Page 27 of Win My Heart

“I liked her,” Bernadette says.

I smile. “She liked you.”

I can feel Ruby and Gia staring at me. As Bernadette scoots off the bed, she sways a little and starts giggling.

“Benny,” Kelly gasps.

“I’m good, Kell.” She slurs.

I study her and realize she’s drunker than I thought. “You need some water. And snacks.”

“I love snacks,” she mumbles as she stops right in front of me. She isn’t much shorter than me, but she’s barefoot, so she lifts her chin and looks up at me.

Shit, I want to kiss her.

Her grin is wide, and her eyes are bright. She didn’t have her glasses on during the wedding, but she’s got her oversized black-rimmed plastic ones on now.

“Lead me to the snacks, good sir.” And then she hiccups. Her hand flies to her mouth and she giggles.

I shake my head but grin. Even drunk, she’s adorable. Reaching out, I place my hand on her elbow. “I’ll lead the way.” We move out of the bedroom and down the hall.

She seems steady enough on her feet. I could let go of her, but I don’t want to. So I don’t. She turns to me again as we make our way into the large living room.

“Did you hear? I’ve got a new nickname. It’s my very favorite one.”

Chuckling, I confirm, “Benny? I heard Kelly call you that.”

“From one of Morgan’s uncles, I think. When I told him my name at the reception, he couldn’t hear me, so he thought I said Benny and not Bernie. The girls have been calling me that all night now.” She cackles as we get to the snacks.

“It suits you,” I tell her just as Matt comes up out of nowhere and scoops her up.

“Bernie! There you are!” he yells as he swings her around, and she laughs uncontrollably.

I want to vomit.

And punch Matt in the fucking dick.

After the unnecessary display, Matt puts her down and playfully pushes him away. “Matt, you’re incorrigible.”

His grin is stupid as shit, and I don’t miss how he looks at me over her shoulder. If eyes could talk, his would be yelling fighting words. He knows I don’t approve.

“I was wondering where you went off to.” He reaches out and touches her arm. I force my eyes to look elsewhere, and that’s when I see Link across the room, leaning against the wall. He’s chatting with one of my cousins, but I have his attention. He gives me a look that say’s “Whatcha going to do about it?” and I glare at him.

I’m not sure what he’s getting at, but I don’t like it. He could stop this ridiculousness right now. He could end Matt’s idea that he’s got a shot at Bernadette. But’s he’s clearly enjoying the show.

Bernadette suddenly seems to remember that I’m here when she throws her thumb over her shoulder. “Wade and I were just going to get some snacks.”

He’s still wearing a grin, but some kind of look, as if they’re communicating without speaking, passes between them. He doesn’t look at me again, winks at her, and says, “Find ’em later, Bernie.”

As he walks away, she yells out, “It’s Benny now.”

They’re both laughing when she snatches my hand and drags me the rest of the way to the snacks.

I want so badly to intertwine my fingers with hers, but I can’t, and she drops my hand before reaching for pretzels.

“O.M.G. It just hit me how hungry I am.” She shoves food into her mouth, and I can’t help but chuckle at her.

“Did you not eat dinner?” Leaning into the bar, I watch her with fascination.

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