Page 85 of Restricted List

She sighs. “I miss you, too. I’m sorry for basically falling off the face of the Earth. I’m just completely in my head right now.”

I lean down, lips brushing against her ear as I say, “A good fuck will do that for you.”

Rory’s head falls back as she laughs. “I cannot believe you ever used to be awkward around me.”

“A good fuck can take care of that, too, baby.”

“Are we interrupting something?” Ella asks, raising her eyebrow suggestively. We both just laugh.

“We were just talking, Ell,” Rory says. “We’re friends, remember?”

Stillreallyfucking hate that word.

“Friends who fu-... have fun,” Lane adds, catching himself before Sage has another opportunity to turn into an adorable little parrot.

“That was one time,” I say nervously. Because I would really like for it to be more than once. A lot more than once.

“Okay, I get it now,” Harlow says with a disgusted look on her face. “I’m sorry Knox and I ever said anything around you. Please don’t talk about defiling my best friend in my presence.”

Our laughter is interrupted by the wedding coordinator arriving.

We spend the next hour perfecting everything for the ceremony tomorrow.

The guys move to the front of the room, Josh obviously standing in the center right next to the officiant. Lane, the Best Man, stands in front of me, and Knox stands behind me.

We all watch as the girls start the processional. Sage technically starts it out, but seeing as she isn’t even two yet, Harlow walks with her to help keep her focused. Rory walks next, followed by Lucia, the Maid of Honor.

Once we’re all in position at the front of the room, we watch Ella enter. She’s in a white dress, but a casual one. That doesn’t stop Josh’s breath from catching in his throat as he watches his bride-to-be step down the aisle to him.

Josh loves Ella; we all know that. But he’s not an emotional man.

Based on the way he’s watching her right now, though, he’s going to be a blubbering mess tomorrow during the actual ceremony.

And yet again, I’m envious.

I’ve never been in love, but I want it. I want what Josh has with Ella and what Knox has with my sister.

It’s so painfully obvious to everyone who I want that with.

My eyes catch Rory’s, and I can feel the pull between us. I hope she feels it, too. And I hope the pull is so strong that she can’t keep avoiding it.

She gives me a soft smile, and my stomach flutters.

I have fucking butterflies because Rorysmiledat me.

Am I actually getting close to thirty? Because I kinda feel like a damn teenager right now.

I don’t hate it like I thought I would, though.

I’ve always been a happy and optimistic man, but I’ve never felt as happy as I am right now.

And that’s all because Rory is smiling at me.

Sorry, Skip, but I want your daughter. Tobe withyour daughter.

And tonight, I’m telling her.

The rehearsal dinner may be at the Plaza Hotel, but with our friend group, you’d never be able to tell. When we’re all together, the jokes are loud and often inappropriate, the drinks flow since we’re in the offseason, and good times are had.

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