Page 95 of Leave

Nolan shuddered. “I, um… I don’t know. I don’t really know what we can do that won’t have people thinking something is up.”

“Okay. Well. How about this? If you do think of something in the moment, let me know. Text it to me if you have to. Or if I see a way to put some space between you and her without raising any eyebrows, I’ll let you know.” I touched his arm. “Worst case, we’re out of here in like a week and a half.”

He exhaled, his shoulders sagging. “Thank fuck for that. And… I like your plan. We’ll play it by ear.” He cracked a subtle smile. “Thanks for having my back.”

“Any time.”

I meant it to my core.

But I wasn’t sure I trusted myself to be around Leann after this.

Chapter 24

Nolan

“You could’ve just had him wear his uniform.” Andrew gestured at me. “Then the rest of us could all get the same tux and be done with it.”

Matt laughed. “Sophia wants all the guys in tuxes.”

Andrew and the other groomsmen all made meowing noises and whip-cracking gestures.

Matt rolled his eyes. “You know what? Fine.” He turned to the infinitely patient saleswoman. “Can you get them all matching vests with Yankees logos and—”

Instantly, the room was full of vehement protests from his groomsmen, and he snickered as the saleswoman just laughed and shook her head.

I chuckled myself as I put on the vest she’d brought out for me. I was still off-balance and sick to my stomach after telling Riley everything yesterday, but I felt better today. If nothing else, this was a distraction. Dealing with tuxes and all that fun stuff with my brother and his other groomsmen was something to do besides let my past swallow me whole.

It helped that Riley was here. He was sitting on a bench in the fitting room, ogling me while bantering with all of us, and I let his presence soothe my nerves.

He knew. He believed me. Telling him everything had ripped open a lot of wounds, but it had also been cathartic in ways I hadn’t realized I’d needed. Today, stepping back into something like normal life was weird, but I managed.

I stole a glance at him in the mirror as I buttoned the vest. Riley was here. I was fine.

Every now and then, he’d surreptitiously shoot me a concerned look. One that quite obviously read,You good?I knew to my core that if I said I wasn’t, or that I needed to step away for a while, he’d make it happen. As much as I didn’t want to depend on someone else—as much as I didn’t want to burden him or not stand on my own two feet—it was reassuring to know that backup was there.

Jesus, Riley. You have no idea what a relief it is that you’re here.

Right then, he shot me another of those looks, meeting my reflected gaze. His eyebrows rose just slightly.

You good?

I nodded.

His smiled, returned the nod, and the moment passed. Was I imagining the way his shoulders relaxed after I’d confirmed I was okay?

Hell, maybe hedidknow how relieved I was that he was here.

“How is that fitting?” the saleswoman asked, pulling my focus from Riley. I turned, and she looked me up and down. “Oh, that’s definitely the right size. How does it feel?”

I looked down at it, then met her gaze and shrugged. “It’s fine. I can breathe in it, so that’s a plus.”

She laughed. “It is a plus. We don’t need any groomsmen passing out during the vows.”

“Oh my God,” Matt groaned. “I swear, if one of you passes out during the ceremony…”

“We’ll draw dicks on his face?” Chase offered.

“Ooh, tie his shoelaces together!” Tristan suggested.

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