Page 71 of Grand Escape

Chewy stepped up next to Adam, his boisterous voice easily heard over the music and the crowd.

“Congrats,” I said, knowing better than to argue with the groom.

“Where’s the bride?” Adam asked him.

“Oh, she’s freshening up with her girls, which is code for shots in the bathroom.”

It was true. The bride had me set up a pitcher of lemon drops and shot glasses for her and her bridesmaids, but a girl never rats out her sisters. That much I knew.

With his arm slung around Adam’s shoulders, Chewy wouldn’t shut his mouth, though. “You’ll be next, lady. This guy has been so hung up on you. Man, the pining has been disgusting. I’ve heard more over the last several months about you and how he had to see you, but that he had to get over his dead sister first because that’s what she would want.”

“Chewy, really?” I scolded him, not knowing how Adam would react to such a cavalier mention of Becca. “It’s your wedding, and that’s just not necessary.”

Leaning his head into Chewy’s armpit, Adam smiled, the booze starting to have an effect. “It’s okay, Ry. I’m at peace. Although Becca wouldn’t like being called my dead sister, she would like you.”

His eyes crinkled at the corners, and his lips turned up in the most genuine way I’d ever seen.

Chewy grinned at me. “Dopey over here had me busy finding out what I could on you during this whole wedding planning. Sarah was ready to dump me, so you’re welcome.”

“It’s the least you could do with what I salvaged from your godawful divorce arrangements.”

This made Chewy burst out laughing. “Damn straight. Dude found me an extra three mil. You know what, let’s have a toast to Adam. Give me a shot of whatever he’s having.”

I poured two more bourbons and slid them over to the guys, surveying the bar. Billy was busy at the other end, but my side was slow.

“And you?” Chewy looked at me.

“Not tonight, too much to do. You two go ahead.”

“Have one later before this asshole takes you home.”

Before I could respond, Chewy tossed his bourbon back and was off toward the pool.

Adam, on his way to being good and lit up, turned to me with his eyes sizzling with desire. “Make sure I thank Sarah for these dresses. You’re a freaking smoke show. I want to say you should wear that all the time, but I’m rethinking that idea.”

I reached over to touch his hand. “I think you need to stay away from the bar for a while. Go mingle.”

“Will you save my seat?” he asked, an eyebrow raised.

Taking a chance, I said, “Always.”

“That’s what I like to hear.”

Adam slipped away without another word, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I didn’t know what it was about him that made me want to take a chance, but I wanted to, and that was more than anything I’d ever wanted.

Later, as the party raged on, music filling the air and happy people mingling around the pool as they ate, danced, and drank, I realized it was because Adam let me be who I was meant to be.

Me, whoever that was. A woman without pretense ... a girl whose only ambition was to be wanted and happy.

Adam

“I’ve always wanted to do that,” I said as I slid underneath the bar counter.

Rylan shook her head at me. “You know that flips up so you can walk in without having to do the limbo.”

Smirking, I said, “What fun would that be?”

“What’s next? The hokey-pokey?”

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