Page 16 of Off Camera
They go through their vows; the promises to take care of each other in sickness and in health. They talk about their future; the kids they’re going to have and the plot of land they’re planning to buy after the football season ends. Neither can get through the words without crying, and there’s not a dry eye in the house.
When the officiant announces them as husband and wife, Shawn, Maven’s godfather, whoops so loudly, everyone bursts out laughing.
“Congratulations, you two.” I kiss Maven’s cheek and give Dallas a hug. “Can’t wait to celebrate.”
“Thanks for standing up here with us, Reid.” Maven squeezes my hand, then glances at Maverick. “You too, Mavvy.”
“Shucks, Mae.” Maverick grins and drops a kiss to the top of her head. “It’s an honor.”
When I turn and look out at the crowd again, Avery isn’t looking at the couple of the hour.
She’s still looking at me.
I’m never the guy who gets the girl, but tonight, I want to try.
Spontaneous.
I can be spontaneous.
Just for the night.
SIX
AVERY
The man sitting nextto me won’t stop talking with his mouth full.
It was easy to ignore during the salad course when Italian dressing landed on my elbow after a lengthy, one-sided conversation about Civil War generals I did my best to feign interest in.
We’ve moved on to the cake, though, and the buttercream frosting from the three-tiered lemon and blueberry dessert is one enthusiastic exclamation away from staining my silk dress.
“How do you know the couple?” he asks. Crumbs spew from his mouth and end up on my nose. I blink, horrified. “Are you family?”
I grab a napkin and wipe my face. The woman across the table shoots me a sympathetic glance, and I’m kicking myself for not taking her up on the offer to escape to the bathroom twenty minutes ago.
It’s too late now.
I’m on a sinking ship, and I’m going to drown in a sea of regurgitated food.
“Soccer,” I say politely.
“Ah, soccer. A great sport. Did you know the rest of the world calls it football?”
“Fascinating.”
“What’s also fascinating are the rules. You’re familiar with the rules, right?”
“They tend to make sure we understand how to play the game before we’re allowed to kick,” I say.
Something catches my attention out of the corner of my eye. I turn my head and see Reid approaching our table. His jacket is shrugged off and his hair is a little messy.
With his tie half unknotted and the top button of his shirt popped open, he looks relaxed. Loose and laid-back, soft around the edges. Like someone I could have a whole lot of fun with.
“Hey,” he says when he gets close.
“Hi.” I tip my chin to look up at him. Pink cheeks. Crooked glasses and a grin from ear to ear. There’s a smudge of chocolate on his chin, right along the curve of his jaw, and I have no clue how that got there.Goodness, he’s cute. “How are you?”
“Just fine, thanks. How are you? How was the cake?”
