Page 105 of My Silver Lining

“They found their way to one another. That’s why today is so special.” Saylor sniffed several times.

“My hormones are still out of whack, and I can’t handle much more.” Savannah’s words broke on a sob, and Demi wrapped an arm around her. We all started laughing at what a weepy mess everyone was and the fact that these two dancing together had wreaked havoc on our makeup.

We agreed it was fine, seeing as Emerson had this plan that at the end of the reception, we were all going to jump into the river together. Apparently, she and Nash had made a pact months ago that they’d end the ceremony with a celebratory wedding party swim, even though the weather was still chilly. We all agreed to take a quick dip with them. So, we figured our makeup wasn’t going to last anyway.

I glanced around the room to see Rafe and Easton standing on each side of Nash as he watched his wife and son together with so much adoration.

Rafe must have felt my eyes on his because he turned right at that moment. His dark gaze locked with mine. His lips turned up in the corners, and he held my stare.

“Holy hotness.” Ruby leaned her shoulder against mine. “That man just undressed you with his eyes right here in front of all of us.”

A loud laugh escaped Henley’s lips. “Yep, thank you. It’s impossible to miss, right? But my stubborn bestie likes to say it’s nothing serious.”

“Listen, I own a romance bookstore, and I am here to say that the way that man is looking at you right now, that’s what sells books right there.” Saylor waggled her brows. “That is definitely not nothing.”

The song ended, and the next thing I knew, Kingston and Rafe were dragging all the guys out to the dance floor as the DJ played “Sexy and I Know It,” and everyone cheered and laughed as they made fools of themselves dancing.

“It appears she looks at him the same way,” Savannah said.

“Yep. We’ve all seen that look before, Lulu.” Demi stroked her little boy’s hair away from his face as he slept in her arms.

“I’m not claiming he isn’t hot. I’m just saying that it’s temporary,” I said with a shrug.

All of the women around me laughed in unison as if I’d just said the funniest thing they’d ever heard, and I gaped at them.

“Sorry. We’ve heard that before. I was the queen of temporary, my friend.” Ruby patted me on the back. “And then I went to Vegas and got hitched.”

“She really fought it,” Saylor said. “But you can’t fight love, or at least I hope you can’t, because then my bookstore would probably go out of business.”

“You guys are all really sweet with your hubbies. I admire it. I’m not against the whole fairytale concept…” I paused to take a sip of my bubbly. “It’s just not for me. We’re having fun until I move to Paris in a few weeks. I’ve got big plans for myself.”

Saylor’s gaze softened. “A man who loves you will never stop you from achieving your dreams.”

I coughed over the sip I’d just taken. “We’re not in love.”

“You sure about that?” Savannah asked as she arched a brow.

“Yes. We agreed on all of these terms before any of this even started,” I said proudly. “We put some rules in place, and we’ve stuck to them.”

Now it was Henley’s turn to cover her laugh with a cough as everyone turned to look at her.

“I’m sorry. I just—” She shook her head and looked at me. “Lu, your rules are ridiculous. You live with the man. You are in a full-blown relationship, and you’re the only one who doesn’t know it.”

“Shacking up for the last few months was just part of the arrangement,” I said, but I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince anymore.

Them or me.

“Listen, I’m a girl who has always had a plan. I get it. You like to fly solo, and you’ve got big things to do, and you should absolutely do them,” Ruby said, holding her champagne flute up and clinking it with mine. “But just remember, if plans change along the way, that’s okay, too. It’s the most valuable lesson I’ve learned over the years. It’s okay to change course.”

“That was very philosophical, Rubes,” Demi said with a laugh. “And I couldn’t agree more.”

“And remember this—you can’t make the mile-high club if you’re always flying solo, girl.” Ruby winked, and everyone laughed again.

I looked up to see Rafe striding my way. Long legs closed the distance between us, and dark eyes held me hostage, as everything and everyone around me went silent.

He held out a hand. “Dance with me, Wildcat.”

I glanced over at the women around me and smirked. “Dancing solo isn’t any fun either.”

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