Page 26 of Even Ground

She stretches. “That sounds good. I think I’m too wound up to sleep yet.”

“What a day, huh?”

The smile that graces her face lights up the whole room. “It was wonderful, and everything Delaney ever deserved.”

I look over my shoulder at the room. At least we don’t have to clean up; there are cleaners coming in to take care of that in the morning.

Pania’s already on her way up the stairs, and I grab a bottle before following her. I can’t help but watch the way she moves. Her maroon dress hugs her curves, and there’s a split up the side, exposing her left calf. She has amazing legs.

And I’m not supposed to think this way about her.

I drop my gaze and pay attention to my own footsteps. It’s the longest trek ever up the stairs and into the living room. Josh’s parents have long since gone to bed, and the living room is lit with gentle lamplight.

Pania drops into one of the recliners and puts her feet up, kicking off her shoes. “That’s so much better.”

“Want a foot rub?”

She cocks an eyebrow at me, then closes her eyes.

“I’ll grab some champagne glasses.”

“Good boy,” she says.

I can’t help the smile on my face as I walk into the kitchen. I must be some kind of glutton for punishment, but I really like this woman.

“Somewhere in here …” I mutter to myself. Opening cupboards, I finally find the one with glasses inside, and to the left are a set of champagne flutes.

Carrying them to the kitchen counter, I pour champagne into the two flutes and return to the living room.

Pania’s stretched out with her eyes still closed.

“Are you awake?” I ask.

Her eyes slowly open, and I catch my breath.

“I’m not about to turn down free booze.”

I grin and hand her a glass. She takes it, her hand brushing mine. This is ridiculous.

Don’t fuck and ditch her.

I tap my glass against hers. “Cheers.” And thanks Josh for thinking so little of me.

“Cheers,” she says.

Loosening my tie, I walk to the couch and sit before taking a long sip of my drink. It goes down easily, and my only regret is that I left the rest of the bottle in the kitchen.

I place my drink on the coffee table then tug off my jacket, pulling my phone out of the pocket before dropping the jacket on the arm of the couch.

Scrolling through my Instagram, I pick up my glass and take another sip of champagne, smiling to myself at the photos already posted to social media. Josh and Delaney discussed asking their guests not to post, but with the stories already out there speculating on their reunion, they decided not to worry about it.

My social media feed is so full of love.

During the afternoon, I’d taken my own photos and sent some to Josh. It’s an honour to see he’s used one to post his own special message about his wedding today.

The photo is a closeup of Delaney, her eyes shut, Josh kissing her cheek. It’s the look of total bliss on her face, the curve of her smile, his nose pressed against her skin.

The caption reads: Today, I married my best friend and the love of my life. Turns out they’re the same person.

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