“So? Do you think all of those women that were around him growing up cared about him at all? They only wanted sex with him. They didn’t want anything else. He was a means to an end. He was good in the sack, but they never wanted to be his girlfriend.” She shrugged. “You were different. When he was sick you took care of him. You’ve never once tried to hold him back. You’ve helped him in more ways than you realize, and I bet he’s grateful for that.”
“We’re friends.”
“You’ve gotten him to start cooking again. He refused to cook after his mom passed, Dani. Not only is he cooking now, but he’s going to culinary school. You and him, I would say it’s pretty much a done deal. I saw the jealousy on his face when he saw that loser that called you a whore. He loves you. I’ve got one question though?”
“What?” Dani didn’t know what to think or feel in that very moment. She felt like she’d been cut open.
“How do you feel about him?”
How did she feel about him?
She loved being around him.
Waking up, she’d spend a few minutes just watching him sleep. He always snuggled in close, and normally she’d hate that but having his arms wrapped around her, she loved it.
She thought about the night the woman smashed her vase.
He wasn’t that guy anymore.
That asshole had disappeared as if he’d never been there.
Pushing some hair off her face, she thought about his smile, and the way he held her. How he’d paint her toenails or rub her feet. She’d even done a striptease for him with the pole, and they went grocery shopping together. In a matter of a few weeks, they’d gone from roommates who barely saw each other, to spending so much time together. He came to the diner where she worked. She visited him at the bar where he worked. He’d come and eat dinner while she finished up a shift at Arnold’s place. For the most part, they hadn’t been separated in a long time. It was kind of surreal, actually.
Just thinking about him now, her stomach did a few somersaults. “I think I’m in love with him.”
“See? Sometimes you just need a bit of a hand to nudge you in the right direction. I think it’s so good. You and Jax will be down the aisle in no time.”
With that, it was time to leave. She’d been with Lily alone at her home as the other girls she liked to hang out with were there.
Dani didn’t think about her actions. She simply moved, walking downstairs, climbing into the back of the limousine waiting for them that would take them to the lake where Lily was desperate to secure her wedding vows.
The heat was high, but the limousine had air conditioning. Staring out the window, Dani watched Jax’s hometown pass her by. Lily had already pointed out his old home. It was a nice place with a white picket fence and neatly mowed lawn.
She wondered if he had any intention of seeing his father while they were there.
They left the main town and were traveling along a dirt road. Dani saw several cars parked up in a dirt spot.
Lily gave a little squeal.
Climbing out of the car, Dani helped the other bridesmaids with the train and followed close behind as they moved down the dirt path. The other women were complaining about the mess they’d make of their shoes.
They met Lily’s father halfway there, and before long, they were at the back of the small aisle that had been made up. Jax stood beside Ryan, and she saw the other men there, waiting.
At first, they were going to have a small wedding with just a few guests. Once Rachel, Wes, and the others found out, that soon changed. They wanted to see their friend walk down the aisle, and now, they were. Taking her spot, Dani looked toward Jax. He was staring right at her.
He gave her a wink and mouthed the words, “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. You look very handsome.” She made sure to mouth the words too.
He ran his hand down the jacket and smirked at her. She smiled back, and then she watched Lily come down the aisle. Ryan was watching her, and she saw the love between the two.
Glancing over at Jax, he was still looking at her.
Was it even possible for him to love her?
They barely knew each other.
Well, they knew each other, but they’d been together a matter of weeks.
She was so obsessed with the idea that he loved her or didn’t love her that she didn’t hear the vows. It was only when the priest pronounced them man and wife that she realized she’d missed the entire thing thinking about Jax.
Dani clapped her hands as everyone cheered for the happy couple. They were a happy couple, and so much in love as well.