Page 66 of Craving the Player

“And he brought adate!” the woman shrieks, her glossy lips lifting in awarm smile. The striking blue in her eyes contrasts against her silver dress effortlessly. It isn’tuntil she turns to the side, briefly stealing aglance at her husband as he settles beside her that Isee the protruding baby bump. Iwant to congratulate her, but decide to do it later.

“You act like Ididn’ttell you that Iwas, Gray,” Braden replies with achuckle while snaking an arm around my waist and pulling me close. “Sierra, this is Gracie. Gracie, this is Sierra.” He introduces us just seconds before I’mtugged away from him and enveloped in her small arms.

My body tenses for asmall moment before Ilaugh and return the hug. “It’snice to meet you.”

Gracie pulls back but keeps her hands on my shoulders, holding me in place as if to inspect me. “Are your eyes naturally grey? Or are they silver? Either way, they are gorgeous!”

Her outgoing, sweet as honey personality takes me by surprise in the best way. Tyler seems like such ahard person to get to know, so Ithink Ijust assumed that maybe his wife would be the same. “They are both grey and natural. Iused to hate them when Iwas akid.” Ilaugh nervously.

“Ihope you don’tanymore! They’re so unique,” she gushes.

“Thank you.” My cheeks warm at the compliment.

“Okay, my love. Don’tscare away the only girl that can stand Braden’spresence,” Tyler half-heartedly scolds, placing akiss in her hair and rubbing her swollen stomach. “Let’sgo find our table before the reception starts.”

Gracie rolls her eyes but agrees anyway. Her reaction has Braden laughing, his palm now comfortably resting against my lower back. “Fine. But I’mso not done with you, Sierra. We’ll see you in there?” she asks, her tone hopeful.

“Where else would we go?” Braden teases, earning himself asmack on the arm that has him wincing.

“Alright, smart ass.” She gives him the finger before turning back to me. “I’ll see you soon.”

As we watch Gracie wrap her fingers around Tyler’sforearm and nearly drag him back into the ballroom, Ilet out asmall giggle.

“Something funny?” Braden asks, flashing me abeaming white smile.

“Ilike her.”

“Yeah? She’sdefinitely something.”

“Ifound it refreshing. She seems genuine.” Like the type of person who knows exactly when to be warm and compassionate, but also cold and merciless when she needs to be. She reminds me of Clare. Maybe that’swhy Ilike her so much already.

Braden nods in response and turns us so we face each other. Lines form across his forehead as mouth turns down, aheavy feeling twitching in the air. “She’sthe reason for my brother’shappiness. It’shard to think about where he would be right now without her.” Igrab his hand and squeeze as he clears his throat along with all of the worry that was present just seconds ago. “Anyway, we should probably head in. You ready?”

“Ithink so. Iused to love weddings as akid.” There was something magical about watching two people announce their love for one another so publicly. It gave me butterflies and only grew my obsession with fairytales as alittle girl.

“It’sbeen along time since I’ve been to one. I’mglad you’re here with me.” Braden presses his lips softly to my forehead and Ilean towards him, closing my eyes.

“Me too,” Iwhisper before he pulls back and interlocks out fingers. “Lead the way, handsome.”

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