Page 8 of The Trouble with Runaway Brides

“Just admit it.”

Easton kept on pushing, but I knew why. I’d caught him staring at Kenzie too, lately. And the worse part was Kenzie was staring back at him. It wasn’t hard to see what was happening—when you can’t keep your eyes off someone, you notice when they can’t keep their eyes off someone else.

“Just stop it, man.” I bit into my burger.

Thankfully, Uncle Denver came over and distracted Easton from the topic.

I knew where I stood in the hierarchy of our high school. I was the sophomore class president and, more than likely, our class valedictorian unless someone new moved into Lake Starlight and gave me some competition for the role.

Easton was already playing varsity baseball. He’d even gone on a date with a senior. It only happened once because Aunt Holly, his mom, found out and that was the end of that. He had that whole easygoing, flirtatious vibe while I was more conservative, and it took me a while to warm up to anyone.

So, I’d decided that my feelings for Kenzie would stay hidden. The last thing I wanted was Kenzie or Easton saying they couldn’t date because of me. And I knew Easton—he was all about blood before anything else, so he’d step aside for me in a heartbeat.

For months, I thought about the what-ifs. Kenzie only grew more attractive to me, and every time Brinley brought her around, I’d clam up, unsure of what to say or how to act. I noticed that Easton was always quick to leave, saying he had promised someone else he’d hang out.

Then Grandma Dori’s ninetieth birthday party came. The weather was horrible, the ground wet and snowy. Of course, Brinley brought Kenzie. They were attached at the hip those days.

We pulled up to the front entrance of the Glacier Point banquet center that my dad had added after he’d bought the place. A valet driver opened my mom’s door, and I stepped out after her.

“Watch out, it’s slippery,” the valet said.

A slight rain earlier had melted the dusting of snow we’d gotten during a cold front the week prior, and I guessed the water froze on the pavement.

Dad gave the keys to the other valet, who parked our car in the nearest spot. I guessed that was how the boss got treated. When we were home, I never thought of my dad as anything but my dad, but when we were at Glacier Point, another part of him always emerged. He became this broad-shouldered man with tons of confidence and power. He directed and managed his staff without ever making them feel less than. From what I could tell, his staff liked him and our whole family. Sometimes I wondered what he had been like when he was my age. But Dad always said he didn’t really find himself until after he met my mom. She loved him for him and not what she expected she could get from him.

Uncle Liam drove up behind us, and the valet opened both rear doors of their large SUV. Out walked Aunt Savannah in a dress identical to my mom’s. I glanced over my shoulder, and sure enough, my mom’s jaw hung open.

“Hey, Lance sweetie.” Aunt Savannah kissed my cheek and headed over to my mom, complaining about the dress and how Grandma Dori had taken her shopping. From what I gathered, Grandma Dori had taken them all separately and, as usual, swindled her way into getting what she wanted.

Next, Brinley stepped out.

“Lance. You look good in a suit, per usual.” Brinley had come with my family to New York a few times because she loved to shop there, and she was the daughter my mom never had. When we were with my grandparents, we went to fancy places, fancy plays, and everything just all-around fancy. Brinley always loved it.

“You look great, but now I’m trying to figure out who you’re going to match.”

She hugged me, a light perfume lingering around us. “I hope it’s no one.”

She hoped, but I’d bet if Grandma Dori had her way, she’d be matching someone.

The valet held out his hand as Brinley turned around, which meant Kenzie had come with her. Uncle Liam clasped me on the shoulder, my cousin Asher right next to him, on his way over to my parents and Aunt Savannah.

Kenzie got out of the SUV with her long dark hair swept into some half updo and her hair curled into spirals. She was wearing a lot more makeup than normal, and her dress was strapless—meaning her boobs were pushed up with a line of cleavage that was hard not to look at.

The valet shut the door, heading to the next car.

Kenzie took two steps, and her feet slipped.

“Kenz!” Brinley squealed.

I rushed forward, grabbing Kenzie’s elbow and her arm to steady her. She gasped as she fell back into my arms until I righted her, and I gave her my arm until we reached the rubber matting.

“Mac, we need ice melt out here immediately. Especially with the age of the guests we’re having,” Dad said. “I’m not being sued for twenty hip replacements.”

Uncle Liam laughed and Mom swatted Dad’s arm.

“Thank you so much,” Kenzie said once she was standing on the mat. She looked at me and I swore we shared a moment.

“You’re welcome.” I cleared my throat.

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