Page 71 of That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump
ChapterThirty
BRADY
So, Natalie showed up with Grantly Bender. And Hawk’s here with Olivia. Interesting. At least Hawk’s probably not planning to swoop in on Nat anymore. The thing is, I can’t blameanyman for being interested in her. Not Grantly. Not Hawk. Not after I’ve been simmering on the idea for the past two years.
What’s weird is the wrench in my guts isn’t from jealousy. I’m more worried about what Nat’s going to think about Molly being in my truck.
I’ll give you one guess how that happened. Orwhothat happened.
After we finished up our round of golf—with Molly more or less sitting on top of me in the cart—Kasey asked me to give Molly a ride to the party tonight because she and Beau needed to stop by Murphy’s Jewelers on the way to pick up their wedding bands.
I offered to help them out by going to Murphy’s instead so they could head straight to The Beachfront with Molly. I pointed out they could spend more time with Molly this way. Keep catching up and all that. Kasey told me I was being silly.
I told her I didn’t mind.
Then Kasey shut things down by saying she wanted to personally ensure the rings were perfect, which I clearly couldn’t do. In the end, my sister wouldn’t takeyesfor an answer. And that’s how I ended up being Molly Fitzgerald’s chauffeur.
“I’m so excited for the party,” Molly gushes. She smells like perfume and hairspray. I clench my teeth.
“Yeah.”
“Are you okay?” she asks, her smile faltering.
“I’m fine. I just—”
“I get it,” she interrupts. “Here I’m going on and on about being excited, and you’re probably a little bit sad your little sister’s getting married. Then she’ll be leaving with Beau again. First for the honeymoon. Then for the rest of their lives. End of an era and all that, huh?”
Molly blinks, and a heaviness shifts in my chest. It’s a lump I’ve been trying to ignore, but she’s not completely wrong. Iamsad about the end of something… it’s just not with Kasey or Beau. They’re only at the starting line. I’m thrilled for them. And I want to be at the beginning too. Instead I have to wrap my brain around letting go of that possibility with Natalie. That’s the end I’m sad about.
“Hmph.”
Molly shrugs. “Things change. Life goes on. We just have to make the best of it.”
“Yep. The best.”That’s me.Except right now, I wish I weren’t the best man. I wish I could be the worst—a man who’d selfishly go after exactly what he wants without worrying about hurting anyone else.
“So.” Molly folds her hands in her lap. When she doesn’t make any moves to get out of the truck, I snap back to attention. She’s probably waiting for me. Just because I have zero interest in anything beyond delivering her safely to this party, doesn’t mean I should forget my manners. I make a move to get out of my truck, but at the same time, Natalie opens the passenger side of Grantly’s car. When our doors almost collide, she pulls hers shut again, so I can hop out. Meanwhile, Grantly, Hawk, and Olivia are busy talking on the other side of the sedan.
Once out of my truck, I shut the door and open Natalie’s for her. I’m standing right here, so it just makes sense, right?
Can’t forget my manners.
The seats in Grant’s car are low, so I reach down to help Natalie up. This time I think I’m prepared for the shock of her touch, but the strength is still surprising. And I don’t mind the surprise. Not a bit.
“Nice shirt,” she says.
I glance at the bright Hawaiian print in fuchsia and green. Pointed collar. Short sleeves. Buttons all the way down. “Not my usual getup.”
“Change looks good on you,” she says. When she turns to retrieve her bags, I can’t help appreciating her curves. Her dress reminds me of champagne. Bright. Sparkly. Intoxicating. The memory of holding her makes my pulse skitter. I’m still staring as she straightens with her bags. “I see you have a passenger.” She peers around me into my truck.
My skittering pulse grinds to a halt. I’ve left Molly in there. Man, I must look like a jerk to both of them now. “I didn’t—”
“It’s okay.” Natalie cuts me off. “I’ll see you two inside.”
By now, Hawk and Olivia have started across the parking lot, and Grantly moves around the car to post up on the other side of Natalie. When I finally let Molly out of the truck, my throat feels hotter than sheets fresh from the dryer.
As we follow them to the pub, Molly jerks her chin up ahead of us. “Looks like Natalie and Olivia have admirers tonight.” Her heels click on the asphalt. “Perks of being in the wedding party.” She sighs. “Guys always want to hook up with the bridesmaids. Especially the maid of honor. It’s like a universal fantasy or something.”
My chest constricts, and one word pounds along with my heart:no, no, no, no, no.
