Page 142 of You Kissed Me First

Only a little longer.

* * *

“Why doI recognize the girl hanging all over Barrett?” Katie asks Abby as I slide into the seat next to her.

The seat I was assigned by Nessa.

I glance in Barrett’s direction then laugh.

“What?” Katie asks.

“That’s Maria. She used to date Vince back in high school. Then she dated Barrett’s cousin Greg. I guess now she’s with Barrett.” I shrug.

“Wait. Let me get this straight. So she dated Barrett’s best friend in high school and then his cousin? Did she sleep with them too?”

Katie has a confused look on her face, but it’s so adorable.

“Oh, for sure. They are tunnel buddies.” I laugh.

“Tunnel buddies?”

“You know. They all have had a turn pounding that tunnel.” I wiggle my eyebrows.

She bursts out laughing, making my heart lighter. “That’s disgusting. Do they all know?”

I nod. “Of course. You probably recognize her because she was still banging Greg back at the engagement party. She was his date.”

She shakes her head. “That’s messed up, even for Barrett.”

Before I can say anything else, the event coordinator picks up the microphone.

“Can I have the best man and the maid of honor up here for speeches, please?”

Standing, I step behind Katie’s chair to pull it out for her.

“Thank you.” She keeps her voice low.

I press my hand to the small of her back, leading her to the front.

“Mind if I go first?” I ask her.

“Of course not. I hate talking in public anyway.”

I snort. “That’s right. I forgot about that.”

She gives me a glare, but the small smile ruins the effect.

Grabbing the mic from the event coordinator, she winks at me. She’s in on the plan.

“Hello friends and family. It’s wonderful to be here tonight with you to celebrate the joining of my brother from another mother, Grant, and his beautiful, blushing bride Nessa. As you know, we spent the last two weeks together on a cruise ship, and let me tell you, the antics were nothing short of crazy.”

Everyone starts to laugh, and I know it’s started. Katie looks up at me, confused, until she looks behind me and laughs.

Turning a little to keep her and the couple in my vision, I smile at the photo. It’s one of Grant in Nessa’s sleepwear the night of the scavenger hunt. I took it as we were headed back to the room.

“What happened to what stays on the ship, man?” Grant jokes.

“Sorry, man. I couldn’t let this one go. As you can see, Grant had a fun time getting to know his bridge more intimately.”

---