Page 64 of The Best Man Wins

“A protective older brother’s job is never done.”

“You’re going to be a protective uncle soon,” she says and steps closer. “How does that feel?”

“Bizarre.”

“I think you’ll be a good uncle. You’ll be the distant, scholarly, cool uncle.”

I lift my eyebrows. “Scholarly?”

“Yeah. Because of your glasses.” She pinches them between my eyes. “They look good on you, by the way. You should wear them around more often.”

“Wouldn’t want anyone mistaking me for a scholar.”

She’s close again, in the danger zone that makes me lose all common sense around her. She’s so playful, adorable, and I don’t know yet if she realizes quite the effect she has on me.

“I need to see if Thom needs help getting everything ready for the wedding tomorrow,” she sighs. “I’m burning daylight.”

“Do you need a ride?” I ask.

She nods. “Sure. That’d be nice. I’m going to jump in the shower…meet me downstairs?”

“All right.”

Susie pushes herself up on her tiptoes and pecks a quick kiss to my lips before charging out of the room again.

If there’s any part of me that’s supposed to get used to that, it’s not happening.

I leave Cora’s room to head downstairs. I nearly run into Ray on the way there.

“Hey, Braxo, you got a moment?”

I pause at that and nod. “Sure.”

“Listen…Mama wants to take us out and buy us a round. Cora gets seltzer water, of course, but I figured you and I could bury the hatchet over a couple of drinks.”

I consider it. Dingy bar, thick smoke, Roxanne and Lena fawning over baby names. It sounds like a great time—for them. I know myself well enough to know I’d be a chokehold on their party.

“There’s nothing to bury,” I tell him sincerely. I extend a hand. “Enjoy your night. Take care of my sister.”

Ray looks slack-jawed for a moment. Then that big, stupid grin spreads across his face. “C’mere,” he says and abandons my handshake for a full, bone-crushing hug. “I’m the damn luckiest guy around to have a brother-in-law like you.”

I wheeze. Christ, don’t make me regret liking you. I pat his back awkwardly.

Eventually, Ray drops me from his grip and squeezes my shoulder. He grins. “You’re a good man. Thanks. For everything.”

“Don’t mention it,” I tell him.

“Can’t wait for you to hand me that ring tomorrow.” He pats my chest once before heading into his room. Meanwhile, my blood goes cold.

Well, crap. The ring.

I go to Susie’s door and knock rapidly, over and over, until she answers. She blinks at me with startled doe eyes, her blonde hair wet.

“What is it?” she asks.

“We have to leave. Now.”

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