Page 44 of Devoted

My sky blue chiffon dress and white heels fit me perfectly and help give me a boost of confidence that building from his reaction to seeing me dressed as a bridesmaid. I’m not even the bride and I still feel more elegant today than I can remember ever feeling, and I truly believe that is because of the man whose eyes won’t leave me, even as I stand behind my friend and watch her marry the love of her life.

“Even though I see you in a shade of blue similar to this at work, you look stunning, Jess,” Brooks admits breathlessly as we dance on the makeshift dance floor of the tent in Cash and Piper’s backyard a few hours later.

After the ceremony, everyone drove to their house, where the backyard was transformed for their wedding reception. White tents with see-through ceilings and walls are anchored on the grass, housing round tables and chairs for around sixty people. White lilies in vases sit atop each table with tea light candles and crystals scattered around. A DJ stands in one corner of the tents and the dancefloor we’re currently inhabiting lies right in front of him. They also set the caterer from a local Italian restaurant up on the patio where guests are loading their plates buffet-style so they can feast.

“It’s not quite the same shade as ‘scrub blue’, but thank you. You look handsome as well.” This isn’t the first time I’ve seen Brooks in a suit now, but it still shatters my willpower. His navy blue suit hugs his shoulders and arms, straining a bit at the fabric from the muscular shoulders and biceps that I know are beneath. His white shirt is crisp and open just at the top, providing me a glimpse of his sturdy chest I’m dying to see, and his narrow waist is accented by the lines of his jacket and the way his slacks hang on his hips. If we weren’t around all of these people, I’d probably reach back and squeeze his ass I’ve been admiring all day.

The man is insanely handsome. His sandy hair, those soft brown eyes, his height that makes me dizzy when I look up at him for too long—and yet I can’t look away. And I don’t want to, especially with the way he’s staring down at me right now, a sincerity and intensity in his gaze that is new to me, but I love it.

“This wedding is remarkable for a backyard event.”

“Right? Piper wanted it to be intimate, but still romantic and beautiful. I think she chose well.”

“Definitely.”

“Do you—” I pause, unsure if I should ask this question this early in our relationship. But then I figure, better to know where his mind is at now instead of waiting too far down the line. “Do you want to get married someday?”

The corner of his lips turn up in a crooked grin. “Someday. With the right person.”

I nod, looking away from him so he can’t see my blatant relief. “That’s good.”

His fingers find my chin and redirect my line-of-sight back to him. “I just haven’t found her yet. But—I think I might be getting closer.”

I gulp down the lump in my throat as my pulse picks up. Oh, my god. Is he talking about me?

“I’m happy for you then.”

“You should be happy too, Jess.” Our eyes bounce back and forth between each other’s before I rest my head on his chest, not able to hold his gaze any longer because I think I might cry.

Could Brooks really be the guy I’m meant to be with? Can I honestly feel that way after only knowing him for such a short amount of time? I mean, we haven’t even slept together yet.

But everything I do know is guiding me to that decision, and somehow it doesn’t terrify me as much as it should.

Brooks is one of the good ones, the kind of man my mom would have loved and chosen for me herself. I soak up the feeling of being in Brooks’ arms as he holds me through the rest of the song, his fingers dancing across my exposed skin in our movements, hoping that this strength I feel with him isn’t fleeting—that it can be everlasting.

When the song ends, we part and he looks down at me with the biggest smile on his face.

“Are you thirsty? I was going to get a beer.”

“Sure, I’d love a—”

“Vodka and cranberry?” He assumes.

I scoff because he thinks he knows me so well. “Actually, champagne please.”

“I’ll be right back then,” he says before pressing a light kiss to my lips and then making his way over to the bar. My head scours the tent before I lock onto the sight of Luke leaning in and almost kissing Rachel tucked in the corner of the dance floor, my eyes bugging out as I watch his impending move. But then he jumps back like he’s been burned unexpectedly and rushes off in the other direction with Grayson.

Scurrying over to where Rachel is left standing alone, I try not to sneak up and scare her, but I fail miserably. “Did I just see what I think I saw?”

Her hand immediately clasps over her heart. “Jesus, Jess. What the hell?”

“What the hell? Don’t you what-the-hell me! I know what I just saw. Luke was about to kiss you!” I whisper again, this time so we’re face to face.

“I don’t know that he’ll ever be ready, Jess,” she admits defeatedly, her disappointment coming off of her in waves and etched in the sad lines of her face.

“He will, Rach. There’s obviously something between the two of you. Anybody who isn’t blind can see that. But man, he sure is fighting it, huh?” I nudge her playfully.

“You have no idea. And I’m trying to be transparent, but part of me is so scared of getting hurt. How long am I supposed to wait? How long do I keep hope that he’ll give in to these feelings? If I had any doubt about the way he feels about me, it’s been erased with what’s happened just here tonight. But there are still so many issues to face, obstacles to overcome…”

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