Page 33 of The Way We Score

Now she’s sitting out there beside her mother, and I’m trying not to wish this would all hurry up and finish. I’m so ready to touch her again.

The pastor asks for the rings, and I watch as Kimmie skips forward with her basket. Edward very seriously takes a velvet pouch from his pocket, placing it on the Bible before stepping back.

It’s the final step in the process, and I glance down the row at all the girls dabbing their eyes. Dylan gazes up at Logan as they say the words,With this ring, I thee wed.

My sister raises her hands, helping her husband lift the veil off her face, and once it’s gone, he looks at her like he’s discovered a new land.

Devotion glows in his eyes as she steps forward. My sister gazes up at him with so much love. Their lips unite, and the entire place erupts with clapping and whistles, cheering and cat-calls. Everyone has been waiting for this moment.

They’re pronounced husband and wife, and finally, it’s time to party.

“Why didI drink so much purple drink last night?” Allie holds her small bouquet over her forehead, leaning hard on the table.

“You must’ve had more than I did.” Liv slides a hand over her shoulders. “I’m not feeling too bad today.”

“I was sampling the recipe as I mixed it.” Allie moans.

“Here.” Jack puts a plate of tiny meatballs and small, round toasts in front of her. “See if that helps.”

“My hero!” she cries, grabbing the plastic fork and stabbing one. “Give me five more of these, and I might come back to life.

Clapping erupts from the other side of the patio, and I glance over to see Dylan and Logan emerge through the French doors leading to Miss Gina’s elaborate foyer.

“Thank God they let us escape. I’m going to be green in every wedding photo.” Allie squints at the crowd. “Is that Logan’s dad?”

Sure enough, Kellan Murphy stands near the front of the group to the right of the doors. He’s dressed in a clearly expensive wool suit, and his chiseled face is not smiling as always.

“We should introduce him to Aunt Thelma.” Our grandmother’s youngest sister is lurking around somewhere in her old lady brown dress and matching jacket.

She drove all the way down here from Birmingham, and I bet all she’ll do is nit-pick everything.

“She brought Kimmie an American Girl doll.” Hendrix snorts from where he’s standing beside Raven. “Kimmie screamed and ran away crying.”

“I told Aunt Thelma she doesn’t like the eyes.” Jack slides his hand down the front of his suit coat, seeming frustrated. “She never listens. Dylan didn’t like them either.”

Raising my voice, I lift a chin at my brother. “She needs to show Aunt Thelma her cooter.”

Rachel leans forward, almost doing a spit-take, and Allie collapses on Liv’s shoulder laughing.

“What other choice does she have?” Liv nods, and that does it.

I’m not letting this girl go without at least another kiss.

Everyone’s lining up for food, but now that the bride and groom are here, the DJ cranks up the music. It’s time to make my move.

“Are you hungry?” I lean down to take Liv’s hand.

A hint of a smile is on her lips, and her nose wrinkles. “I had a little snack before we came, so I’m okay for now.”

“Good. Let’s dance.”

The first notes of that old song “Shivers” begin, and I lead her to the dance floor. We’re not the only ones skipping the line. Dylan’s veil is gone as she squeals trotting over to join us in the patio space marked off as a dance floor.

“My favorite dance partners!” Her hands go over her head, and her hips twist.

White lace spins around us, but my eyes are on Liv. Our bodies are together, and we groove, closer than ever, letting the rhythm move us in time.

The knee-length skirt of her coral dress swishes around her long legs, and my hands are on her waist. Light sparkles in her eyes, and she smiles up at me like she’s having as much fun as I am.

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