Page 54 of Rebel Secrets
The wedding had gone off without a hitch.Literally nothing had gone even the slightest bit wrong.
Puffy white clouds that looked like they’d been painted by a master’s hand hung in the bright blue sky.The humidity that’d been plaguing St.David for the past week had broken two days ago with a thunderstorm that had dumped just enough water to make the grass and the gardens glisten.
The late June sun shone brightly but the temperature was already dipping into the seventies.
I mean, really.Who has that kind of luck?Apparently, the Lawrences did.
And it must have rubbed off on me because everything I’d touched had come together exactly as I’d planned.Every roll, every appetizer, every crudité tray… All of it, perfect.
Earlier this week, I’d thought I wasn’t going to be able to pull it together.I’d had an issue with one of my burners.The pilot wouldn’t stay lit, and I’d just about had a panic attack.The only electrician in town was out on a call at the local vet clinic and wasn’t expected back for at least three hours.
After a frantic call to Rain, Rebel had shown up with a tool kit.While I gaped at him, he fixed the problem in under an hour.I hadn’t even had time to thank him before I’d been back to work with my extra staff, otherwise known as the Angels dance team, measuring and kneading and rolling and cutting and chopping and prepping the hell out of everything so we could have it ready.
Then I’d taken a deep breath yesterday and just did the work.I didn’t think about it.I just did it.I’d made enough small bites for five hundred people.
And I’d managed to make it to the bachelorette party Thursday night and the rehearsal dinner last night without having any issues.
But these past few minutes, as I’d watched Rowdy and Tressy dance, this was the first time I think I’d taken a deep breath in the past week.
Tressy and Rowdy made a beautiful couple.Tressy in her stunningly simple gown with a simple wreath of flowers on her head and Rowdy in a tux that had to have been made for him.He’d even gotten his hair cut.Not short, but just short enough to make him appear even more handsome than normal.
Krista had nearly stolen the show as the flower girl and ring bearer in her absolutely adorable white dress and custom-beaded high-top sneakers.
And the bridal party… Well, we cleaned up pretty well, or so Granddad had said.
The men all looked like they’d stepped off a magazine shoot in their blue suits and white shirts with matching ties.And each bridesmaid wore a unique dress in the same shade of muted aqua, which was the only color that looked good on all of us.Because of me, of course.The redhead.
But I thought I looked pretty damn good, if I did say so myself.My hair had been tamed into a neat knot at the back of my neck with little curls at the side of my face.Ian had given me a thumbs up as I’d walked down the aisle after Krista.But it was the look on Rebel’s face that had almost made me stumble.
Standing next to Rowdy under the arch in the back garden of the Lawrences’ home, Rebel looked even better than a model.He lookedreal.And really freakinghot.
As soon as I’d realized we’d locked eyes, I’d pulled my gaze away.I didn’t want to turn bright red.I’d looked at Rowdy, whose broad grin made me smile.He looked like he’d won the lottery.And he absolutely had.Tressy was an amazing woman, and he was lucky to have her.
Of course, he wasn’t so bad himself.
But he’s not as handsome as Rebel.
I’d cut that thought off immediately, but it was still floating around in my head when Rebel stepped in front of me and offered me his arm to lead me onto the dance floor.
Don’t stare.Don’t stare.Don’t stare.
“You look beautiful.”
It was a good thing I already had hold of his arm.I nearly stumbled, which would have been totally humiliating.I’d managed to keep my cool all day.No running at the mouth.No rushing.But now, I felt like a warm noodle, loose and jiggly.
I blindly followed Rebel out onto the floor.Had he actually said what I thought he’d said?Maybe I was hallucinating?
Rebel stopped, guiding me into place in front of him, taking my left hand in his.My other hand automatically reached for his shoulder, and I jolted when his large hand settled on my hip, warmth immediately seeping from him to me.Staring down at me, his lips barely curved, but I knew he was smiling.
The band started to play an instrumental version of “In Your Eyes,” and we began to move.Perfectly in sync.
“Did you…”
No, I couldn’t even ask.It was a stupid question.What if I’d misheard him?I didn’t want to make things awkward.
He bent forward so he could speak into my ear.His warm breath brushed against the bare skin of my neck, making my lungs contract as all the air left them.
“Yes.I did.You look beautiful.”
