Too Distracting (The Lewis Cousins 3)

Zoey laughed out loud at that and asked, “Cheese and crackers, how many shots did you and Shane have?” She turned and informed me, “Shane’s got a bit of stage fright.”

“Ah,” I said, looking over their shoulder at Shane, who was tending bar and shooting nervous glances at the stage. “I’m sure you both will be great. I’ll go make sure everything is prepped and ready for you.”

“Thanks, Laurel. Oh, and I wanted to tell you, this is a great party. Sooo perfect for them, great job.”

I smiled happily at the compliment, then went to go set up the mic.

37

Dillon

“Thank you all so much for coming out tonight for Chloe and Reardon,” Laurel was saying into the mic. “Now, Chloe’s sister, Zoey, would like to give a special performance for the happy couple.”

I watched Zoey make her way to the stage, saw Shane take a quick shot of something before following behind her, and then Chloe’s hand go to her mouth as her eyes filled.

I breathed a sigh of relief that they hadn’t tried to make me go up on stage and sing with Zoey. I loved Reardon and Chloe, but the thought of singing in front of people made me physically ill. Hell, I had to do deep breathing exercises and a hundred pushups anytime I had to speak in public.

I’ll make it up to them with my Best Man’s speech at the wedding, I thought, then grimaced when panic started to set in, even though it was still weeks away.

I shook it off as Zoey and Shane sat on stools and adjusted their mics. Shane looked like he was about to puke, but Zoey was all smiles as she looked over at her sister and Reardon.

“I’m so happy that you guys found each other, and although I know I’m supposed to wait until the wedding reception to celebrate the two of you, I couldn’t. I had to do a little something, to let you know, Reardon, how much I love you for finally giving Chloe the life she deserves. You support her, you worship her, and you don’t let her hide behind her defenses, and I’ll be forever grateful that you didn’t give up.” She stopped and cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure.

Chloe, on the other hand, was snuggled into Reardon’s side, quietly crying.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t struggling not to get choked up myself, as Zoey began to sing.

Zoey and Shane gave a surprisingly beautiful rendition of Islands in the Stream. I’d had no idea that either of them could sing, but once they were done, you couldn’t hear a pin drop, that’s how enraptured they’d held their audience.

After our shock passed, the room erupted with applause, and Zoey and Shane, who was back to his normal coloring, stood and bowed, then left the stage. Chloe and Reardon rushed to them, and I could hear Chloe gushing as she pulled them both into an awkward hug. Awkward, only because of the large roundness of her belly.

“Wow,” Laurel said, sliding up next to me and placing her hand in mine. “That was amazing.”

“I had no idea,” I managed, happy that my voice didn’t sound thick with emotion.

“Me neither,” she said. “How do I top that?”

“With presents and cake, of course,” I replied, dropping a kiss on her head and taking in her scent.

Yeah, I sniffed her, so what. I was having a moment.

Laurel chuckled. “Of course.”

She gave my hand a squeeze, then walked off toward Chloe, her ass swaying in those nicely tailored slacks. She looked over her shoulder, then gave a sexy, knowing grin when she caught me watching her walk away.

I don’t know if it was her lingering scent, that sexy look, or the confidence in her walk, but as I grinned back and shrugged, unrepentantly, it hit me… I’m falling in love with her.

I stood there in shock as Chloe and Reardon took the stage and everyone gathered around to see them open their presents. They’d asked that no one give them anything for the bridal shower or bachelor party, but had agreed to presents for the baby shower. Laurel had said Chloe had tried to say no presents were needed at all, but finally conceded when she’d reminded her how much the family had loved giving presents for little Evie.

I think most people had adhered to their wishes, except for Gabe, Serena, Jazzy, and me. We’d pooled our money together to give them a trip to Greece next year, after the baby was born. We booked it for eight months after the birth, figuring they wouldn’t want to leave the baby before then, but agreeing that they’d need to have a kid-free honeymoon to look forward to.

We weren’t giving it to them tonight, though, not only because we didn’t want to make the other guests feel bad for not getting them anything, but because Jazzy wasn’t there to enjoy watching them open it.

We’d do it once we were all together again.

My mind was racing while they opened numerous packs of diapers, clothes, and gift packs for the baby.

When the hell had it happened? Had Laurel been chipping away at my heart over the years, without my realizing it? Was it like Serena, Zoey and Reardon seemed to think, an inevitable fact that had been brewing since we were kids?