Page 93 of That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump
“Yeah, I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” I flash him a smile. “Remember when Mac eloped with Brooke? He’s still on the apology tour for that. And her mom made them throw a whole other wedding anyway.” I shrug. “Just another couple hours, and you’ll be tying the knot for real. One time only. Then you’ve got the rest of your lives to be alone together with my sister.” My smile turns into a grimace. “And I’d probably like to hear even less about that than Big Mama’s hips.”
Beau guffaws, casting his eyes up at the inn. “Hey. Can you do me a favor?”
“Besides being your best man? And taking care of Amber? And steering clear of your sister until after the wedding?” I smirk, but he shifts his jaw like he’s not joking, so I quickly backtrack. “Of course, man. Anything. What do you need?”
“Would you take this up to Kasey?” He hands me a small, white envelope.
“What’s this?”
“My wedding vows.”
“Hmm.” My mouth goes crooked. “I’m no expert, but I think you’re supposed tosaythose to her. Out loud. During the ceremony.”
Beau expels a nervous laugh. “I’m planning on doing that. And I’ve got them memorized pretty well.” He shakes his shoulders, like he’s trying to loosen them up. “But I’m also pretty sure I’m going to forget half of the things I want to say.”
I crack another smile. “Or start bawling?”
“Heh heh heh. Maybe that too.” He reaches up to run a hand through his hair, then remembers it’s been slicked into submission. “Anyway.” He drops his arm. “I wrote them out one last time to be sure I’ve got everything committed to memory, and I want her to have this copy of the words as I intended them to be. Pure and accurate. When I could think clearly, as opposed to the garbled mess I’ll probably choke out in front of everyone.” He cocks his head. “Performance anxiety is a real thing.”
“Yeah, okay.” I give a half laugh and slip the envelope into my pocket. “I’ll head up and give this to Kasey now. I wanted to see her before the wedding anyway.”
Beau’s mouth goes crooked. “A little brother-sister heart-to-heart?”
“Yeah. I need to tell her she’d better not break your heart, or I’ll have to hunt her down and kick her butt.”
Beau takes a beat, then starts cracking up at absurdity of the idea that A) Kasey would ever hurt him and B) I’d ever hurt Kasey. The truth is, Beau and Kasey are made for each other. Two sides of the same coin. Perfect complements, each half making up a whole. This makes me think about Natalie, not that I ever stopped. But now I have a legitimate excuse to see her too.
And I’m not mad about it.
When I reach the lobby, Hudson’s at the front desk, and he salutes me as I pass. “Looking good, Graham.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Are the women up in their room?”
“They are. Suite 201.” He nods at the stairs. “What, are you crashing the bridesmaid’s party?”
“Nah. Just need to get a message to my sister.”
“Good luck with that,” Hudson calls out, but I’m already taking the stairs two at a time. Once I find the room, I knock on the door, three quick raps.
“Everyone decent?” I holler through the wall. “It’s Brady.”
Inside the suite, there’s a flurry of activity. Women’s voices. Laughter. Protests. “Define decent?” Kasey calls out.
I roll my eyes at the door even though she can’t see me. “I meant is everyone dressed. The wedding’s not for two more hours. I thought some of you might change into sweatpants or whatever to be more comfortable until then. I’m tempted to change myself. So do you all have clothes on?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Kasey jokes.
I let out a long, loud groan. “Since most of you are related to me… not really.”
“What are you doing out there anyway?” she asks.
“I’ve got something from the groom. For you.”
“Hold on!”
“Holding,” I say. I lean my head against the door, bumping it with my forehead. Not that I’m impatient. But yeah. I’m impatient. I hear a second door open and shut on the other side of the wall. Then suddenly, the door to the hallway flies open. I stumble forward, and Natalie’s standing there.
She is poured into an emerald dress like the very best sand in the very best hourglass. I can barely breathe this close to her curves. Her hair is up in a twist so soft and lush I want to bury my face in it. Several loose strands sweep along her neck. The pink of her skin tells me her nape is warm. I want to trace her pulse with my mouth and breathe in all her sweetness. I’ve already felt her heartbeat against my chest. But now I want to feel all of her forever.
