“You think that’s funny?” he asks.
“Maybe.” He tosses it at me, and out of instinct I catch it. All the girls start to hoot and holler behind me. “That was mean,” I hiss, narrowing my eyes at him.
“I thought girls loved catching the bouquet at a wedding.”
“Do men enjoy catching the garter from the groom? I think not.”
“I don’t think we’ll be finding that out.” Luca shakes his head.
I suppose not. There’s no way my brother is going to reach up Lux’s dress in front of everyone and then throw a piece of fabric that she’s been wearing all day to a group of men.
“I need to check on the bride,” I tell Luca before I slip away again. It’s not a lie, but it is super convenient.
Bastian is leaning up against the door in the hallway when I spot him. “You couldn't even wait in the ballroom? You are hopeless.”
“That I am.” He knocks on the door of the bridal suite before he opens it to let me in.
“Look at you with the bouquet.” Juno wiggles her eyebrows at me, and I drop it down onto a chair.
“Your brother-in-law is mean. He tossed that thing right at me.”
“Every heart in Pink Springs shattered in that moment.” Juno pretends to do a dramatic faint.
“I wish Luca would find a girl and slow down. I don’t think he realizes how much he’s missing.” Lux turns around so we can help her out of her dress. “Like today, of course he made it on time and he always follows through, but we’ll only get him for this small time slot. I bet he’ll be gone before sunrise.”
Lux steps out of her dress, and Juno hands her the simple flowy white one to put on. We get everything put away, and soon Lux is all set for her and Bastian to do their final walk. The party is far from over from the looks of it, but they are ready to be alone, and who could blame them?
I watch my brother head down the walkway outside as fireworks start to light up the sky. He opens the limo door for Lux, and she and Bastian slide inside and wave goodbye as the car drives away. I stand there for a long moment, wondering what now as I feel him come up beside me.
“You okay?” Luca comes to stand beside me with his hands in his pockets, and I realize everyone has gone back inside and I’m standing out here all alone.
“Yeah.”
“That was a halfhearted yeah if I ever heard one.” It is, but I sure as hell don’t want to talk about it.
“Should we get a drink?” I say, changing the subject.
“I’d love nothing more than to get to know my new sister-in-law.” He holds out his elbow, and I take it so he can lead us back inside.
I don’t miss the people of Pink Springs watching Luca and me as we head toward one of the many bars.
“People are staring at us.” I try not to fidget as I whisper.
“Nope, they’re definitely staring at you,” he responds.
“Me? Why the heck would they be staring at me?”
“Because I’ve got a girl on my arm that isn't Juno or Lux.” He shrugs as we slide up to the bar. “The lady will have…” Luca looks to me to answer, but the bartender cuts in.
“An old-fashioned. I knew you’d be back for more, sweetheart.” He winks at me. “For you, sir?” Luca glares at the bartender. “I’ll do the same as my lady,” he responds.
The bartender scurries off to get our drinks, and I laugh. Then I realize I’ve been doing that a lot tonight when I’m with Luca. Maybe it’s the whole wedding vibe that’s making me happy.
“I thought you grew up here?” I ask, wanting to know why everyone in Pink Springs is so curious about us.
“I did.” He brushes away one of my curls that has escaped my updo. His fingers brush my cheek in the process, and my stomach tightens.
“But you said they aren’t used to seeing you with anyone.”
“They aren’t. This is a small town and I don’t shit where I eat,” he teases. He’s right, though, because the fallout could get ugly, and people like to take sides.
That hits home more than I think he realizes, because we could do the very same to our brand-new family.
4
Luca
I manage to get Selma away from the prying eyes of the bartender without a scene, but my possessive hand on her back should have been enough of a signal to fuck off. After that we end up back out on the patio next to the fountain where we can still hear the music and see everyone inside. We’re not alone, exactly, but it’s private enough.
The whole time we talk I have to remind myself to play it cool, but it never works. Every time she smiles, I smile. Every time she leans closer, so do I. From the moment I looked at Selma I’ve been tethered to her. Seeing her laugh is like watching a miracle, and knowing I caused it makes my ego just a little bigger.
I’m sitting next to the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, and all I want is to know more. My dick certainly wants to take her to bed and have her under me, but there’s an even bigger part that never wants this night to end.
“You know, I was used to wearing heels all the time, but somehow bridesmaid shoes are different. My feet are killing me.”
She slips off the strappy heel, and I see the red lines crisscrossing the tops of her feet. Without thinking, I pull her legs into my lap and begin to rub the aches away.
“Oh god, I should tell you to stop, but that feels so good I can’t.” When she closes her eyes, my dick swells, and I want to rub her feet against it.
“Where are you staying tonight?” The question is out of my mouth before I can think it through, but I’m too hard to supply blood to my cock and my brain at the same time.
Her eyes pop open and she looks around like she’s searching for the answer. “Um, I was going to go back to the city.”
She told me earlier she’s got a place downtown, but that’s over an hour from here. Lux and Bastian found a venue in between Pink Springs and the city so that guests wouldn’t have to drive the whole way. There’s a hotel here, but from what I heard the rooms booked up quickly with it being a boutique hotel. Cooper must have known I’d want to stay here and closer to the airport because he got me a room without me even asking.
“Stay with me,” I say, not pausing my hands as I keep massaging her feet.
“What?” I see her fingers fidget in her lap, and I look up and give her one of my smiles that always seems to get me what I want.
“I’ve got a room here; there’s no need to drive all the way back. Stay here, with me.”
Her eyes sharpen, and it’s like she can see straight through me. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
She tries to tug her feet from my lap, but I grab her ankle and squeeze it firmly. “Be still,” I say in a stern voice, and suddenly she melts. I don’t think I’ve ever been so stern with a woman before, but from the way she responds, I like it.
“Luca, you’re a good time, but I don’t want to do”—she waves a hand between us like she can’t find the words—“whatever this is. It’s too complicated with our families, and I’m not in a good place right now—”