Page 36 of Sunset

“I haven’t known Kade all that long. In fact, when he came to town, I didn’t like him. I didn’t want some Hollywood playboy around the girls.” He points to Lin, and then to me. “I wasn’t very nice to him at the beginning, and for that, I’m sorry,” he says to Kade.

“Don’t be. It was the first time someone wasn’t kissing my ass, and I enjoyed it!” He laughs, and so does the rest of the room.

“But I got to know him, as I watched him with Lin, and what I saw was what I had always hoped for. See Lin, Brynn, and I grew up together, as most of you know. It was the three of us and another old friend, and the four of us were inseparable growing up.”

I smile, liking that Jasper doesn’t mention Travis, Lin’s ex, by name. He’s here today, but Kade isn’t his biggest fan, though Travis is a huge fan of Kade’s.

“What I saw with Kade in the last few months, minus the time the dumb ass went back to Hollywood,” he pauses, and everyone chuckles. “Was that he took care of Lin, like she was the most precious thing in the world. He opened his arms to Brynn just because she was important to Lin. Kade taught me a valuable lesson, and it’s one my mom has been trying to teach me from Kindergarten. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Kade is the exact opposite of what you read in the papers. He’s kind, caring, and one of the most real people I have ever met. Somehow, he was able to forgive me for being a total bastard, when we met, and here I stand in front of you today. I’m overjoyed to see how happy they are, and now, I have someone else helping me watch out for these two who seem to always find ways to cause trouble. To Kade and Lin.” He holds up his glass, and everyone echoes him, as we all drink.

He sits down and looks at me. My turn. I smile and stand.

“I’ve had a few sleepless nights trying to figure out what to say today. Lin and I always played wedding as a kid. Later, we roped Jasper into playing the groom.” I smile down at him, and again, leaving out Travis.

“It’s every girl’s dream the special day they get to walk down the aisle.” I look at Lin, and her eyes are already starting to water. “Damnit, Lin, I wasn’t going to make you cry, but since you are, I’m going to go there,” I say, and the room chuckles, and Lin smiles up at Kade.

“Every girl dreams of their dad walking them down the aisle. Five years ago, that dream was ripped from both of us.” I say. No explanation needed, as almost everyone in the room lived it with us. The room is so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

“That day forced us to change our dreams. We healed, and Lin dragged me kicking and screaming back to the light with her. One night about two years ago, after season, and after a lot of wine, Lin said to me the same thing I said to her today right before I walked down that aisle. I want a family so big that it doesn’t fit in the house at Christmas. For the last five years, the only family we had was each other. So that night, after more wine than I care to admit, she made me promise her something that today Kade has relieved me of.” I smile, as Lin’s eyes are wide, and Kade is looking at her, like she hung the moon.

“She made me promise that if we weren’t married by the time we were thirty, then we’d move into one of our parents’ homes and become single moms together. We’d adopt as many kids as we could afford, and we’d build our family anyway. I agreed, because at the time, I thought that would be the only way.” I give Lin a wobbly smile, and Jasper reaches over to give my hand a squeeze, and I smile down at him. He offers me a sad smile back.

“So today, I pass the torch to Kade. Our family has grown by one, and I expect a lot of nieces and nephews running around. Kade has made Lin happier than I remember her being in a long time. In one day, she gets a husband, and a mother and father-in-law, and I get the brother that I never wanted.”

Kade laughs with a sparkle in his eye.

“I had a front row seat to their love story, and it was better than any movie or book I have read. Nothing beats watching your best friend fall in love. That said, I may not have stepped foot on a boat in five years, but you hurt her? I will charter a boat to the middle of the Atlantic and drop your body, where no one will find it.” I level him with a gaze that says, while everyone is laughing, I’m serious.

“I promise to take care of her.” He says.

“Good, now I was promised some of Jasper’s cake that I haven’t had, since we were kids, so let’s get this party going!” I yell, and the music kicks on.

I collapse in my chair, feeling like I just ran a marathon. Jasper takes my hand and holds it, rubbing his thumb over the back of my hand.

Then, he leans in to whisper in my ear, “If you stop being so stubborn, you could have this too, you know. Now, dance with me.”

The rest of the night is filled with lots of laughter and dancing. The last time Jasper and I danced together was prom, and he’s gotten much better. He must see the question in my eyes, because he whispers, “I had to learn ballroom dancing, because the restaurant I worked for was big into charities in town, and my boss made it clear I was to be seen dancing. I never took a date, though.”

I hide my smile. This is my Jasper, just so much better.

Chapter 16

Jasper

God, Brynn was so beautiful in that dress she wore at the wedding yesterday. It was a strapless baby blue that was flowy, and when the wind caught it, she looked like a goddess with the flowing dress. It’s all I’ve been able to think about. Her in that dress and in my arms all night.

I walked her back to her room, and I could see the desire in her eyes. It was like the one the night of the bachelor party and like that night she had been drinking. I know she wanted me to kiss her, but I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and went home. It was so hard, but I need her to open and let me in, even just a little.

We’re prepping for dinner, which should be slow, since everyone in town was out yesterday at the wedding, allowing my mind to wander, until the kitchen door opens and in walks Brynn. She isn’t in her normal shorts and a tank top. She’s wearing cut-off jean shorts that show just a hint of the bottom of her ass cheeks with a button-down shirt with just enough buttons undone to show off her cleavage, and I couldn’t turn away from her, even if I tried.

Then, a sharp pain shoots from my finger up my arms. I look down and realize I cut myself.

“Fuck!” I shout and grab the towel from my back pocket, wrapping it around my finger.

I just look at the prep guy next to me, and he starts cleaning it up, as I head back to the office.

“Oh, gosh. Are you okay?” Brynn walks over and takes my hand in hers. “Come on, there’s a first aid kit in my office.”

I don’t stop her to tell her there’s a first aid kit in my office in the kitchen. I just follow her to her office. I like the idea of Brynn taking care of me, having her hands on me, and being in her space.

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