Page 65 of The Chances We Take

As my best friend kissed the love of her life, herhusband, I looked over at Reid, and I could have sworn there was a look of longing in his eyes as he stared back.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

reid

The wedding party waited outside the front doors of the hotel ballroom where the reception was taking place.

From inside, the DJ announced, “Let’s welcome the wedding party onto the dance floor!”

Isa and I were the second-to-last pair to be announced, right before Ellison and Colter. Clay and Ellison’s college roommate were announced first, the crowd bursting into laughter from their entrance.

Jake looked over his shoulder at me, his arm linked with Caitlin’s as he mouthed something to me that looked a lot likeshe’s still hot. Never mind the fact she had a daughter and a husband who didn’t look too happy to see his wife on the arm of another man during the rehearsal and ceremony.

I shook my head at him, rolling my eyes as Mikey and another bridesmaid were announced, and then Hayden and Cora entered the ballroom.

“Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Caitlin and Jake!”

Jake looked over his shoulder one more time to give me a salute and then ran in the doors after Cait.

A different song played for each couple, like a walkout. I had no idea what song Isabelle had picked for us, but she looked over at me and started smirking right before “Hooked on an 8 Second Ride”started playing.

“Honestly, that was a missed opportunity to make fun of Colter and play ‘Greased Lightning.’” Ellison giggled from behind us as Colter protested, “Hey, rude! It’s a great movie!”

“Let’s welcome in your maid of honor and best man, Isabelle and Reid!” The DJ drew out my name as the doors opened for us.

Our entrance was Isa’s idea. Even though it made less sense the more you thought about what rodeo event Colter and I competed in and the fact it probably should have been Mikey’s entrance. Unfortunately for me, the girl he got paired with was almost three inches taller than him without heels and he thought it would look weird. The other guys crowded around the door to block us from view as Isa jumped on my back. Then they pretended to open a chute, and she threw her arm up in the air like she was riding a bull.

I had to hand it to her, the crowd got a kick out of it; they were hooting and hollering like it was the best thing they’d seen all year.

And of course, she stayed on for eight seconds.

Longer than I would probably last if I had a shot with her.

I could hardly take my eyes off her during the ceremony in the rose gold bridesmaid dress that fit her curves perfectly with a slit up the side showing off her toned legs. But the little sliver of doubt I couldn’t seemto get over came back, stabbing me in the chest like a knife.

Who are you kidding?A shot with Isa?

When she finally dropped off my back and stood next to me, her head barely coming above my shoulder, she looked up at me and shot me that million-dollar smile of hers.

“Better than that mechanical bull ride?” I winked, subtly teasing her about the drunk texts from Ellison’s bachelorette party.

“W-what are you talking about? How do you—” Her smile slowly faded as she started sputtering out words. If she was embarrassed, it didn’t last long, because the DJ started speaking again.

“And now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for…” the DJ dropped his voice as he trailed off. “I’d like to reintroduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Carson!”

Ellison and Colter walked into the ballroom hand in hand and completely stole the attention of everyone in attendance. Hanna dabbed her eyes with a tissue, and Colter’s parents even seemed to be getting along for the day.

We all moved to the head table as the DJ explained how the food buffet was going to work. Up until this point, there had been a short cocktail hour while the wedding party was off taking photos. So. Many. Photos.

Each table was released one by one to get their food. Caterers brought ours over to us so we didn’t have to fight through all of the people to get a plate, especially Ellison in her dress.

“How are you feeling?” I asked Isa, who was sitting between me and Ellison.

“Great!” she said between bites of salad. “I loveweddings.” Her eyes brightened as she babbled on about how weddings were the perfect way to bring people together and how beautiful of a thing that was. “I just love love.”

I laughed, because that was such anIsathing to say. “I suppose you’re going to go home and read a book about a wedding?” I teased.

“Who’s to say I’m not already reading one about a wedding?” she joked back, playfully knocking my arm with her elbow.

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