Page 68 of Two Risks I'd Never Take Again

The deejay raised his hand, and the crowd quieted. “Family and guests, please welcome the bride and groom, Delaney and Eli.”

The doors opened, and Eli and Delaney strolled into the room hand in hand.

Garrett’s hand tightened around mine. “Need a tissue?”

“Yes, but I didn’t have anywhere to stash one.” He let go of my hand and reached into his pocket. “I thought you might need these.” He offered me a tissue from a small packet. “There are more in my pocket whenever you need them.”

I dabbed at my eyes, then clasped his hand again. “You thought of everything.”

“I was just thinking of you.”

When Eli and Delaney made it to the middle of the dance floor, he kissed her, dipping her while everyone in the room cheered.

If I made it through the reception without my heart bursting open, it would be a miracle.

Standingin the middle of the dance floor flanked by teenagers was not how I envisioned the bouquet toss. But I was thankful for Delaney’s sisters. Otherwise, I’d be out here alone. The younger sister really wanted the bouquet, so I planned to step out of the way, but my plan fell apart when both sisters slapped at the bouquet like it was a volleyball. They were trying to keep it away from each other, but in the chaos, the flowers ended up in my hands.

After Delaney’s sisters huffed off, I hugged my best friend.

“What magic did you use?” I couldn’t figure out how I’d ended up with the bouquet.

“Love.” She flashed a smile, then perched on a stool, ready for Eli to remove her garter.

“Single men, make your way to the dance floor.” The deejay played an upbeat tune.

Ten or more men gathered. Garrett was out there, standing at the back of the crowd. It was probably good that he’d been shoved to the back because if he caught the garter, we’d have to take the traditional photos, and we’d hear about it forever.

I stepped out of the way but stayed close enough to see who would walk away with the prize.

Eli slipped off the blue, lacy garter and held it up. “You ready, guys?”

The group cheered.

With his back to the group, he tossed it over his head. Men dove for the lace, and when Garrett held his hand in the air, waving the garter, I smiled. That man never ceased to surprise me.

Delaney whispered to the deejay.

He pointed at Garrett. “Would the gentleman who caught the garter and the lady who caught the bouquet please come to the front.”

Garrett sat down in the offered chair as I walked toward him. Grinning, he patted his knee, and I perched on his lap. The photographer snapped pictures of us and so did lots of other people, including my mother. Oh, I would for sure be hearing about this forever.

When I looked at Garrett, he smiled at me, and I could almost feel his lips on mine. The wedding wasn’t over, but I was thinking about what I wanted and what I wanted to say.

How could I want something so much and still be afraid?

Eli kissedDelaney before helping her stuff the wedding gown into the passenger seat of the truck.

“I love that they are leaving in his truck with her still in her wedding gown.” I wiped tears off my cheeks with another tissue from Garrett’s pack.

The truck pulled away, and I gave up wiping tears. Eli and Delaney were married.

As the crowd headed back inside, Garrett put his arm around me. “I need to help Dad with a few things, but when I’m done, would you like to talk in the hot tub?”

It would be so easy to say yes to the hot tub. But the easiest wasn’t always the best. Garrett was right about that.

“Not tonight.” I hugged him. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Though he tried to hide it, his disappointment was obvious, but I couldn’t focus on that. I’d spent a lot of time pushing him away. Emotionally, at least. I wasn’t great at pushing him away otherwise.

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