Page 66 of Just My Luck

I slid my hand down her arm, twining her fingers with mine. “Ready.”

Together we walked into my aunt’s home. Music played softly in the background, and lively chatter grew louder as we made our way through the home. At the back of the house, the solarium was nothing but warm, afternoon light streaming through floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Women spilled out of the back entrance and into the beautifully landscaped backyard. Champagne and juice stood next to a tray of fruit on decorative wood skewers.

Bug and the Bluebirds had gone all out for Sloane, and affection for my aunt rolled through me. I placed my hand on the small of Sloane’s back and leaned in. “This is all for you, wife.”

She smiled up at me, but the edges wobbled. “It feels like too much,” she whispered as her wide eyes took in the massive floral arrangements that decorated the tables.

“I promise, for you, it’s not.” I lifted her hand, and my lips brushed across her knuckles.

“Aww! Aren’t you two the cutest!” My little sister MJ’s voice broke through the crowd as she moved between two women I didn’t know. Behind her, Emily Ward, my brother Whip’s girlfriend, followed.

I offered a small wave. “Hey, MJ. Emily.”

MJ smiled at me but moved straight for Sloane, wrapping her in a tight hug. “Oh my god. You look so good! Sylvie told me your dress was killer, but this is amazing!” She held Sloane’s hand out so she could take in her outfit. “You’re like Bridal Barbie but hot!”

MJ looked at me, her eyebrows bouncing suggestively. “Nice going, bro.”

Emily and Sloane embraced. I’d watched their friendship slowly bloom whenever Emily and Whip visited the brewery. She was the local librarian and the perfect complement to my younger brother’s wild streak. Somehow they just fit. I wondered whether people looked at Sloane and me and thought the same thing.

I shook my head and sucked a steadying breath into my lungs.

Of course they didn’t. People looked at us and wondered what in the hell Sloane saw in a monster like me.

Sloane clutched MJ’s hand and allowed her to lead us into the fray. Women oohed and aahed over Sloane. Casual questions tumbled over each other—How long had we been secretlytogether? When did we know there was something more between us? How did the kids take the news?

My ears buzzed.

I found solace in Sloane’s steady and sure answers.

We’d been together in secret for a long time—there was just no fighting those feelings!

We knew right away there was something special between us.

The kids are thrilled.

I moved like a wooden doll, lurking behind Sloane like some dark shadow, hoping no one would actually speak to me. I didn’t want to fuck this up for her.

“Here.” Sylvie came up behind me with a champagne flute. “Looks like you need this.”

I grabbed the drink and downed it in one gulp. “Thanks.”

Sloane was being walked out of the enclosed porch by MJ and Emily and led into the sunny backyard when she turned and caught my eye.You okay?she mouthed.

I smiled and nodded. Delight sparkled in her eyes, and the joy that radiated from her made this whole circus worth it.

“Abel,” my aunt called. “It’s time for the first game.”

Beside me, Sylvie barked out a laugh that she tried to cover with a sip of champagne as I nearly growled. “Game?”

Bug scoffed. “Yes, of course. Come on.” She gestured with her hand. “Hop to.”

Sylvie pushed me forward, and I begrudgingly made my way outside. Two chairs were placed in front of a semicircle of tables. Women from all over my small town sat at the tables with small plates of finger foods and champagne. Sloane sat in one of the two chairs.

The walk to the seat next to her felt like a death march. All eyes were on us, and my skin itched beneath my collar.

When I sat, Sloane leaned over. “Relax. You look like your head’s about to pop off.”

I didn’t look at her. “Maybe it feels like it.”

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