Page 69 of When You Had Me Adapting

“I didn’t realize you all were getting married so soon,” Chris says, looking at me. I sip my beer and try not to look at him. I have a plus one, but after trivia I wasn’t sure I wanted it to beChris. I told myself if this weekend went good, I would invite him to come with me. I still don’t know what I want to do.

“Who’s in the wedding?” Jace asks.

“My sister and Enzo’s brother. We wanted to keep the wedding party small.”

“And then Tink and Peter are the flower girl and ring bearer,” Enzo chuckles.

“Your dogs?” Tanner asks before sipping from the can he’s holding.

“Dogs?” Enzo gasps for dramatic effect. “Tink and Peter are our children.”

I have to swallow a laugh imagining their dogs walking down the aisle. Tink is an old English mastiff and Peter is a yorkie.

“Dogs at a wedding?” Chris asks. His face contorts into something resembling disgust.

“Why not? It’s their wedding. They can do whatever they want,” I argue.

He shrugs. “I don’t know. Aren’t weddings supposed to be formal? Dogs are so dirty. You aren’t concerned about them ruining your day?”

Donovan and Enzo look at each other and back at Chris.

“Well, I think it’s a great idea. I’ve always wanted a dog,” I say. “Peter and Tink are very cute children and the day wouldn’t be complete without them there.” Chris doesn’t respond. Donovan offers me a thankful smile.

“We got Tink this little tutu and Peter has a bow tie,” Enzo tells the group. Donovan’s eyes stay locked on his fiancé and you can tell he’s so in love. That feeling of jealousy or maybe it’s longing returns deep in my gut. I wonder if I will ever find someone who will love me that wholly.

“That’s precious. Gray and I were talking the other day. It was so nice of you to invite us. We are a good time at a wedding,” Wren giggles. “One of the girls from work, Jasmine, got marriedand we had to cut Gray off from the champagne at the after party. I’m pretty sure she was doing the splits by the end of the reception.”

“I didn’t know you were coming,” Tanner blurts out. Everyone turns to face him.

“Of course they’re coming. We invited them the night we met them.” Donovan laughs. I look toward Wren and she’s gone quiet. Her eyes are locked on Tanner and I wonder for a moment what that’s about.

“So, where’s the honeymoon?” Poppy asks, breaking the awkward silence.

“We aren’t doing one right away,” Enzo says.

“Yeah, with Enzo’s work schedule we had to postpone it until his winter break,” Donovan adds.

“I get that,” Logan says. “Where are you going?”

“Bora Bora,” Enzo answers. “It’ll be the perfect weather and it’s an adult only resort, so after having to be around middle schoolers for four months it’ll be a nice and relaxing break from work.”

“I’m going to grab another water, anyone else want a beer or anything from the cooler?” Jace asks, swimming toward the ladder hanging off the back of the boat.

“I’ll take a beer,” Chris says.

“Me too,” Tanner and Logan say at the same time.

“And me,” Poppy says.

“I’m good,” Wren chimes in.

“Let me help you,” Chris offers before swimming toward the boat.

My gaze follows both men toward the ladder. Chris pulls himself up and onto the boat first. My stomach twists at how little the view does for me and I’m not sure why. He’s attractive, fit, and smart. He has that dimple when he smiles, but my bodystays neutral. No dancing vagina, not even one pathetic butterfly in my stomach.

Jace pulls himself out of the water next and every thought I was having about Chris empties from my head. At the sight of him my body erupts with feelings. The muscles in his arms flex and I cross my legs to dull the very present feeling dancing between my thighs.Fuck.The sun reflects off the water rolling down his chest and abs. I want to look away, but I can’t. He runs his hand through his dark hair and I realize I’m very attracted to the handsome, tattooed man I’m supposed to be friends with.

“Earth to Lacey,” Poppy chimes, splashing me with water and breaking the thoughts I shouldn’t be having. “Whatcha looking at?”

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