“She’s not my sister. You’re supposed to get mad about that.”
I laugh. “I didn’t because they are adults.”
He gawks at me. “Maybe not, but this brother knows that Wes is a whore who will not take advantage of my sister.”
I shake my head. “Aiden, come on. Stella isn’t dumb, and do you really think anyone could take advantage of her?”
“We’re talking about Stella here, not Emery.”
“I know. Stella is exactly the same,” I say, holding back my laughter. “Don’t pay them any mind.”
The tension leaves his body as he stares into my eyes, cupping my face. “Fine. I’ll just stare at you instead.”
I lean into his hand. “That is a solid plan.”
“I thought so,” he agrees, kissing my nose. “We’ve crashed your scene. Want us to leave?”
I look to where Ally and Asher are dancing and Boon is holding Posey. Amelia is dancing with no cares in the world, while Stella and Wes flirt, much to my man’s dismay. Everyone is so happy, and why would I want to ruin that? “No, I want you here.”
Our lips meet, and as I lay my head on his chest, I can’t help but be reminded that I need to speak to him about that email. About our future. Aiden tightens his arms around me, kissing the top of my head, and I figure it can all wait.
For time stands still when I’m in Aiden Brooks’s arms.
Chapter 4
Aiden
I flick my finger along the handle of my coffee mug as my mom yaps in my ear. “Grandpa isn’t happy with the hotel and wants to come stay here, but I’d rather not have that happen, so he and Grandma are going to go stay with Audrey.”
“Ooh, that’s rude.”
“It’s not. She lived with me a long time. She can handle your grandparents.”
I chuckle. “But she’s working on the masterpiece that is my cake.”
“Your little puck cake is done. Shelli’s eight-tier cake is going to be the death of my poor sister.”
I grin. “Mom, it’s nothing she can’t handle.”
“Aiden, Shelli wants it put into a chandelier. Who the hell wants that?”
I look over my shoulder to where Shelli sleeps facedown on the couch. Once I got to the FGL House, the drinks really started flowing. I lost sight of my sister and Wes, but if he wants to continue to be my friend, he’ll watch himself. I trust he won’t do anything with Stella, but I did stop caring once Shelli and I hit the floor. There is something insanely sexy about my girl when she dances. She leaves it all out there, and the way those hips move…downright sinful. Even sleeping, with her makeup smudged and her hair a mess, I find her perfect. The couch was small, but we made it work.
We always make it work.
“Again, Audrey’s got this. She does this kind of stuff all the time.”
“No, she does cupcakes.”
“Whatever. She’s good.”
“Shelli has gone crazy.”
I laugh. “She’s always been crazy, and I love it.”
“Well, I guess that’s all that matters.”
“It does,” I say, stretching my arms above my head with a groan. “Dad up?”
“Yeah, he’s outside putting. Refuses to lose to you again.”
I grin. “Good. Shea is already chirping at me.”
Her laughter makes me grin. “So, just you, your dad, and your future father-in-law, huh?”
“Yeah, they wanted to have ‘the talk’ with me.”
“Jesus. Should I save you?”
“I’m good. Thanks, though,” I say. “Pretty sure I’ve already been through the talk with both of them, but whatever makes them happy. I’m just thankful to have them.”
“Absolutely. They’re good men.”
“The best.”
Emotion fills my mother’s voice as she says, “I can’t believe my baby is getting married.”
I pause. She’ll lose her shit when she finds out about Asher. I really need to call him. “Yeah, believe it. We’ve been planning this for a while, and you know I’m marrying a top-notch, successful babe.”
She sighs happily. “I couldn’t handpick a better woman for you. Shelli may be the star of Bridezilla, but outside of this wedding stuff, she’s a damn good girl.”
I’m in disbelief of my mom. “Mom, I don’t even think she’s bridezilla status. She’s been chill, just knows what she wants. I love that about her.”
“Well, yeah, because she was so damn sure of you.”
“Right? I needed that.”
“Very true. We may have messed you up.”
“It’s okay,” I say softly. “She’s fixed me.”
She thinks that over for a second. “Maybe, but there is still time for her to go full bridezilla.”
I laugh with her. “Let’s hope not,” I say, just as Shelli’s phone buzzes on the counter. I reach for it to find a text from Shelli’s old agent on the screen.
Miranda Foxtel: Hey, you going to answer that email, or am I? What’s the word on Hamilton?
I bring in my brows, my whole face scrunching up with the motion. I’m not an idiot, and it doesn’t take me long to put two and two together. Shelli has been offered a job. “Hey, Mom? Let me call you back.”