Page 116 of Right Number, Wrong Man
He gives me a strange look, but he doesn’t say anything more about it. We walk down the swooping stairs to the ground floor and the music from outside gets louder.
“How was the ceremony?” Colt asks, obviously attempting to put me at ease.
“Beautiful! Super intimate and peaceful. It was a small gathering, just family and friends. Same with dinner. Andrea and Steve wanted to go all out with the party instead and invited close to three hundred people.”
“Figured as much. The barn and the courtyard were already busy when I got here. Everybody’s havin’ funwithout us.” He gestures at the deserted lobby and the elderly lady behind the front desk gives us a smile.
We walk outside and pause at the edge of the courtyard where some guests sit at round tables, enjoying food from the cold buffet. String lights and flower garlands crisscross above, forming a glimmering roof of colors. It’s stunning, but all I can look at is Colt.
Beneath the twinkling lights, the hair sticking out from his hat looks like spun gold and his tanned skin has a bronze glow. His blue eyes turn to me and their shine makes me want to dive into their depths like the calm sea on a hot beach day.
“How about a drink?” I suggest and point at the barn across the yard. The doors stand wide open and the dance floor is packed. “There’s a bar in there. I’m sure they have a nice bourbon for you.”
“Only if they’ll make a raspberry daiquiri for you,” he responds instantly.
I laugh. “Do you know everything about me? I’m starting to think you’ve been stalking me.”
His brows rise and my throat tightens.Nice going, me. We’re five minutes into the night and I’ve already insulted himandaccused him of a crime.
“There you are, Hails!” a familiar voice screeches.
It belongs to a very drunk Andrea, walking arm in arm with a grinning, only slightly less drunk Steve. His flower-print shirt has pink lipstick on the collar and is half unbuttoned, his glasses skewed on his nose.
Andrea breaks free and bursts into a stumbling sprint. Her flowy white skirt flutters around her legs and her drink spills over the rim of her glass with every step. She bumps into me, wrapping an arm around me as her curly red hair tickles my cheek. I hug her back and she squeals.
“I thought you’d fallen asleep in your room,” she slursand flicks the tip of my nose. “You need to check out the sunflower field behind the main house! It’ssuuuuperprivate, if you know what I mean. Steve and I went there to—” Her eyes land on Colt and her mouth gapes.
I giggle. She’s seriously shitfaced if she didn’t see the tall guy next to me until now. What a throwback to girls’ night in our twenties.
Andrea smirks, clumsily adjusting the flower crown on her head. “If that isn’t the handsome Colt Walker! Oh my God, he looks so ruggedly charming with that cut on his cheek… And the fancy hat! And the boots! Look at him, Hails! Look!” She grabs my chin andmakes melook at him. “Good for you!” she whispers too loudly. It’s more of a shout.
I turn as red as my boots and Colt flushes, too, but he keeps his composure like a true Southern gentleman. He takes off his hat and hair falls into his face as he dips his chin.
So cute.
“Congratulations on your marriage,” he says, giving Andrea and Steve a broad smile.
“Thank you so much!” she squeaks enthusiastically like she hasn’t heard the same words five hundred times today.
Colt puts his hat back on before he reaches into his jacket and pulls out an envelope. “Tonight was kinda last-minute for me, so I hope y’all forgive me for not checkin’ the gift registry. My momma would give me a whippin’ if she knew I turned up with something as impersonal as a gift card, but it’s better than nothing.”
“Thank you! You really shouldn’t have,” Andrea says.
Steve takes the envelope. “Thanks, dude.”
“You’re welcome,” Colt responds warmly.
Andrea puts a hand on her hip, eyes ping-ponging between Colt and me. “What are you two still standingaround for? Go and enjoy yourselves! Hails gave her big speech during dinner and I hereby relieve her of all maid of honor duties. Have some fun together—bride’s orders!” She waggles a finger in my face. “And dance with your handsome cowboy! You makesucha cute couple!” She nudges Steve in the ribs. “Aren’t they cute?”
Steve hums. “Very cute!” he echoes, but I think he isn’t listening. He’s too busy admiring his new wife.
Colt and I exchange a glance and I give him an apologetic smile, but he shrugs. He doesn’t seem mad or uncomfortable at all.
“I think we’ll get a drink to loosen up before dancing,” I say diplomatically.
“Good, good!” Andrea sways, chugging the rest of her cocktail. “Now if you’ll excuse us, my husband owes me a few dances, too!” She giggles and drags Steve toward the barn.
“So… alcohol?” Colt asks, smirking.
