Page 113 of Staying Selfless

“I know you’re my future sister and very best friend and all of that,” Marc quietly says. “But damn, girl!” he adds with an impressed glance, checking me out and making me laugh.

“Thanks, Marc. You look hella nice. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you in a suit, but I’m totally into it.”

He gives me a smug grin, running his hands down the length of the front of his jacket. “I know, right? I look fine as hell.”

Eli makes his way to me, taking a seat as close as he can. He tucks his crutches under the pew and out of sight before sliding his hand over my crossed legs, holding me.

My gaze drifts over to Marc and Ali, and even though they’re not touching, they’re sitting extremely close. Marc has been patient all weekend, as he always is, as he lets Ali come to him and set the pace. He treats her as his friend, but I can tell, and I assume everyone else can too, that the way he looks at her is with much more than friendship in mind.

He seems truly happy when he’s with her, even though I can see the hurt on his face when Ali pulls away from time to time due to nerves. It’s been a big step for him to let himself feel for another woman after what Lauren put him through, but it makes me so happy to see him happy. He’s the best guy. He deserves to be loved and cherished.

But Ali still hasn’t decided if she’s ready to jump all in, or at least she hasn’t told me yet. I’ve seen her grow more comfortable all weekend being around Marc’s family, so I don’t know what she’s going to do. I just hope she doesn’t hurt him if her decision is the opposite of what I’m hoping for.

Jack and Mary take their place on the other side of Eli as the ceremony begins. Gavin and Garrett, Gabe’s brothers, take their spots up at the altar. Another man and woman are standing on Liam’s intended side, and as the program placed at my seat states, they’re Liam’s siblings.

Gabe walks his happily crying mom, Molly, down the aisle before kissing her on the cheek and taking his spot at the altar.

As soon as Liam walks into the room, Gabe’s face is overtaken with the biggest smile he can manage. This is the first time I’ve ever seen Liam, and I give Gabe a mental high-five because his soon-to-be husband is hot as hell, and from what Eli has told me, he’s also a sweetheart.

The guys’ vows are personalized and thoughtful, drawing out a few tears from Jack’s eyes as Mary quietly gives her husband shit for being a total sap. Eli keeps his hand intertwined with mine, gently grazing his thumb over my knuckle, and my eyes almost pop out of my head when I see Marc tentatively reach for Ali.

I know I should be more focused on the ceremony in front of me, but two of my closest friends might hold hands in public right now, so I’m understandably a little distracted.

As soon as Ali’s tiny hand slips into Marc’s, I completely stiffen from excitement.

I don’t say a single word, but I throw a mental fist in the air.

“Chill the fuck out, will you,” Eli whispers with a laugh, and even though I haven’t made a move or said a word, my guy can read my mind as always.

“I can’t,” I quietly say back to him, trying to hold back my excitement.

Eli lets out another chuckle before swinging his arm over my shoulder and pulling me in. He kisses my temple before my attention shifts back to the scene in front of us.

The ceremony is quick and sweet, and the crowd cheers when Gabe and Liam are announced as husband and husband, sealing it with a kiss. The boys hold their intertwined hands in the air as Liam yells out, “Now, let’s have a party!” before walking back down the aisle, and I can tell I like him already.

Eli and I stay back as the guests all migrate to the next room over for the cocktail hour and reception. With Eli’s crutches, sometimes it’s just easier to wait until there’s enough space for his giant injured body to hobble through.

I follow him, but as soon as we are in the secluded hallway between the two rooms, Eli stops in his tracks. He places his crutches up against the wall, turning around to face me.

His mouth urgently finds mine, his warm lips soft as they explore. His tongue parts my lips, gaining access as my hands graze over his shoulders, tugging at his perfectly placed hair.

I’m a little taken aback by this steamy kiss, but also totally here for it as Eli’s hips pin me to the wall. His lips move to my jaw as he hides his face in the crook of my neck. He positions his massive body to hide me from any possible guests who could see me, not that there is another soul in this hallway, before his fingertips graze my thigh that the dress’ slit reveals.

My arms tighten around his neck as his hand moves upward, and I let out an audible gasp when his hand dips under the slit, sliding over my bare body before grazing against my warmth. Eli’s head drops to my shoulder with a whimper as he quickly touches me before pulling his fingers away.

“Been wondering all night,” he whispers. “Just had to check.”

“Check what?” I ask, far too out of breath for barely being touched, but that’s what he does to me. I can’t help it. Even the smallest of grazes makes my body beg for his.

“Just checking to see how easy my access is.” He wears a smug little smirk, quickly pressing his lips to my shocked ones.

He grabs his crutches and starts to hobble away, shooting me a devilish smile over his shoulder, like he didn’t just ignite my entire body with his touch.

I don’t care if it’s snowing outside. I’m hot as hell at the moment.

“My best friend,” Marc slurs as he leans an arm against the bar, facing me. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“No, you haven’t,” I laugh. “You haven’t left the dance floor all night.”

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