Page 117 of A Very Merry Enemy
HOLIDAY
The ceremony tent empties as guests make their way to the cocktail area, while the crew transforms the main space for dinner and dancing. I lose sight of Lucas in the crowd, which is probably for the best because if I find him right now, I might do something completely inappropriate in front of three hundred people.
White-gloved servers are already circulating through the cocktail tent with champagne flutes and silver trays of fancy appetizers. The bar is doing a steady business with a line of guests waiting for signature cocktails. The quartet has moved to this space and is playing soft jazz that mingles with conversation and laughter.
I grab a glass of champagne from a passing server and take a sip, barely tasting it.
“You okay?” Tricia appears at my side, and her eyes are full of knowing.
“I’m fine.”
“You look like you’re about to combust.” She links her arm through mine. “Come on. Let’s find somewhere you can breathe.”
She guides me toward a quieter corner where Mawmaw is standing with Hudson, Emma, and Colby. She looks teary-eyed.
“That was beautiful,” Mawmaw says when she sees me. “Wasn’t it beautiful?”
“It was perfect,” I agree, taking another sip of champagne.
“Jake did good.” Hudson grins. “Didn’t think he’d make it through his vows without completely losing it, but he held it together.”
Emma grins. “It was sweet. Very sweet. I’m so happy for my sister. I couldn’t stop crying.”
“You cry at commercials these days, babe. The pregnancy hormones have you all over the place,” Hudson offers, placing a kiss on her forehead.
“That’s true,” Emma agrees. “But those vows were moving.”
All eyes turn to me and my face heats. “They were touching.”
“Mm-hmm.” Emma studies me.
“And you were definitely not staring at Lucas the entire time. Not at all,” Hudson says.
“I will kick your ass, Jolly,” I warn.
“What? I’m just saying what everyone else is thinking,” he says. “You two were having your own moment up there. It was very obvious from where I was standing. Lucas looked like he was about to abandon his best man duties and go to you.”
I don’t know what to say to that, so I just take another sip of champagne.
Tricia moves me away from them. “You and Lucas?”
“No,” I say. “I mean, not yet. Maybe? I don’t know,” I whisper.
She gives me a knowing look. “Go for it. What do you have to lose?”
“Him.”
My sister takes a deep breath. “No way. I don’t believe that.”
The photographers are everywhere, capturing candid moments of people laughing, talking, and celebrating. Servers continue to circulate with drinks and food. The energy is festive and joyful and exactly what a wedding reception should feel like.
And then I see him.
Lucas is standing near one of the heat lamps with some of his old friends. His jacket is unbuttoned now and he looks relaxed as he laughs at something someone said. His head is thrown back, and that smile on his face makes my heart skip. He’s so beautiful it almost hurts to look at him.
He’s completely in his element, and it shows.
“You’re staring again,” Tricia says beside me.
