Page 40 of Somebody To Love

“Now,” their mother said, wiping a finger underneath both eyes. “Let’s get to the restaurant.”

They all piled into two trucks. Ace and their mother in one, Del riding with BJ in his. When they arrived, Kelley had everything set up perfectly.

“Del, you and Dorothy will start the processional in about five minutes.” Kelley winked and clucked her tongue. “Oh, and I saw your bride all decked out in her dress, you lucky man, you.”

“You got that right.”

BJ loved the big, goofy grin on his brother’s face. Warmth filled his chest to see his little brother so happy. Marriage might not be for him, but it looked like it would be damn good on Del.

“Okay, guys. Line up.” Kelley waved over their heads. “Ladies! Over here and tell Cassie to stay in the bathroom till I get her. Can’t have the groom sneaking an early peek. Bad luck and all that.”

None of them really believed in luck. Hard work and dedication was the Jackson family motto. But all those thoughts flew right out of his brain as Penny and Charlie came into the small hallway from the bathroom. His sister looked almost unrecognizable in the pale blue dress, soft makeup and…was that pink on her nails? He didn’t think he’d ever seen his smart-ass, semi-goth sister ever wear any kind of pink before. Huh. The things people did for weddings.

But that wasn’t really what snagged his attention. No. That honor went to Penny. An absolute vision in her soft blue dress. The color brought out the greens and blues in her hazel eyes. Her hair had been curled, half of it pinned up in an intricate twist that made him want to tug out all the pins to see it tumble down. The rest fell down her back like a waterfall of bright red lava.

Damn!

He was poised to go off, just staring at her. His chest tightened. It wasn’t warmth that filled it this time but burning lust. How the hell was he supposed to get through this wedding when he had to walk down the aisle next to her? Touch her? Resist taking her into his arms and—

Tonight, he’d get to do all that tonight.

Hell yeah! Putting thoughts of what he wanted to do with Penny to the side, he held out his arm for her. She blushed, freckles standing out on her pale skin like millions of cinnamon sprinkles.

And tonight, he was going to taste every one of them.

“You look beautiful,” he bent his head, whispering in her ear as the processional music started.

“Thanks, you clean up pretty well yourself.”

“Okay, people, this is it.” Kelley motioned for everyone to pay attention.

Those were the last words they spoke as Kelley instructed Del and Dorothy to start. He waited until she signaled him and then headed down the aisle arm in arm with Penny. A strange unwelcome feeling sat in the pit of his gut as he walked down the white runner, the faces of their friends and family smiling happily at him. Discomfort seized his lungs, making it momentarily hard to breathe.

Stupid.

This wasn’t his wedding. He wasn’t getting married. Just because he happened to be walking down the aisle with his best friend, who he planned to…well, anyway. It meant nothing. Nothing about his future had changed.

The ceremony went off without a hitch. The reception was held in the restaurant, so luckily no one had to drive anywhere. As best man, Ace gave a speech, parting from his normal stoicism and razzing their little brother while telling Cassie she was way too good for him. Charlie’s speech was in the same vein.

After his sister sat down, he raised a glass to the happy couple, looked his little brother straight in the eye and said with a grin, “Oh, and Del, if you guys ever get divorced, we’re keeping Cassie and you’re out.”

Everyone laughed, even Del, as he crossed his arms and grumbled, “You guys are my siblings. Where’s the family love?”

“Don’t worry, sweetie,” Cassie rubbed the tip of her nose against his. “We’re all family now.”

They kissed, and everyone cheered. He loved how happy his brother was, but as thrilled as he was for Del and Cassie, his brain anxiously waited for this night to be over so he could take Penny home. Brain or body, buddy? Both, okay, mostly body.

They ate delicious food prepared by the kitchen staff of their restaurant. All the traditions were upheld; the cake cutting, the bouquet toss—which Penny caught. Garter toss, which hilariously, Ace caught, then threw down in horror.

“Does that mean Ace has to marry Penny now?”

He glared at his sister, enjoying her third piece of cake. “No. It’s a silly tradition. A joke.”

“Ooooo, Mr. Touchy. Sorry, did I hit a nerve? Not willing to share your BFF with your brother?”

“Grow up, Charlie. And if you eat any more cake, you’re going to rot a hole in all your teeth.”

She responded by elegantly giving him the middle finger before shoving a huge bite of cake into her mouth.

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