I pull up to the circular drive, in wait for the valet and text Laney. The country club sits on the edge of a massive golf course. The other side is a mix of butterfly ponds. Even in late fall, the landscape is on point, and I can see why Devin picked it to host her wedding.
Theo: I’m here, waiting in line for the valet.
Laney: Thank God. If I have to listen to this idiot best man tell me about his new Camaro one more minute. (eye roll emoji) I think I saw a tear in his eye when I told him I wasn’t a fan. Boys and their stupid toys.
Theo: But is he pretty?
Laney: Yes. And I’m not interested. Now come save me.
Theo: On my way. And you most definitely are a shitty judge of character.
Laney: Not this again. I told you, Brett chose her because she was younger. I didn’t say they belonged together.
Theo: I knew halfway in she was wrong for him.
Laney: I’ve created a monster. You’re addicted to reality TV.
Theo: You’re the one who started it.
Laney: Take it down a peg or two, Houseman.
Since the day in the tent, we’ve become inseparable, well, as much as our schedules will allow. Laney is still managing to swing three and a half jobs and keep up with classes, while I utilize my weekends on the bus studying my ass off in an effort to make sure I can spend every spare minute with her. It’s hit or miss, but we make it work. More than once, I’ve seen that ‘kiss me’ look in her eye since that day, but we’ve rarely been alone, and it’s never been the right time. And in a way, I’m still waiting for permission. Old habits die hard, but I’m to the point where I’m just as determined as my object of affection to break them.
Theo: Just gave up my keys.
“You clean up nice, Houseman.”
Smiling, I look up to see Laney staring at me from beside the double door entrance, her phone in hand, looking breathtaking in a form-fitting black dress, the material hugging her curves. Her hair hangs in loose waves around her shoulders. Her eye makeup is a little darker, her lips too. The neckline dips low, showcasing the beautiful curves of her breasts. My mouth goes dry as I imagine the things I would do with my tongue in the center of that universe.
“You look so beautiful,” I join her where she waits for me.
Her breath hitches. “I know you meant that. I felt it.”
“Good.”
Lifting on her toes, she slowly leans in pressing her lips against my bearded cheek, and it takes everything in me not to turn my head.
“Thanks for coming.”
“Thanks for having me.”
Laney
Theo sips his drink before tossing his head back with a laugh while Chase moves his hands animatedly. I can’t hear a word they’re saying, and I can’t tear my eyes off him. He looks so damned gorgeous in a mint green button-down and slacks that fit him perfectly. His long bangs are swept away from his forehead, and the rest of his unruly hair is tucked behind his ears. His smile is blinding, keeping me incapable of seeing much of anything else. He looks…happy. Even in a room full of strangers, he exudes the type of confidence I’m drawn to. A confidence I envy as I do my best not to nip at the drinks surrounding me. I’m nervous. This is my biggest side job yet, and the happiness of my best friend solely relies on me executing it without a hitch.
Right now, I wouldn’t mind taking a sip from the drink in Theo’s hand. But not from the glass, from the lips attached to it. I’m turned on just imagining what his lips could do in the midst of that transfer. A little pride runs through me when I see his drink of choice tonight is whiskey.
I’ve influenced him a little, just as he has me. I find myself opening more and more to his musical tastes, and every once in a while, he lets me DJ with something more of my choosing.
We’re meshing, and we’ve come eerily close to having the routine of a couple. To any outsider, we look like one, the only part that’s missing at this point is the part I can’t stop imagining. Gina no longer stays silent when I’m around him, in fact, she won’t shut the hell up. But her voice takes a back seat to the feelings that engulf me when Theo’s around. Right now, the pull feels magnetic, and my legs proved useless when he got out of his car. Over the last two months, I’ve felt like I’ve been peeling layer after layer of this man away and there is still so much to discover.
After a few brief introductions, I had no choice but to leave him and tend to Devin, but it seems he’s charmed everyone he’s met tonight. And I can see why so clearly, it’s becoming painful. How did I not see it before?
I have hours of maid of honor duties ahead, and all I really want is to spend time with him.
He takes another sip of his drink and runs a hand down his newly-trimmed beard as I slam into a cater waiter, distracted.
“Sorry,” I mutter too embarrassed to meet my victim’s eyes and quickly resume my pace around the party.