that this would be the only time they would have the opportunity to do this until Jessica was all grown up, so they might as well take the chance now. There had been long, drawn out conversations about whether a short break without Jessica would be better than a long break with her, and even Radleigh, who had never been so good at showing his feelings, was unsure about leaving his daughter behind. Eventually, though, Deanna had worn them down, and in spite of Leah’s continued reluctance, it was obvious she was looking forward to having some time away just with Radleigh.

“Sounds amazing,” I said. “I went to Italy with Sarah once. Before we got married. It’s really beautiful.”

“I can’t wait to see it.” Leah smiled then her face turned serious as she looked up at me. “Bryce… I know Radleigh already thanked you from both of us during his speech, but I just wanted to thank you too. For never choosing sides, and for always being fair to both of us. I’ve said it before, but I don’t know where we’d be without you.”

Shaking my head, I said, “No thanks needed.”

“You might think that but there are very few selfless people left in the world. Especially here in L.A. We’re lucky to have you.”

“Okay.” I smiled, tightening my arms around her as she rested her head against my chest. “Enough. You’re gonna make a dude get emotional, and you already broke Radleigh today. Don’t take me down too!”

Her soft laugh made me smile again. “Fine,” she said. “I didn’t mean any of it anyway.” She looked up and poked her tongue out at me.

“Excuse me, but would you mind if I took my wife back?”