“It is,” her mother answers for Hilary, “despite your lack of help. I do hope you plan on being here the next three days to help and not find a reason to go back early.
“I’ll be here for the next three days, Mother. I wouldn’t miss Hilary’s wedding.”
“That’s good! Because you’re part of it,” Hilary pops up and the rest of the conversation consists of a wedding dress, bridesmaid’s dresses, and flowers.
My eyes glaze over like the rest of the men’s—except for Robbie’s who I catch staring at Tabitha again. There’s going to be trouble and I’m going to see to it that he learns looking at Tabitha is not okay and that she is completely off the market. To prove my point, I put my hand in her hair and pull her close to me and kiss her gently on her lips. It’s just a subtle kiss, but it still feels good to remind her I’m here and that I want her. Her eyes go dark and soft and I lose a piece of myself in them right then.
“What was that for?”
“I couldn’t stop myself,” I tell her honestly and I watch as she smiles and a pale pink tint comes over her face.
I’ve got to have her soon. Maybe once I’ve completely claimed her I can handle Robbie looking at her…
Yeah, that’s never going to happen.
Chapter Sixteen
Tabitha
“I like the way you dance, gorgeous,” Brody whispers against my ear. I lay my head on his shoulder and close my eyes as our bodies move slowly to the music.
We managed to get through the wedding rehearsal and instead of going back to my parent’s home, Brody convinced me to go out dancing with him. I wasn’t really up to a crowded bar, but the thought of spending an evening with my parents was even less appealing. I should have known that Brody would surprise me. He managed to find a small romantic restaurant with music and a dining area outside by Lake Lesavor. I’m from this area and I didn’t even know it was here.
“How did you know about this place?” I ask, unable to contain my grin. I’ve never felt gorgeous before, but Brody definitely makes me feel that way.
“I asked the waiter at the place we had the rehearsal dinner. Pretty nice, right?”
“It’s awesome,” I agree and before I can second guess myself I kiss Brody on the side of the neck. I’ve had a crush on this man for as long as I can remember. Now that I’ve actually spent time with him, he’s so much better than I realized. I actually think… I love him. Which is terrifying, but still true.
“Your family is…”
“Hard to take. I’m sorry about tonight, Brody. I should have warned you, but…”
“But what?”
“Honestly, it sounds weak—I know…”
“Just tell me, Tabitha. You don’t need to be afraid to tell me anything.”
“I was afraid you’d back out of coming here with me,” I tell him, being completely honest and doing my best to ignore the fear that it causes.
“And let you get anywhere near your ex alone? Not on your life, gorgeous.”
I pull back to look at Brody, thinking he can’t be serious. His face is stern and his eyes are intense. He seems more than serious.
“Brody, he’s marrying my sister.”
“That didn’t stop him from looking at your breasts the whole night.”
“Brody, he did not.”
“Tabitha, he did. There was a time or two I was about to get up and black his eye.”
“Black his eye?” I gasp, reading the truth in Brody’s gaze and not knowing whether to be alarmed or slightly turned on. If I’m honest I’ve been turned on all night, and I kind of like that he’s acting like an unreasonable caveman right now. It’s so different from the straight-laced doctor I thought Brody was that it intrigues me even more.
“So it would swell up and the asshole couldn’t look at you anymore.”
“You wanted to hit someone for staring at me?” I ask, not quite believing him, but loving that Brody Miner seems… jealous.
“Is that so hard to believe? I don’t know about your tastes in men before me, Tabitha, but Rodney is a douche.”
“It’s Robbie,” I laugh.
“Whatever, he’s still a douche,” Brody grumbles. “I really should have hit him.”
“But what about your hands?”
“My hands?” he asks, his face full of confusion.
I step out of his arms, which seems to make him even more unhappy. Then I take both his hands in mine, bringing them to me to kiss.
“You make a living with your hands, Brody. You hold life in them and perform miracles. Nothing about Robbie is worth putting that at risk,” I tell him, being completely serious.
“Please, he’d be out after one punch.”
“Still, there’s much more I’d rather see you do with your hands than punch out Robbie Stedman.”
“Now that’s a coincidence, gorgeous.”