Page 10 of Out in the Country

“You look handsome, Ev,” Hayden says while absentmindedly running his hand down my vest. His eyes meet mine, and they’re so bright my breath catches in my throat.

“So do you,” I manage, and he smiles and steps back before looking at himself in the mirror.

“Are you ready?” Ours eyes meet, and I nod and hope that he understands that I’m ready for so much more than what waits for us downstairs.

* * *

“Everett! There you are!”Harper wraps her arm around my waist and pulls me tight against her while taking a long sip from her champagne flute.

The ceremony had been like something out of a movie and far more decadent than anything I’d ever dreamed of for my own nuptials. Harper and Brian had exchanged vows they’d written, and there wasn’t a dry eye out on the lawn, mine included.

“You look beautiful, Harper.” I hug her against me and take a sip of the whiskey that Hayden had generously placed in my hand as soon as the wedding party had been announced into the reception.

“Thanks, Everett.” Her eyes shine as she looks from me to Hayden, and I can’t quite figure out what that means. Instead, she squeezes me again before clearing her throat. “I want you to meet my friend, Elyse.”

My back tenses and my gaze locks with Hayden’s gray eyes which appear stormier than usual. To anyone else, he looks relaxed and calm—happy even—but as I approach a girl in a short pink dress, I watch as his jaw ticks and his eyes harden.

Interesting.

“Everett, this is my friend, Elyse. We went to school together.”

“It’ssonice to meet you,” Elyse purrs and offers her hand.

I shake it and force a smile. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

“Harper has told meallabout you.”

She’s obviously trying to be seductive but she’s throwing itwaytoo hard, and unfortunately for her, I’m only interested in where Hayden disappeared to. He might think he knows what was going on, but he doesn’t have the first clue.

It’s time to ambush my best friend.

Kissing Harper on the cheek, I turn and give Elyse my most winning smile. “It truly has been great meeting you, but I need to go and find someone.”

Harper gives me a knowing smirk, and before Elyse can respond, I move through the crowd in search of my elusive best friend.

5

EVERETT

The upside to being a plus-one at a wedding is that, in general, there aren’t a lot of people that want to make small talk with me. I move easily between groups and couples dancing and laughing and just enjoying the night.

It’s been a perfect day, and I can only hope that feeling holds out a little bit longer.

Stepping onto the patio, I let the cool air wash over me as I take my first full breath since I lost sight of Hayden. And then…he steals my breath entirely.

His back is to me, looking out over the lawn in the fading evening sun. The strong lines of his shoulders and back are hugged exquisitely by the cut of his suit. Talking myself out of being in love with my best friend has been futile, and while I’m positively vibrating with excitement, I’m equally unsure about his reaction.

Steeling myself for whatever may come, I step up behind him and take a leap of faith.

“Hey.” For an opening line, it doesn’t suck. I’m also not winning any personality contests with it either.

“Hey.” His voice is even, but as he turns to look at me, I see annoyance and hurt in his eyes.

I grin.

His eyes narrow.

I grin wider.

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