Page 83 of Yours and Mine (Friends with Benefits)

“We’ll still party, but we want to make sure you’re all right.”

“I think I just got overwhelmed. And the heat, too. It’s pretty humid out today.”

“Have you eaten anything, Jo?”

Eaten? I remembered rushing this morning. I’d finished the last batch of cupcakes, added fresh pansies to the wedding cake, and then showered and did my hair. By the time I put on my dress, we were leaving.

“I think I skipped breakfast.”

Nick reached inside his pocket and pulled out a granola bar, tore the paper, and passed it to me. “Next time, I’m checking if you ate,” he warned.

“Yes, sir.” I winked and took a bite of the bar. It was one of the most delicious things I had ever tasted. “Dad, Marge, I’m so sorry.”

My father helped me to a chair. Nick wouldn’t leave my side. He never let go of my other arm and made sure I finished the granola bar to the last crumb.

“Nothing to be sorry about. It wouldn’t be a wedding without a little bit of mischief. How are you feeling?” my father asked.

“Better. I think we can get this party started.”

“Good, because I’m starving.” I saw Carter pat his stomach. If he was trying to cover up that he was worried, it wasn’t working. I had seen him peeking from behind Nick when I was still down on the floor.

Doctor Burke pushed through the crowd. He’d gone to his car to grab his black doctor bag, and now he set it down beside me. He wrapped the Velcro band around my arm to take my blood pressure and grabbed my wrist to take my pulse, took my temperature, and asked me whether anything was hurting from the fall.

“No, I’m pretty sure Carter cushioned me,” I said.

“Well, your pulse is still a little low.” He passed me a box of orange juice. “Drink this before you do anything else and check back with me at my office next week.”

“Yes, of course.”

Once I got cleared to enjoy the wedding, Nick secured me under the arm to his side, never letting go, and we made our way to where the festivities were being held by the lake.

There was no pageant of cars honking because like everything else in this town, the lake was a stone’s throw from the church. Despite the heat, everyone walked to celebrate the new union.

Tents had been set up over tables laden with home-cooked food the families had prepared. It was a full-out potluck galore, barbecue style, because who didn’t like hot dogs and burgers? Carter proudly stood by the grill, flipping the meats, calling out to kids to get their hot dogs.

“Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” Nick asked. “You still look a little pale.”

“Yes, I’m much better now. I think it was the stress of the day, and not having breakfast.”

“Do you want anything else to eat?”

“What I really want is for you to stop worrying so much.”

“That will never happen. Fruits. You didn’t eat any fruit today.”

“Nick, really. I’m okay.”

“You say that now and then you’ll faint later.” He looked up to see my father waving at him. “Looks like I gotta help move a table. I’ll grab you some water on the way back.”

He kissed me and hurried over to my father. I watched him jog. It looked almost like slow motion and was so sexy that I felt my breasts swell and nipples ache at the sight. I adjusted the top of my dress, wondering whether the fit on the girls was a bit too tight, when I heard a voice from behind me.

“Making sure your cupcakes don’t spill?” Carter asked.

I rolled my eyes and ignored his comment. “Just the man I was looking for. I’m sorry about what happened at the church.”

“You fell, and I caught you.”

“No, I mean, when I was on top of you and made you… uncomfortable.”

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