Page 29 of That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump
Each time, he uses “photo composition” as his excuse.
He keeps changing the positions of the women in the pictures ofjust the bridesmaids, moving them around, testing where they’re standing. He claims he wants to make sure their heights and hair colors are in harmony.
Yeah right.
There are seven women in Kasey’s wedding party, but somehow Nat’s the only one he keeps laying hands on.Or maybe she’s just the only one you’re staring at. It’s possible I’m seeing everything filtered through a Natalie lens now. An unreliable judge of Hawk’s character.
Still, each time he reaches for her elbow or readjusts her shoulder angle, I want to storm over and pull him off her. All my baser instincts are kicking in. It gets bad up in my brain. Really, really bad. But I swear, the guy’s hands linger longer than necessary.
Every single time.
So okay, this could all be in my imagination. Just an overreaction because I’m jealous. But I’m pretty sure he’s interested in her. And the truth is I can’t even blame him for feeling that way. Natalie’s smart. Funny. Kind. And she looks more beautiful than ever. The sunlight’s in her hair. Her blue eyes are sparkling. Then there’s her smile. Those lips curling up. I’d be tempted to touch her too if… Well. Iamtempted.
But I won’t.
Instead. I watch her whisper something in Kasey’s ear, then laughter bubbles up between them. The sound is like music. My sister’s happy. Natalie’s glowing. And Hawk is clearly noticing.
During a picture ofjust the Slaters and the Grahams, he strides up to smooth a strand of hair behind her ear. “That’s better,” he announces, before stepping back to take the shot.
Seriously?I clench my fists to keep from doing some serious damage to the guy. Then Hawk drops his camera, cocks his head, and says, “Relax your shoulders, Brady.”
Man. I really want to toss him overboard.
But this is Kasey’s wedding to my best friend. And sure, I don’t like Drake Hawkins, but Beau does. There must be some redeeming qualities in the guy I’m too fogged up to see right now. And either way, Hawk and Beau still have to work together after this weekend. I can’t wreck their relationship and risk the future success of Beau’s career just because Hawk rubs me the wrong way.
By the time we move on to the shots ofjust the groomsmen,we’ve already suffered through eleven million pictures, give or take. I’m pretty sure a photo shoot has never lasted so long. Kasey takes over behind the camera since Hawk is a groomsman. She’s no photographer, but she’s been on enough photo shoots with Beau to get the gist. While she prepares, I make sure to position myself as far from Hawk as I can get.
So I end up on one side of Beau, while Ford, Three, and Hawk take the other. I think it’s cool that Beau asked all our cousins to be his groomsmen. He’s just that kind of man. Family means everything to him. Plus, his job has him traveling so much, he doesn’t have the opportunity to get close with too many people.
Besides Kasey, Hawk’s the person Beau spends the bulk of his time with now. I’d like to think that’s mostly due to their work partnership and proximity, but Beau claims Hawk’s a good guy once you get to know him. And I’ve got to believe Beau wouldn’t accept anything less than that in a friend.
Still, the couple of inside jokes I catch between them make me edgy. And even though I’m positive Beau’s not trying to leave me out, I can’t help feeling … left.
That is until Kasey consults her list of must-have shots and says, “We still need one more of just the groom and the best man shaking hands.”
Yeah, Hawk. Just Beau and me.
When we set up for the pose, Beau looks me in the eye. “For the record, you’re my number one.”
“Me too, man. Me too.”
“Always have been.” He grips my hand. “Always will be.”
I won’t lie. I get a little misty in the moment. Dust in my eyes. Lump in my throat. Bottom line: Beau’s my best friend, and I’d do anything for him. Including not killing his work partner.
So I manage to steer clear of Drake Hawkins for the rest of the pictures and the cruise, hoping things will get better once we hit the beach. On the sand, there should be enough room to spread out, so I won’t be stuck watching Hawk hover over Natalie. Not that it’s any of my business. Not that I blame the guy. But if something’s going to happen between those two, I don’t need the evidence right under my nose.
As the barge approaches the docks, my sister gathers all the bridesmaids together. “Ladies,” she says, “I have something to give you for the beach.” She holds up a giant shopping bag. “Just a little thank-you for being my bridesmaids!” From inside the bag, she pulls out a towel for each of the women, monogrammed with their initials. I have to say, this might be the most Kasey Graham thing I’ve ever seen.
“Gentlemen!” Beau announces, and we all cock our heads. “I’ve got nothing to give you as a little thank you for being my groomsmen.” He splays his hands, and we all start to chuckle. Then he adds, “Yet.”
“What’s the holdup, man?” Three teases.
Kasey laughs. “Theholdupis he hasn’t bought you anything.”
“Yet,” Beau repeats with a shrug. “I’m waiting for Mac. He had a work conflict, so he’s flying in Thursday. It wouldn’t be the same to acknowledge all the groomsmen without him.”
“Fair enough,” Ford says, but my gut twists at the mention of work conflicts. Our oldest cousin, Mac, is not only the CEO of his own construction company, he also designs and builds one-of-a-kind furniture. Woodwork is his passion. Well, woodwork and his wife and daughter. I don’t begrudge him any of his happiness, not to mention the fortune he’s amassing. Mac’s definitely paid his dues. I just wish—like him—I could find a balance between my career and what I really want to do.
