Page 81 of Be With Me (Adair Family 4)

He stood and drew her into a kiss that turned so passionate, I moved away from the window to give them privacy.

My smart, kind, strong, loyal friend had waited a long time for Mac, and I was so beyond thankful he had worked so hard on himself to offer her the life she’d wanted with him.

Yeah, I thought, a small smile on my lips as I walked downstairs toward the raucous sounds of the whole family together, I feel content.

Everyone I loved was happy, and that was more than anyone could hope for.

* * *

The last time I was inside the reception hall of the Gloaming, it had been dark, despite its high ceiling. That had a lot to do with the wood paneling on the walls, now completely gone. Arran’s team had replaced the paneling with light stone brickwork and revealed a vault in the high ceiling by opening it up so the beam supports were visible.

Garlands of fairy lights, attached to three large hoop lighting fixtures across the ceiling, draped like a canopy and were connected to the walls on either side. The tables were dressed simply in white linen, the wicker chairs unadorned. Copper lanterns with white candles inside served as centerpieces, surrounded by elegant wreaths of white peonies.

A ceilidh band had played during the wedding dinner, but now as people mingled and danced on the newly replaced dance floor, music blared from the deejay station.

I stared around at the mostly familiar faces. Regan and Thane chatted with Regan and Robyn’s mom and Regan’s dad (Robyn’s stepdad) Seth. Eilidh and Lewis were out on the dance floor with Robyn and Lachlan. Arro and Mac swayed out of sync to the too-fast music, oblivious to anyone but each other.

Both Regan and Arro had chosen elegant, simple wedding gowns. Regan’s was white crepe with delicate straps, a V neckline, and a silhouette that skimmed her slender curves and then flared at the knees. The only detail was its scooped cowl back and row of buttons down her derriere and train. It was almost like a simplified version of Robyn’s wedding dress. If Regan looked like a Hollywood starlet, Arro looked like a fairy-tale princess. Their dresses couldn’t have been more different.

Arro’s dress had cap sleeves that, like the bodice, were made from an off-white material cut into leaves and flowers. They were delicately sewn onto the sheer bodice fabric and cascaded down over her baby bump into a sheer tulle skirt. It had a silk underskirt, so she wasn’t naked under the tulle, but that, with her delicate silver floral crown the stylist had woven into her platinum waves, created an overall ethereal look that suited Arro to a T.

Mac had teared up when she walked down the aisle toward him, while Thane had looked impatient for Regan to reach him, as if he was desperate to have her be his wife as quickly as possible.

Neither groom had been able to take their eyes off their brides, and it was a miracle I noticed because I was distracted by the fact that Arran couldn’t take his eyes off me.

Like Robyn, I wore a pale lavender bridesmaid gown that suited both brides’ aesthetic.

My gaze sought out Arran now.

He’d left for the barroom to get more drinks. With the ceremony concluded, the speeches done, and dinner finished, everyone was relaxed and looking to get happy. A guest I didn’t recognize, a young woman and her female companion, had caught Arran, and from where I was sitting, it looked like he was flirting with them.

I knew he meant nothing by it, and I tried not to be bothered, considering I was certain I was the only woman he cared about. Arran had made that perfectly clear.

The flirting was just second nature to him. He couldn’t help it.

My eyes narrowed as he laughed at something the pretty brunette said.

“This seat taken?”

I looked up at the familiar voice, and a mix of affection, discomfort, and concern filled me at the sight of Brodan Adair. He’d flown in last night. And although he’d look gorgeous in any situation, the dark circles under his eyes and the general haggard strain on his features worried me. If the glances his siblings had been throwing him throughout the day meant anything, I’d say they were concerned too.

The man looked exhausted.

And sad.

“Please, sit.” I pushed out the chair next to me with my foot, and he slumped into it.

Once upon a time, Brodan could tongue-tie me. He was technically the most classically handsome of the Adair siblings, with a Captain America thing going on, massively broad shoulders, tapered waist, and long legs. He used to be clean-cut, but the last time I saw him, he had scruff, and today he was sporting an unkempt beard that Arro said was for his current film. His usually vibrantly pale-blue eyes were bloodshot.

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