Page 124 of A Very Merry Enemy
“No can do, little brother. Jake’s looking for you. Best man speech in five minutes. Then garter and bouquet toss and cake.” His grin gets wider. “So maybe make yourselves presentable and get your asses back inside.”
He closes the door, and we hear him laughing as he walks away.
Holiday covers her face with her hands. “Oh my gosh.”
“He’s never going to let me live this down.”
“The whole town won’t.”
He sighs. “Well, let’s take our walk of almost shame together.” I tilt her chin up so she’s looking at me. “I’m fucking done hiding how I feel about you.”
She searches my face. “Lucas?—”
“I mean it. I don’t care who knows. I don’t care if it ends up in more articles or if people talk.” I kiss her softly. “You’re mine and I want everyone to know it.”
“What about Dominic? I thought we were going to keep things quiet until after the contest.”
I pause, considering. She’s right. Dominic is still in town. Still judging the contest. If we’re too public about this, it could cause problems.
“I don’t want to hide you, either,” she admits. “But we should be modest about it.”
Looking at Holiday with her lips swollen from my kisses and her eyes sparkling with want, I can’t bring myself to care about her ex.
“We’ll figure it out,” I say. “But right now, we need to get back inside without causing a scene.”
She laughs and it’s the best sound I’ve ever heard. We help each other get dressed, trying to make ourselves look presentable. I button my shirt, then I help her zip her dress. She tries to fix her hair in the reflection of the carriage window but it’s hopeless.
“You look like you’ve just been fucked,” I tell her.
“I wish.” She reaches up and wipes lipstick off my mouth with her thumb. “There. Better.”
“Everyone’s still going to know.”
“We confirm nothing and give them nothing that can verify it. The way we look is just speculation.”
“It’s almost adorable how naive you’re acting. Just be prepared for the whispers.”
“They’re a turn-on,” she says, pulling me back to her. “I like people whispering about us.”
“Peaches,” I groan, moving back to steal another kiss from her.
“Go,” she says with a laugh, wiping more lipstick from my face.
I help her out of the carriage, and we walk back toward the reception tent. My hand is on her lower back, possessive and obvious. I can feel eyes on us as soon as we step inside.
Emma sees us first, and her face breaks into a huge grin. She elbows Hudson, who’s standing next to her. Bella looks like she just won a bet.
Jake and Claire are standing by their wedding cake, waiting. When Jake sees us, he starts laughing. “There you are. We were about to send a search party.”
“Sorry,” I say, not sounding sorry at all.
Holiday’s face is bright red but she’s smiling. I keep my hand on her, and I don’t move away from her side.
She slides into the back of the space, and I move to grab the microphone from the stand on the stage. “Hi. Wow. What an entrance, right?” I ask, and everyone laughs. Holiday does, too. “What can I say? My big brother and best friend just married the love of his life. I’ve never seen Jake so happy, and I’ve known him my whole life. Meeting you was a miracle, Claire. For the whole family. Even if sometimes you’re a little mean, you’re exactly the kind of big sister I always wished I had. The type of love you two have only happens once in a lifetime.” I find Holiday’s eyes in the crowd. “You both taught me that love finds a way, no matter the circumstances. That if it’s meant to be, it will happen. How does it feel to have your greatest wish come true? I’m so happy for you two. Congratulations.”
Hudson continues and then it goes down the line of different family members and friends telling stories.
I go to Holiday, who’s at the back of the room, and slide in next to her. I hook my pinky with hers, like we used to do when no one was looking.
