Page 10 of The One I Want
We each take a sip of wine as we watch the kids, along with their parents, finish up the night’s trick or treating. This was one of the parts of the house I loved—the two rocking chairs on the front porch.
“So with the move, we haven’t talked about the wedding in a while,” I say. “What’s the update?”
Whitley takes another sip before answering. Actually, it’s a full-on gulp. “It’s funny I ever thought I could have a small, intimate wedding.”
I smirk. “Bless your heart.”
She shoots me a look. “That’s what we wanted. I wanted my family and Jake’s. Our best friends and their significant others.”
“But?”
Whitley lets out a sigh. “We sent outfour hundredSave the Dates. And my mom still sent me a list of people I missed.”
“Holy fuck.”
She laughs. “Yup. Pretty much. Between our families, friends, extended families, most of the coaching staff and players from the Fury, every player my dad ever stepped on a football field with, and of course the better part of the Rolling Hills population…” She sighs.
The mention of the Fury immediately sends my mind to Wes. Which it shouldn’t. Though, I can’t even pretend it’s the first time I’ve thought of him since he walked away tonight.
I don’t even know why. Yes, he’s hot. But it’s not like he’s the first attractive man I’ve ever come in contact with. He was abrupt with me, so it’s not like I’m clinging on to an interesting conversation.
And yes, I did look as he walked away, and the jeans did exactly what I thought the jeans would do. Those were some good jeans…
There’s something about him that intrigues me. Maybe it’s how he was short with me, but when he talked to his kids, I could see the tender side of him. Maybe it was the way he held his daughter’s hand as they walked away. The man is a mystery. And I love a good mystery.
“Yo! Earth to Betsy!” Whitley yells, snapping her fingers in front of my face.
“Sorry,” I say, taking a quick sip of wine.
“What was that? And don’t tell me it was nothing, because I just said that I was going to change your bridesmaid dresses to swamp green, and you didn’t say a word.”
Wow, I must have really been out of it. Green is not in my color wheel.
“I was just thinking.”
“About?”
Before I can say anything, I hear an already-familiar voice calling my name.
“Miss Betsy!” Rapunzel yells, running up my porch steps. “Look at all the candy I got!”
“Wow!” I say, looking inside the bulging bag that my new little best friend is holding up for me. “That’s so much candy!”
“I know!” Her grin fades slightly. “But Daddy said I can’t eat it all tonight.”
“That’s probably smart.”
“Magnolia! What did I say about running off?” Wes says, stepping up on my porch.
Magnolia. What a great name for a great kid. It fits her perfectly, with her blonde hair and rosy cheeks.
“I’m sorry. But I wanted to show Miss Betsy my candy!”
He crouches down so he’s eye level with her. “That’s fine. Just next time, don’t run off, okay?”
She nods. “Okay, Daddy.”
He gives her a kiss on the forehead. Fuck, why is a sexy man doting on a child so damn attractive? “Go over to Gram’s house. I’ll be over in a second.”
