Page 74 of Any Cowboy of Mine
“I plead the Fifth,” Sophie said, her cheeks growing even hotter. She tried like hell to hide the smile that was bubbling up to the surface, but she couldn’t, and a laugh erupted as well.
“Bullshit, Sophie. I want all the details. After today I’ll be an old maid, and you two sprightly sex addicts will have to be my memories of better days.”
“Now I’m calling bullshit. You and Steve will never be an old married couple; I’d bet my next paycheck on that.”
Jackie stuck her tongue out at Sophie, a look that contrasted with her stunning, floor-length bridal gown, as well as the side-swept, half-up do that left curls cascading down over one shoulder. As a bride, she was flawless, but as Sophie’s best friend, she was one hundred percent true to character.
“You’d better save that for the groom,” Sophie teased. “Or I’ll be forced to file a formal complaint at my firm that the new bride is wasting her talents on the maid of honor.”
“Ha-ha. How is that new job with the fabulous paycheck going, anyway?” Jackie asked, her eyes bright. Being in love suited her.
“Good, now. You know Drew,” she started, and Jackie rolled her eyes with a grunt, agreeing with Sophie. “He tried to get me to allow him to work on some of my cases, but I politely reminded him I had carte blanche with women’s advocacy and restorative justice. When he still didn’t listen and I threatened to quit again, he finally backed off. I even found roses in my office the next day with an apology note.”
“You hate roses,” Jackie said, her nose crinkled up.
“Yep. Again, you know Drew. The thought was nice though—definitely more than old-Drew would have done.”
Jackie snorted. “Do I ever. I’m so glad you kicked his ass to the curb, as a boyfriend, I mean. I love Brad.”
“So do I,” Sophie said, the heat returning not just to her cheeks, but her lower abdomen as well.
“Okay, so now that we’re back to that, where were you two, huh? I’m the bride, and you have to indulge my every whim today as my maid of honor.”
Sophie rubbed the back of her neck and grimaced.
“Brad’s old bedroom,” she said, hiding her face in her hands.
“My bridal suite?” Jackie squealed, her voice three octaves higher than before.
“Shhhh!” Sophie swatted at her friend, laughing.
“Tell me everything. Was high school Brad kinky?”
“I don’t know if young-Brad was, but today-Brad made my toes curl.”
“Eeeekkkk!” Jackie squealed. “I knew that boy had some life in him. So, you’re happy?” Jackie asked, her eyes hopeful. Sophie wanted to be surprised at the serious turn the conversation had taken, but Jackie had been doing this a lot lately, switching between her fun-loving, neurotic self and this strong, caring persona she’d adopted when she met Steve.
Sophie didn’t mind anymore. Both sides seemed endemic to Jackie’s personality and just made her friend more well-rounded. Gone were the days of only talking about shopping and men. Now she could count on Jackie to be talking about the latest sale at Macy’s one minute, then gushing about how she and Steve wanted to start a family as soon as possible the next. She’d even been stable at the same job for three months with no complaints. Even though Jackie was perpetually curious about her happiness, Sophie knew her friend had found her own peace and just wanted her to find that, too.
“I am,” she said. She meant it, too. She’d never been so happy, not just with Brad—though that added more to her life than she ever could have imagined—but with work, her friendships, and the volunteer, pro bono work she did on the side. Finally, every aspect of her life was falling into place. Though she felt lucky, she also knew much of it was a result of all her hard work.
“Good answer. Come with me,” Jackie said, grabbing Sophie’s hand and pulling her in the direction of the living room, where the wedding guests gathered. She was stilted in the movements her dress allowed her to make, though, and wondered what the hell the rush was.
She had already given her maid of honor speech, but now Brad faced the crowd of guests. It must be time for his best man speech. This particular best man—her man—was never sexier than when he was speaking or writing. He had a way with words that made anything he said sound like an invitation for sex.
He met her gaze and took in a deep breath, licking his lips as he exhaled. She caught a tremble in his square jaw, but she understood. She’d wanted so badly to do Jackie’s personality and friendship justice with her speech, and she imagined Brad felt the same way about Steve. They’d been through some shit together, and putting that to words, even for a writer like Brad, couldn’t be as easy as drawing up a fictitious life from thin air. He didn’t attempt anything without knowing he would succeed at it, but getting there always tried at his nerves.
Brad cleared his throat, and Jackie’s hand tightened around Sophie’s. Sophie squeezed back, wondering why her friend was as invested in this as she was in reciting her own vows a couple hours prior. Vows that hilariously included the promise to love one another until death or the top celebrity on their lists showed up in town. Sophie knew Jackie’s list included the Hughs, both Jackman and Grant, but she wouldn’t have traded a one-night stand with either, or both, for what she’d found in Steve.
“Friends and family of Jackie and Steve, it is my pleasure to welcome you into our home as the bride and groom start their new life together,” Brad began, before signaling to Jackie that he needed a water. She left Sophie’s side and brought him a glass of wine instead. Brad frowned but sipped at it before taking up his speech again, this time fixing his gaze on Steve and Jackie.
“You two shocked the hell out of us when you got engaged after just hours of knowing each other,” he started, before Steve’s dad called out from the back.
“I’ll say—even I take longer to get hitched!” The audience laughed obligingly.
“Um, well, you know how Sophie and I felt about all that.” This time, Brad laughed awkwardly, and Sophie could see a line of sweat beading on his forehead. So much for sexy words that were supposed to make women’s panties wet. “We weren’t on board—at first. But then we saw the way you two were together, how you made each other better, how you grew into your community of friends and family, rather than shrinking away. This, to me, is the truest measure of love. One that builds you up instead of tearing you down. One that supports instead of crumbles, one that asks and gives instead of demanding and taking. Steve, Jackie, it’s been my pleasure to see you both come into your own. Jackie, I’ve got to thank you, especially.” Finally, Brad had found his rhythm. His words came from his heart, and his voice lost the quiver.
Everyone turned to look at Jackie, who beamed, one arm lovingly wrapped around Steve, the other still tangled in Sophie’s.
