Page 154 of Runaway Bride and Prejudice

I’m having a hard time myself. My nose is doing that tingling thing and it’s hard to swallow. “Sounds good, Dr. Van de Kamp. I’ll also accept payment in the form of shredded or sliced.”

She squeezes me tighter, laughing.

There is a sudden commotion at the door, which can only mean one thing.

“It’s time!” Eli announces, bounding into the room. “Hope you’ve got your pants on!”

Callie whispers, “Thanks,” and slips out of my embrace.

“Why wouldn’t I have pants on?” I ask as the rest of the guys file into the room.

Eli shrugs. “I don’t know. Coming in here feels a little like coming into a locker room or something, all private-like and intimate.”

“Speaking of intimate,” Alec says. “Do we need to have a talk about the wedding night? What to expect?”

“I think I’m good,” I tell him, covering Grey’s ears. Leaning closer to her, I say, “You should go before the three of you get corrupted by the untoward influence of my teammates.”

“Like they could corrupt us,” Lex says loftily. “But we should go check on Amelia.”

“Tell her hi!” I call as my sisters start to file out the door. “Actually, tell her I said, ‘Shoot the hostage.’”

Logan snorts, and Nathan gives me the kind of look that would turn a grape into a raisin right on the vine. Alec is shaking his head. In appreciation or exasperation—kind of hard to tell which one.

I ignore them all.

Callie pauses, one foot halfway out the door. “You want me to tell herthat? Right now—ten minutes before your wedding? Not very romantic, bro.”

“It’s a quote fromSpeed. She’ll get it. It’s a Keanu thing.”

“You’re so weird,” she mutters as she closes the door behind her.

As soon as my sisters are gone, the guys descend on me.

“Went a little short on the beard, eh?”

“Could have used a little trim on the back of your hair, too. Want me to do it? I’ve got a pair of fingernail clippers in my pocket.”

“If you’re going to quote Keanu to your wife, you should really pick a better quote. Like ‘I know kung fu.’”

“So, does this count as yoursecondmarriage? Because if so, I don’t think we’re obligated to give you a gift.”

All the teasing has the effect of calming me down, kind of like a hockey player’s lullaby. I’m not sure if that’s the intent or if they’re just being obnoxious, but I appreciate them, nonetheless.

I don’t get a chance to say so because a voice booms from the doorway, “That’senough!”

Coach’s booming voice has us all whipping around and standing at attention like we’re military men, not hockey players.

He glares from the doorway, his eyes moving from man to man to man until they finally land and stick on me.

“Leave us,” he says, and I gulp.

“Hope you’re wearing your cup,” Alec whispers in my ear as he passes.

“And a bulletproof vest,” Eli mutters.

But the moment they’re all gone, Coach’s face breaks into a grin, and I relax. Mostly.

“How’s my second least favorite player and first least favorite son-in-law?”

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