Page 57 of Connected By Stars
I see her eyes turn a darker blue as she plays with her necklace in an attempt to keep her hands busy.
“You look beautiful tonight,” I say softly. “It’s not fair to the bride that you look this good. I can’t keep my eyes off you.”
“I could say the same about you,” she says quietly. The photographer calls us over, breaking up the moment.
“Let’s get these pictures done.” I lean down next to her ear. “Try not to look at me the way you are right now, or your brother is going to have a boner in all of his wedding pictures.”
She laughs out loud and covers her mouth when everyone looks our way. Grinning, I walk over to stand next to Noah, loving that I can make her laugh that way.
A million pictures later,we’re finally seated at the head table, about to eat dinner. I stand up, ready to give my toast. I glance over at Emma, and she’s already turning red. Laughing, I take the microphone and get everyone’s attention.
“I walked into the hardware store one day,” I begin.
“Oh, God,” I hear Emma say, and I wink at her.
“I saw a beautiful girl deciding which color of white to choose for her walls. Being me at the time, I offered to show her around town. To my surprise, she said no, thank you.” Everyone laughs, and I continue. “I was shocked, to say the least, because that doesn’t happen.”
Noah rolls his eyes, and I laugh with everyone. “A few days later, Noah and I went surfing, and I finally got to meet his Emma that he annoyingly couldn’t stop talking about. To my surprise, it was the beautiful girl from the hardware store. Emma and I had a good laugh, but Noah didn’t find it as funny.”
“No, I didn’t,” Noah says, causing more laughter.
“I knew then that Emma was the one for Noah. If she could turn down the better-looking guy,” I look at Noah and grin as he laughs, “then I knew there had to be a good reason, and I can’t think of a better reason than having her heart already given to Noah.
“I’ve known Noah since we were born. He’s been my best friend and brother my whole life, and I can’t think of someone more deserving of love than him. I wish you both all the happiness in the world and amazing sex every night before you go to sleep.” I watch Emma get red and laugh. “But if all the messy hair and satisfied faces are any indication, I think you both are doing just fine in that department.”
Emma covers her face, and everyone laughs. “Seriously though, I love you both. Your love story is one that I look up to and hope to have one day. To Noah and Emma!” I raise my glass, and everyone toasts. Noah gets up and hugs me.
“Thanks, brother,” he says. “I love you too.”
“I didn’t do too bad, did I?” I ask Emma as she gets up.
“No, you did great,” she says, laughing. “It wouldn’t have been a Maverick speech without some sort of redness appearing on my face. I love you too,” she says, squeezing me in a hug.
Sitting back down, Skye stands up. “I’m not as good atgiving speeches as Maverick, so I had to write my down,” she says, laughing.
“For those that don’t know me, I’ve been best friends with Emma since we met in kindergarten when we both reached for the same purple crayon to color the rainbows we were drawing. Being the sweet, beautiful girl that she is, she let me use it first, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.” Emma laughs and smiles at Skye.
“Emma doesn’t think she’s strong, but she is the strongest person I know. She’s selfless and kind and would do anything for the ones she loves. She hasn’t had it easy the past couple of years, but I knew she would find her way back to the light.” Skye looks at her, and Emma wipes away her tears.
Skye clears her throat and continues. “When she told me she was moving to Florida, I thought she was crazy. I was worried she would be all alone, and I couldn’t be there for her like I wanted to. All my doubts were gone the moment she called me and told me she had met someone.” She smiles at Noah before continuing. “There was joy in her voice and a light in her eyes for the first time in over a year. I can’t thank you enough, Noah, for bringing Emma back to us. For showing her a love that she deserves and a life that her parents would have wanted her to have.”
She wipes away the tears, and Cole takes her hand and holds it. “Cole and I couldn’t be happier for you both, and Auntie Skye and Uncle Cole can’t wait to spoil your kids one day.” She grins at Emma and Noah. “We love you both very much. To Noah and Emma!” We cheer again, and Emma wipes away her tears as Skye hugs her and Noah.
“It’s nowtime for the bride and groom to have their first dance. The bridal party will join them in thenext one,” the DJ announces after dinner. I watch Noah and Emma dance as I take a sip of my beer. She laughs when he twirls her before bringing her close to him. The love is evident on their face as they look at one another. I can’t help but want that as I watch them.
The song ends, and Skye and Cole head to the dance floor, followed by James and Sophia. I set my gaze on Bell and walk to her, holding out my hand. She smiles and walks into my arms as we sway to the slow song.
Every sense comes alive, and I’m consumed by the smell and feel of her in my arms. My hand is on her open back, and I run it down her soft skin, lightly caressing her. I can feel her heartbeat speed up, and I have no doubt she can feel how fast mine is.
“You in this dress is driving me crazy,” I tell her so only she can hear.
“This tux is doing things to me, too,” she laughs softly. “The wedding will be over in a few hours.”
“Yes, it will.”
“Noah and Emma leave first thing in the morning. We won’t even see them tomorrow, so they’ll be saying their goodbyes tonight.”
“What are you getting at?” I lean down and search her eyes, seeing the desire so evident in them.
