Page 88 of Always a Bridesmaid
Ford flipped his cards, pumping his fist when his two pair beat Addie’s jack and shit—literally. A jack and a lot of diamonds, save one.
“Ready to get out of here?” he whispered in Violet’s ear, and she melted against him and pressed her lips to his jaw.
“As ready as you feel,” she said with a siren smile that made him even harder. Having her sit on his lap might’ve been the wrong call, yet he wasn’t willing to let go.
Ford cleared his throat. “Thanks for the game, y’all. Violet and I are gonna go get a room.”
“I wasn’t going to be that TMI about it, since I’m a lady, but I’ll echo his thanks.” She scooted out from the table, and he had to think about anatomy terms in order to compose himself.
Still sporting a halfski, he stood, winding his arms around Violet’s waist to keep her close and himself concealed.
Just like that, the situation in his pants returned full force. When he was two steps from the door, though, Lexi jumped up. “Ford, wait. Um, Addie and I need to talk to you really quickly.”
Confusion wrinkled Addie’s brow, her bafflement clear. “We do?”
Lexi widened her eyes at Addie. “Yes. Remember?”
“Please don’t say it’s about the weddin’,” Addie all but begged. “We talked about makeup and hairstyle options all day, and I’m certain you were speakin’ French for all I understood. You’re welcome for the lack of phone call, McGuire.”
His gratitude made it hard to refuse, even as his libido revolted at the idea of walking away from the beautiful temptress in front of him. “Give me a minute?”
Violet nodded, and as he started away from her, she smacked him on the ass. “Go get ’em, tiger.”
Since there wasn’t anywhere to go in the boathouse where everyone wouldn’t overhear, they ended up outside on the deck.
Once the sliding glass doorsnicked closed behind them, Ford turned to Addie and Lexi. “What’s up?”
…
“Is this where y’all tell me I’d better take care of your friend or else?” Violet asked, a nervous laugh coming along for the ride. And dang it, she was picking up more southern slang by the day.
Then again, if she were “fixin’ to” stay in Uncertainty, perhaps she should give in.Not that Ford’s been exactly forthcoming on how he feels about that subject.
A tiny, persistent voice in her head—one she had too much pride to voice—constantly beggedWant me.
Choose me.
“Nah.” Tucker procured a beer from the fridge, removed the cap, and extended it to her. “In case the meeting goes longer than expected. Lexi’s a talker.”
“It transfers to the bedroom, if you know what I mean.” A smug, smitten grin spread across Will’s face. “For as proper as she is, things get real dirty real quick in there.”
Violet gripped the cold beer bottle, taking a generous pull in hopes it’d calm the anxiety rising up and wheedling her to fidget.
“How long are you stickin’ around town?” Easton asked, sitting on the edge of the table, where several stacks of chips and cards remained.
“I’m not sure,” Violet said. “There are a lot of variables up in the air right now.” One of them being the guy outside, in addition to Maisy and Isla.
Cheryl had also inserted herself into the equation last weekend, leaving Violet agonizing over the best way to solve it. While the allure to stay in Uncertainty was strong, impulsivity had bit her in the ass before. As had factoring in a man who didn’t want her the same way she’d wanted him.
The police officer nodded, not giving her much to go on.
Another sip of beer decided like the best course of action. “You guys have been friends for a long time, right?”
Tucker, Easton, and Will gave uniform nods.
“This is me trying to make conversation,” Violet said. “Help a girl out, will ya?”
The heaviness crowding the air dissipated. “Guess we’re not used to Ford bringing a girl along,” Tucker said, huffing a laugh. “Apparently we’ve forgotten how to act.”
