Page 100 of That Kind of Guy

Emmett took my hand and led me along the trees at the edge of the sand. I inhaled the cool breeze coming in off the ocean and let the sun warm my skin. The late-Spring temperature was just a little bit too cold, but I didn’t mind since Emmett was happy to tuck me into his side to stay warm. Birds floated in the water, bobbing as the waves rolled in.

I gave him a sidelong look. “I thought this would be a lot harder.”

“Getting married?”

I nodded.

“Me too.” He squeezed my hand and my heart flipped in my chest.

We wandered down the beach for a bit before turning around and heading back towards where we started. I could hear the clicking of the photographer’s camera but paid no attention to it.

“Get any good shots?” I asked her when we were ready to head to the restaurant.

She glanced up from her camera with a wistful smile. “One or two.”

25

Emmett

My mom heldher glass of champagne high in the air on The Arbutus patio “To Avery and Emmett!”

“To Avery and Emmett,” the guests on the restaurant patio chorused, and Avery and my gazes met as we clinked glasses.

My hand was glued to Avery’s low back, and it slid a couple inches lower on the soft fabric. Her eyes opened a fraction wider over her champagne glass.

“Stop that.” The corner of her mouth pulled up.

I looked down at her. “I won’t.”

Fucking hell, I was hard again. I had been hard all goddamn day.

Avery’s hair moved in the breeze, and she gave me a soft smile. Her eyes looked so brilliantly blue in the light and my chest felt tight.

I had to give Div credit, he and Max had transformed the restaurant. It was decorated in tiny twinkle lights, inside and out. We were sitting out on the patio, overlooking the ocean while we ate dinner.

“Your mom and my mom are fast friends,” I mentioned to Avery while dinner was being served. Our moms sat together, talking and laughing.

She nodded and gave me a lopsided smile. “I’ve noticed. Kind of makes me wonder what I was so worried about.” Her gaze slid to me. “Thanks for telling me not to invite my dad.” She winced and bit her lip. “I still feel guilty, but at least I’m not worrying about him doing something and ruining the night.”

“Don’t mention it. It really isn’t a big deal.”

There was that lopsided smile again. “It really is.”

I leaned over and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek, something to remind her that I was here and on her side. I remembered the way she looked at me during the ceremony, so sweet, open, and trusting, and my chest ached. I meant every word during my vows, and she had no idea. She thought it was all fake. I couldn’t tell her yet, though. She had too much on her mind. Tuesday, she’d sign the papers to buy the restaurant. Once things had calmed down, in a week or two, I’d tell her how I felt.

I’d tell her that I loved her and wanted to do this for real.

I blew a breath out. Holy shit. My heart raced with excitement and nerves, just thinking about saying those words to her.

I shook the thoughts out of my head. Soon.

“Big day Tuesday.”

She laughed. “Big day today.”

“How are you feeling?”

She glanced over across the patio, a couple tables away at Keiko, who was talking with Miri, Scott, Will, and Nat. “I’ve waited so long to buy this place and now it’s finally here.”

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