Page 92 of That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump
“Exactly.” A slow smile breaks across his face.
“Together we make a lighthouse.” I nod. “That’s pretty great,” I say. “Or, at least, it’s a head start toward greatness.”
“I agree. And you know what else?”
“What?”
“I know you always felt like you don’t belong here in Abieville—or anywhere—for too long. But I actually think that sounds more like Beau and Kasey. They’re the restless ones, never staying in one place. You and I? We’re the anchors. But in a good way. Not in a drag anyone down kind of way.”
“So.” I lift my chin and lower my voice. “What if my anchor is three thousand miles away from yours?”
He dips his head. “Then we’ve still got that lighthouse thing going for us. With or without a storm.” He lifts a finger. “Our beacons can always help us find our way home, right?”
“Okay.” A fresh laugh bubbles up in me. “Now we might be getting a little too carried away with all the symbolism.” I take a beat. “Wait.Isthis symbolism?”
“How should I know?” His shoulders hitch. “I write mysteries. Not literature.” He chuckles. “What Idoknow is I could really use a steak right now. Rare. With barbecue sauce.”
“Me too.” I grin. “And a loaded baked potato.”
Brady holds out his arm, inviting me to slip mine in his. “Can I escort you to The Merry Cow, beautiful? I’d really like to feed you.”
“Yes, please. I’d like to be fed.”
“Perfect.” He meets my gaze. “The rest can wait until Sunday.”
ChapterThirty-Eight
BRADY
It’s two hours before the ceremony, and the groomsmen are on the beach finishing up our pre-wedding photo shoot. Kasey and the bridesmaids went first, after they got their hair and makeup done. Now they’re all up at the inn in the bridal suite, hiding out so Beau doesn’t accidentally run across the bride. Bad luck. While he and my sister are doing what they can not to see each other, I’m coming out of my skin, waiting to catch even a single glimpse of Natalie.
Last night, in the party room of The Merry Cow, our feet kept bumping under the table. There was an occasional brush of hands. The whole dinner was the most fun I’ve had in a while. Especially after Beau handed out the gifts Kasey bought us at the pro shop.
As a thank-you for being in their wedding party, they gave each of the groomsmen a Big Mouth Billy Bass. They’re these mechanical fish you mount on the wall, and the thing gets triggered when someone walks by. Then the fish turns and pokes its head out to sing “Rolling on the River.” Beau and I both had one when we were kids. They’re ridiculous and nostalgic, and I couldn’t stop smiling the rest of the night. Of course, that had more to do with Natalie than with the Big Mouth Billy Bass.
Her touch feels new and exciting now. Each stolen glance lights a fire under me. We know we want to be something more to each other after Beau and Kasey get married.
But first I have to survive these wedding pictures.
As we did on the party barge, the men pose for shots in every possible combo, except this time, Mac is here. And we’re in tuxedos now. My father and Mr. Slater are both cracking dad jokes and grinning their faces off, looking proud and fatherly.
I hope my dad can still feel this proud of me when andifI finally come clean about wanting to be a writer. Making my family proud is all I’ve ever wanted. Not that they’ve ever given me reason to doubt they would be. Still. In a small town where even a base amount of athleticism makes you the captain of the basketball team—not to mention the quarterback, pitcher, and probably homecoming king—it’s hard to get a good gauge on what’s an actual achievement and what amounts to default success.
Kasey, Beau, Natalie, and most of my cousins have found their places in this world, doing things that are wholly authentic to them. I’d like to do the same, but going out on a limb to be an author? That’s one way to spiral. In public. For everyone to see.
But enough about me. Today is all about the bride and groom, and I need to check in on Beau. The guy’s been wearing a stiff smile all morning. When I clap him on the shoulder, I can tell his body’s as stiff as his mouth.
“How you doing, man?” I duck my head to make eye contact with him. “Really. You can be honest.”
“Holding up,” he says. “I’m excited. Nervous. Worried. I can’t wait to marry Kasey, but I keep feeling like something’s going to go wrong. Ever since the flood in the rooms for the bachelor parties. Not to mention your grandmother’s hips.”
Beau huffs out a laugh, and I chuckle too. “Yeah. I’ve heard enough about Big Mama’s hips to last a lifetime.”
“My point is”—Beau screws up his face—“I can’t seem to shake these nerves.”
I nod. “I think pre-wedding jitters are normal. But trust me. Today’s going to be perfect. Nat’s been doing everything she can to make sure the bridesmaids are taking care of Kasey.” I arch a brow. “Just don’t run out on my sister.”
“Not a chance.” Beau glances over his shoulder to check who’s in listening distance. But the rest of the men are all standing around, talking amongst themselves. “In fact, I just want to run off with her and do this alone. Together.”
