Page 16 of Tempest

“Honey, I’m not pushy, just focused on the goal. I always have been and I always be.”

***

Ryan and Ivy sat in the last row of chairs, waiting for the ceremony to start. As he glanced around the gathering, he realized this was one of the oddest groups that could be put together for a wedding. There were all of Katie’s friends who were super-smart medical geeks. Then there were all of Trevor’s spec op brothers. Then, just to make it interesting, several highly accomplished football players were mixed in. Grady and Sara slid into the seats next to them and waved. “Hey, guys.”

“We were late getting out of the house. Glad we made it on time,” Grady said as he sat back in his chair.

Ryan laughed and shook his head. “For the record, the two of you are pretty loud.”

Sara leaned forward and grinned. “We’re not loud. There’s this weird echo thing that happens between the two houses, and it amplifies everything.”

Grady shrugged and slipped his arm around Sara’s shoulders. “I’m having new windows installed next week. That should take care of a lot of it, but I can’t make any promises. It’s my mission in life to make sure that my wife is happy. So I do what’s necessary.”

Sara elbowed him and grimaced. “We’re not married yet, and you don’t need to be talking about that.”

Grady mimed zipping his mouth and sat back with a satisfied smile.

Ivy stood and straightened her dress. “Switch seats with me, Ryan. I want to sit next to Sara so I can gossip with her. We haven’t had any time to hang out this week.”

The men stood and everyone shuffled around. Once Sara and Ivy were sitting together, they started chatting away. Ryan and Grady looked over the women’s heads and both shrugged.

Ivy gasped, and Ryan looked up to see what had caught her attention. Scott Clemins had arrived, and he was walking slowly up the aisle. What the fu…? Why would Ivy react to the football player that way? Was it because he was the most successful and highly paid quarterback in the game? Before he could ask her, the music started, and everyone watched as Trevor and his best man took their places. Glancing down, he noticed that Ivy’s eyes were locked on the back of Scott’s head. As the ceremony began, he tried to dismiss the bad feeling that was starting to form in the pit of his stomach. No way would Ivy have the hots for a damn quarterback.

***

Trevor and Katie kissed once the minister had given them the go-ahead, and damn if that son of a bitch didn’t kiss his wife with everything he had. Hoots and hollers accompanied the couple as Trevor scooped up his bride and jogged down the aisle. Trevor had never been known for his patience, so it made sense that he wanted to get Katie out of there for a couple of private moments before the party started.

The cocktail reception was being held on the other side of the enormous lawn, and Ryan guided Ivy over. He kept a close eye on how much attention she was paying to Scott. If she was the type of girl who would moon over a superstar football player, then he was going to rethink his feelings.

“Ryan, I’m going to search for the bathroom. I’ll come find you later on.”

“I’ll go with you and wait.”

Tilting her head, she gave him a funny look. “What in the world are you talking about? I can find the ladies’ by myself. I certainly don’t need an escort.”

“I was being polite.”

Her big eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms. “Okay, spill. What’s really going on?”

Looking around at the crowd, he shrugged. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He looked down and saw her foot tapping. “Why did you gasp when you saw Scott Clemins, and why are you tracking him like he’s a prize?”

Her head flew back and she let out a laugh loud enough for people to look over. “Scott is definitely not a prize. For your information, we went to the same college, and the sad and sorry SOB broke my best friend’s heart. They dated for almost two years, and he broke up with her when it became clear that he was going to be drafted after graduation. One day it was ‘I love you’ and the next day it was ‘I don’t want to be in a relationship.’ I held Tracy’s hand and watched her cry her eyes out for over six months. I can’t tell you the amount of tequila it took for her to get over him.”

“So, you’re not interested in him?”

“I’m interested in stomping on his foot, but that’s about it.”

He tugged one of her hands and held it. “Okay.”

“Were you thinking that I had the hots for that no-good, disloyal, overpaid athlete?”

“No.”

“I don’t really believe you, but I have to find the ladies’, so we can talk about it later if you want.” She slipped her hand out of his, turned quickly, and almost face-planted into the grass.

“Gotcha.” Ryan lunged and caught her in time. He held her in his arms and grinned into her face. “I knew those heels were dangerous.” He straightened, set her on her feet, and was surprised when she leaned up and kissed him gently on his lips. It was the sweetest kiss he’d ever been given, and he wanted a hundred more.

“Thanks for the save. Now hold my hand and help me find the bathroom.” She tugged him in the direction of the guest house.

---