Page 87 of Always a Bridesmaid
Ford shifted in his seat, but Violet’s sharp intake of breath made him think she felt his reaction, and that certainly wasn’t helping matters.
Since talking quietly had never been one of Ford’s special skills, he held his phone under the table and sent a text to Violet.
Ford:How do you know Addie doesn’t have it? None of us can ever read her, even Tucker.
Seconds later, his phone vibrated in his hand.
Violet:Remember how many times I’ve been a bridesmaid? It means I’m a pro at reading brides. I saw her reactions to dresses and cakes and flowers. There’s a sparkle in her eye when she sees what she likes, and it’s not there.
Sink or swim time, and was he honest-to-God going to rely on an eye sparkle? Or lack thereof?
No, he was relying on Violet, and that made it a lot easier to go all in. His heart quickened at the idea, because now he was thinking about more than his stack of chips.
All in, all in, all in…Violet hadn’t pushed or asked him again what he thought about her staying in Uncertainty for good. The question had gobsmacked him at the time, and he’d responded in the most neutral, up-to-you way he could muster.
Once in a while, he felt it hanging in the air between them, this unspoken question that he suspected she wanted a solid answer to. Or maybe that was his paranoia. Add in the fear that he’d ask her to stay, only to feel suffocated and realize he wasn’t ready for more of a commitment, andshithis lungs were doing that deflating thing again.
“McGuire? You’re looking a little pale,” Addie said. “Is someone thinking they bet off more than they could chew?” She slapped her knee. “Get it? Bet off?”
The rest of the guys groaned as if they hadn’t come up with jokes just as cheesy before. It provided what Ford needed, though. The opportunity to pull himself together and focus on the cards—much easier to read.
One by one, everyone folded except him and Addie. She was taking forever to decide whether or not to match or fold like everyone else. That wouldn’t do. He needed to know if Violet had been right.
“Come on, Murph. Last month you told me you’ve seen the size of my balls and made it sound like yours were bigger. Are you really gonna back down now?”
“Wait, what?” Violet said, spinning on his lap and making his dick lose focus on the game.
“Don’t worry,” Lexi said, swiping a hand through the air. “They talk like this all the time. It’s all balls and boobs and trash talk.”
Shep wrapped an arm around his wife. “I’d like to talk to you about my balls and your boobs.”
Easton reached into the bag of Doritos, adding another layer of orange dust to his fingertips. “I thought they’d be less lovey-dovey after half a year of marriage.”
Goofball that he was, Shep leaned in and placed a loud smacking kiss on Lexi’s lips. He added a boob grab that made Lexi cluck her tongue and say, “William Irving Shepherd!”
But then she grinned and kissed him back, climbing on his lap to do so.
Ford squeezed Violet’s thigh, hoping this wasn’t making her uncomfortable.
When she glanced over her shoulder at him, though, she was grinning.
Now he was the one leaning in for a smacking kiss. With his erection testing the bounds of his zipper, he was about to fold and carry her out of the boathouse and into his truck, where he could worship her body in private.
Well, he might have to drive a mile or so into the boonies for privacy, but he’d never make it home.
“Babe, it looks like we’re about to lose everyone,” Addie said. “And speaking of boobs and balls…” She and Tucker shared a kiss of their own.
A groan came from Ford’s right, and Easton shook his head. “Great. Now I’m surrounded by couples. Let’s see the cards before this shindig turns into an orgy and I get to be the loser guy standing in the corner alone, holding his dick.”
Chuckles went around the table, but the word “couple” spun through Ford’s head on a steady loop. He was part of a couple.
It should freak him out—it had mere moments ago. But it felt damn good, having Violet on his lap, his friends surrounding him.
This is what Doris meant when she called her life full.Contentment filled him head to toe, as if every part of his life was precisely as it should be.
The arch of Addie’s eyebrow conveyed she could read his thoughts and agreed. She always did like to say “I told you so.”
Time to end this game and bask in how okay I suddenly am with all this.
