He was teasing me. Friendly teasing. I could do this. “Maybe next time, you could wear a shirt,” I countered.
His gaze shot back up to mine, and for a second, I wasn’t sure if I should have said that. I might have given him the wrong idea. But then he surprised me and laughed. The deep chuckle that used to set butterflies off in my stomach and make me light-headed.
And it still did.
“Fair enough. We’ll dress more appropriately next time.”
I nodded as a smile settled on my lips. I relaxed and reached for my fork so I could eat my eggs.
Tripp
Keeping my focus on Woods and Della during the ceremony was difficult. The pale blue dress Bethy was wearing clung to her curves, which proved extremely distracting. I had the ring, and I didn’t want to miss my cue, but damn, it was hard not to watch Bethy.
The loose curls that hadn’t been pulled up on her head brushed her face as they got caught in the breeze. I wanted to walk over and pull out whatever was holding her hair up and watch it all fall down in a tangle of curls. I had never seen her hair curled before, and although I liked it just fine when it was straight, I wanted to wrap those curls around my fingers.
“You became my safe place after you stole my heart.” Della’s words brought me out of my Bethy fog. That was my cue. I slipped my hand into my pocket and pulled out the ring, then handed it to Woods. It was his turn to say the vows he’d written for her.
Grant had tried to get him to rehearse them earlier in front of us, but he wouldn’t. He’d said he didn’t need to rehearse. He didn’t even have a cheat sheet to give me in case he needed any help.
“My life lacked purpose and meaning. I was going through the motions, unaware that I was hollow inside. Then one night, this gorgeous brunette lit up the bleakness within me. She was only in town for a night, but luckily, fate gave me a second chance and placed her in my path one more time.
“You changed everything for me, Della. When you’re beside me, I can do anything. I can face any challenge and walk through any fire. As long as you’re the one holding my hand. You tell me I’m your safe place, but you have more strength and courage than anyone I’ve ever known.
“No one will ever come before you. I’ll spend forever making sure you always feel safe. Never doubt for a second that you own my heart. You’re my life.”
Della’s sob was followed by several others. My gaze moved back to Bethy, and I watched as she wiped away her own tears. Fate had given Woods another chance. I sure as hell hoped fate gave me one, too.
The crowd roared, and I turned back to see Woods dip Della back as he held her in his arms and kissed her. When he was finally done making out with his wife in public, he took her arm, and they walked back down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Woods Kerrington.
Thad stepped forward from behind me and took Braden’s arm as they followed the couple out. I waited for Bethy’s move. When she walked forward, I met her in the middle of the aisle and held out my arm for her to take. She slipped hers through mine, and I tucked it close to my body. It wasn’t the way the drill sergeant had told us to do it, but I didn’t give a shit. I’d just spent the last thirty minutes wanting to touch Bethy and not being able to. This was my excuse to get close to her, and I was taking it. She didn’t fight me; she let me keep her against me as we followed the others.
“You smell good,” I said as I bent my head down to inhale her sweet perfume.
She tensed but only for a moment. “Thank you,” she whispered.
I watched as Thad dropped his arm and Braden moved forward, looking around for her husband with a bright smile on her face. We were all supposed to go to the large tent set up for the reception in the center of the island. But unless Bethy pulled away from me, I wasn’t letting go.
Woods had stopped up ahead and was cradling Della’s face in his hands and kissing her. Again.
“Damn, man. Stop sucking her face off. You got the rest of your life for that. Let’s go party!” Thad called out.
Woods ignored him.
“I’m so happy for them,” Bethy said.
I was, too. “Yeah,” I agreed.
“Honeymoon starts after the reception. Brides are funny about that shit!” Rush called out.
This time, Della broke the kiss and looked back at us with laughter in her eyes. “You’re right. I want to dance with my husband,” she said.
The look of possessiveness on Woods’s face as she called him her husband didn’t go unnoticed by anyone.
“Wait until she realizes what happens every time she refers to him as her husband,” Blaire said as she and Rush stopped beside us.
Bethy laughed, but it wasn’t a full laugh. There was a sadness there. I fucking hated that. I didn’t want her sad. She’d been sad for so long.
“Let’s go party,” I said, stopping the blissful married sex talk and tightening my hold on Bethy as I led her toward the reception.
Once we reached the tent, Bethy pulled away and gave me a small, embarrassed smile. She hadn’t realized I was still holding on to her until that moment—it was obvious from the look on her face. She’d been comfortable with me holding her, and damn, I liked that. “You’ll be at the bride and groom’s table over there.” She pointed to the table closest to the dance floor, with the most elaborate centerpiece.
I hadn’t realized I wouldn’t be able to sit by her again. Did this mean I had to sit next to Charity? Shit.
“We’re here, Bethy,” Blaire called out to her from across the dance floor. They were also close to the dance floor but on the other side of the room.
“Enjoy the dinner,” she said before turning and walking away from me. I watched as her hips swayed and her satin dress moved over her ass. God, she was gorgeous. But then, she always had been.
“I believe you’re my dinner partner again tonight,” an unwelcomed female voice said, interrupting my thoughts.
I glanced over at Charity. She was beaming a little too brightly. Almost as if she was forcing her joy. This probably hadn’t been easy on her, either. She’d thought she would have a happily-ever-after once, too. It hadn’t turned out that way.
“Yeah, I’m sure we are,” I replied with a halfhearted smile, and motioned for her to lead the way.
Bethy
The tinkling sound of the spoon hitting the champagne glass quieted the room, and I turned around, knowing who had caught everyone’s attention. It was time for the maid of honor and the best man to make their speeches. I had tried to keep my eyes off that table since I sat down. I wasn’t a fan of the beautiful blonde, Charity.