Page 6 of Something Borrowed

“Sorry,” she whispered, clutching his elbow a touch too enthusiastically.

The walk felt considerably shorter than it had when she had been unused to touching Jaxon. Not to mention most people were buried behind their phones, snapping shots as the wedding party exited the ceremony space.

“You can probably let go now.” Jaxson grinned once they were back in the house.

“Right. Sorry,” She mumbled, releasing his elbow and turning, nearly slamming into Teresa and Mark as they walked into the house as well. Turning her attention to Kailey and Jim, she smiledwide.

“Did you always do that?” Jaxon asked, stepping in front ofher.

“Dowhat?”

“Apologize so much.” He winked and looked around. “I seem to remember you being a bit of a pushover with my sister, but you were always a spitfire withme.”

She wasn’t certain if he meant it as a compliment or an insult, but before she could respond she heard the outside musicstop.

“I’ll need the wedding party outside in five minutes for pictures.” The photographer called from just outside thedoor.

“Excuse me, really quick!” Kailey shouted, causing everyone to turn to where she stood, still holding Jim’s hand and smiling brightly in her crystal-covered white gown. “I know I’ve been kind of a witch the past thirty-six hours, but I really do appreciate each and every one of you for sharing this day with us.” Her eyes narrowed as she looked at her brother. “Except for you. I don’t even think I want to know what you were doing there.” There was a slight edge to her voice, but nothing compared to how she usually sounded when something didn’t go right.

“What can I say? I’m too lovable of a guy not to have been a part of everything.” Jaxon grinned.

Whirling on him, Adrianna glared at him. “Do not start World War three. I do not care how many times you’ve seen combat; I do not want you fucking up this day forher.”

The grin shifted into a satisfied smirk as he crossed his arms over his chest, accentuating how small the borrowed Best Man tux was on his muscular frame. She wasn’t certain if the whimper she’d made in her head at the action had come out of her mouth ornot.

“There’s the girl I remember. Glad to see she’s still in there after all these years.”

“What’s that supposed tomean?”

“It’s supposed to mean I was rather fond of the person you were and am glad to see you haven’t changed – merely that you’re trying to keep my baby sister calm.” He strode past her. “I believe Dad mentioned the photos will be out front, follow me everyone and someone tell the caterer to bring out the drinks, if I know Kailey we will be out there a lot longer than expected trying to get the photos just right.”

“Jaxon! I swear you live to annoy me. You could be anything you wanted to be, and instead, you choose to make it your life’s work to piss meoff.”

He blew his sister a kiss. “Always, Kailey. Always.”

* * *

“You know,I meant what I said earlier,” Jaxon said casually as he lifted the whiskey glass to his lips and took a sip as he sidled up next to Adrianna.

Turning ever so slightly she looked at him, finally able to do so without being reminded of her teen fantasies about him. “Meantwhat?”

“That you looked beautiful.”

A small chill raced through her, but she ignored it. Facing him fully, she studied his expression for any indication that he was up to something or wanting something. All she saw were two bright eyes staring back at her with whimsy in them and a chiseled jaw made for fantasies.

“Thanks.” Cringing, she wondered if it sounded as jilted aloud as it had in herhead.

Chuckling, he polished off his drink at set it on a server’s tray as they walked by. “You don’t seem to take compliments too well. Makes me wonder if you don’t get them often enough.”

“I take them just fine. Just not from my best friend’s older brother who almost always had an ulterior motive for everything he did back in high school.”

He held his hands up in mock surrender, his smirk shifting into a goofy grin. “You’ve woundedme.”

She smirked that time, reminded of all the times they’d traded comments in this fashion before he’d gone away. “Yes, well, I’ve had plenty of years to practice.”

Jaxon shook his head and offered his hand. “Dance withme?”

Inside, she was thrilled at the question, her heart pounded so frantically she wondered if he couldn’t hear it where he stood a few inches from her. Externally, she raised her right brow. “Why?”

---