Page 114 of One Touch

I laughed. “It’s a good thing you’re not drinking tonight. You’re already incorrigible.”

“I genuinely don’t think I’d be able to get married tomorrow if I was drinking tonight. Lucky for me, everyone is going to be hungover at my wedding except me. Which means I get to be averysmug bride.”

“You already are,” I teased with a wink.

“Watch it, Maid of Honor, or I won’t throw the bouquet anywhere near you.”

“Please don’t,” I quipped back. “I don’t want to get married. That bouquet is a poison chalice.”

There was already a small crowd on the deck of the boat. Jenna, the real estate agent, was here, laughing at something Ida said. And there was Jack McCoy, the elusive third triplet, fresh off his latest NFL victory with the Montreal Canadiens, his reddish-brown hair gleaming in the fading sunlight, cleft chin jutting arrogantly as always.

“Thanks for coming, Lils,” Cole said, before giving me a kiss on the cheek.

“Thank Susie and Patrick!” I replied. They were back from their jujitsu tour of South America, just in time to take Rhea, Lexi and Ava for a sleepover.

“Shame you didn’t get Jack to babysit.” That was Connie, who was giving Jack some serious stink-eye. Connie was wearing an immaculate nautical-themed outfit, with a blue and white off-the-shoulder top and smart white chinos. “He’s only been backfive minutes and hasn’t stopped boasting about that win against the Ottawa Redblacks.”

“Who hasn’t stopped boasting?” asked Jenna, appearing beside us.

Connie shrugged sheepishly. “Nobody.”

“Hey, Lily,” said Jenna, her voice carrying over the pulsing music. “Good to see you. Sorry about your wedding, though.”

Jenna went to high school with me, Mary-Beth, and Elara. She was always just Elara’s friend—way too popular for the likes of me. Tonight, she was dressed to kill, wearing a low-cut red dress that clung to her like a second skin, making me feel almost frumpy in my carefully chosen black number.

I couldn’t help but notice that a couple of the guys—Cole’s friends I didn’t recognize—were having a pretty close look at Jenna. Their eyes followed her movements like magnets drawn to steel. I didn’t blame them; Jenna had always had that effect on people.

“Ah yeah, thanks,” I said, my tongue suddenly feeling too big for my mouth. “It’s no biggie. I mean, it was a biggie. But it’s not a biggie anymore.” I cringed inwardly. Jeez. Sometimes I went right back into high school mode, getting nervous around the “popular girls” and making a fool of myself. It was a good thing I never got like that around Elara.

Jenna’s perfectly shaped eyebrow arched slightly, a mix of amusement and something else—was that sympathy?—flashing across her face. “Well, I’m glad you’re here,” she said, her tone softening. “Elara’s been talking about this party for weeks. She really wanted you to have a good time.”

I felt a warmth spread through my chest at her words. Maybe Jenna wasn’t as unapproachable as I’d always imagined. Or maybe we’d both just grown up a little since high school.

“Thanks, Jenna,” I managed, this time without stumbling over my words. “I’m looking forward to it. You look amazing, by the way.”

She beamed at the compliment, and for a moment, I saw a glimpse of the insecure teenager beneath the polished exterior. “You too, Lily. Now, let’s get you a drink. I hear the bartender makes a mean cocktail that’ll make you forget all about biggie and non-biggie things alike.”

As we walked headed for the bar, I looked around for Ethan. There was no sign.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and got excited for a minute, but I turned around to see Cole.

“Don’t suppose you’ve seen my brother, have you?” Cole asked, stepping closer.

“Me?” My cheeks were suddenly warm. “Why would I have seen hi—”

“Because you’re Ava’s nanny and you live at his house?” Cole replied, quick as a snap. “Why? Is there some other reason?” He had a wicked smile on his lips.

“Nope. Those are good reasons. Sensible reasons.”

“Ah,” he said, his eyes drifting past me. “There he is.”

I turned to look. Yup. It was Ethan all right.

He. Looked. Hot.

I’d never really got Hawaiian shirts before. Always found them a little garish and over the top.

But Jesus Christ, did Ethan McCoy look insanely handsome in this one.

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