Page 26 of Make Me Want it Too

I glance over her head and around. I haven’t seen him yet.

A tall woman all in black with cropped blonde hair and a headset is walking around the periphery with a sharp eye on everything, every once in a while speaking into the headset. She hasn’t blinked.

Tightening my arm around Macy’s waist, I lean in. “There are a lot of people here.”

She nods, finishing a gulp of wine. “Yeah, the Hayeses have a lot of extended family they invited. More will be flying in throughout the week. The daytime activities are just for the bridal party, though.” Her eyes are still wild. Glass empty again.

“Let’s find you some food.” I wave over a server with a tray of appetizers—mini crab cakes with a dot of spicy tartar sauce.

“I’m fine. I’m okay,” she says as I take her glass, and she takes a crab cake in each hand and stuffs them in her mouth back to back.

“Mace!” Bex squeals as we make our way to the front of the receiving line. She’s in some fluffy peach dress, her long blonde hair shining in the sunlight as she squeezes Macy around the shoulders, rocking them side to side.

Jake and I exchange nods, and he reaches out for a handshake. Nah.

“Bring it in, brother,” I say, taking his hand and pulling him in for a big hug. I slap his back as he makes a choking sound.

He stands back, smiling.

Bex is still swaying with Macy, then finally pulls away, grinning. “I’m so glad you’re here! I’m sorry I’ve been so busy with bride duties but we’re going to have so much fun this week.”

Her smile falters as soon as she sees me.

“Wood. Hi. I didn’t know you were going to be here today.”

“Wouldn’t miss it, sis.” I open my arms toward her, but she doesn’t move in. I glance toward Macy.

“He came with me.” Her voice is unusually high and uneven.

“Wait…” Bex looks between us. “Like, with with?”

Macy looks around, a weird, little high-pitched laugh escaping her lips. “Is there more wine somewhere? I need more wine.”

I put my arm back around her waist, gently pulling her back to my side. Hopefully she knows I’ve got her. “With her,” I say.

Bex’s light blue eyes widen, and her mouth falls open before she lets out a little scream. People turn their heads. Waitstaff stop in their tracks. Bex doesn’t care. “Hallelujah!” She hugs Macy again, the scream continuing. “Champagne! This calls for champagne. I’m so happy for you two!”

“You are?” Macy is incredulous, and I’m going to try to not take that personally.

“Come here!” Bex’s slim arms are surprisingly strong as she pulls me in for a hug. “It’s about fucking time,” she whispers in my ear. Pulling back with a smile, she turns back to Macy. “You need to tell me everything. At the dress fitting tomorrow—you’re going to give me all the details. All. The. Details.”

“I am?” Macy lets out that same unhinged laugh, and I squeeze her hip. I’m here.

“Yes! Now, go enjoy the party. I’ll come find you in a bit,” Bex says as the person behind us in line—an older woman in a powder blue pantsuit—clears her throat.

“See, you did great. You didn’t even need to do convincing,” I whisper as we head toward the closest person with a tray.

“I can’t believe she bought the idea of us so quickly. Didn’t even question it.”

“Is it that unbelievable?”

“Yes.”

Ouch.

“Macy, darling.” A woman approaches us just before we reach the guy who has the mini beef Wellingtons. Damn.

I have no earthly idea how to categorize this woman. She has money, obviously, by the designer dress, large pieces of jewelry, and Chanel perfume. She looks older than my mom, but her skin is unusually smooth and firm, so maybe not? Her hair is light and pulled up. I can’t tell if it’s white or blonde. Her smile is warm, teeth impeccable, but her eyes are cold.

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