Page 67 of Just My Luck

Her hand patted my thigh, and I warmed at her touch. My eyes lifted to hers as she smiled. “We got this.” With her gentle squeeze on my leg, I relaxed into the chair.

Bug handed each of us a small dry-erase board and marker. “We’re going to play a little game where we ask questions and the bride and groom answer.”

Well, fuck.

Bug smiled at the eager women. “The guest with the most points at the end will win a special ‘date night in’ basket. It’ll be a fun little game to see how well the couple knows each other.”

Double fuck.

Beside me, Sloane laughed, and the soft tinkling sound helped me relax and lean into the ridiculousness of it all. If this made her happy, I could put up with the charade for her.

“First question,” Bug called out. “Where did you meet?”

Easy.

I scribbled down my answer. At Bug’s command, Sloane and I turned the boards to reveal our answers.

Bug looked at our answers and smiled. “If you said the brewery, give yourself a point. Next question... how did the proposal happen?”

My blood tingled.Do we tell the truth? Do I make something up?

My eyes flashed to Sloane, but she was already writing something down. Unsure what to do, I scribbled my answer:Sloane proposed to me.

After we turned our boards, Bug laughed, and I sagged in relief. “That’s right, Sloane proposed!” A variety of swoony awws and polite claps moved through the small group of women keeping score.

I looked at Sloane and she winked.

“What is the bride’s favorite color?” Bug asked.

I considered my options, my hand hesitating over the white board before scribbling the first answer that felt right. Rosy pinkish.

I turned the board over, and Sloane leaned to see my answer. Her face split into a grin, and she tipped her board so I could see.

Dusty rose.

I winked back at her, feeling more confident as the game wore on.

“Okay, here’s a doozy,” Bug warned. “What is the bride’s shoe size?”

Without hesitation, I scribbled my answer.

Getting into the game, I found my shoulders relaxing. It didn’t matter that eyes were watching us. With Sloane it didn’t feel as though I was on display—it was more like I was part of the group, celebrating with people who cared for Sloane.

Questions varied from my middle name to Sloane’s first job to her favorite band. I nailed them all. When Ms. Tiny was announced as the winner, she accepted her gift basket prize with a rare smile. When Ms. Mabel peered over to look at its contents, the ornery old woman snatched it from her view.

Sloane was radiant. Elegance shone through her smile and the poised manner in which she carried herself. She was warm and engaging, and I stood in awe of her.

At my side, she leaned in. “How did you know all those answers? I didn’t know half of the ones about myself.” She laughed.

I wound my arm around her waist, pulling her close. “I pay attention.”

Her hazel eyes danced with delight as she whispered, “Best. Husband. Ever.”

With a sense of ease and without an ounce of hesitation, I pulled her into me and openly kissed my wife in front of the whole damn town.

TWENTY-FOUR

SLOANE

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