Page 30 of Rules Of Our Own

I nod. I really fucking do.

River walks away and out the back door. Mia huffs beside me, and I chuckle. “Don’t worry. I guarantee he’s still thinking about the way that dress hugs your curves. I know I can’t stop.”

“You are nothing but trouble.” Her gaze doesn’t meet mine, but a small smile pulls at her lips. I wrap her fingers in the crook of my elbow and stare down at her, tracing the delicate lines of her collarbone when the music starts playing. “Shall we?”

Her fingers tighten their hold. “I bet Lucas cries.”

I laugh. “I guarantee it.”

I guide her down the aisle toward the altar decorated with white flowers set against the mountainside backdrop. It pains me to let her go to take her place as a bridesmaid. I already know I’ll be counting down the seconds until I can have her next to me tonight. There’s only a handful of people here. Lucas’s and Piper’s parents and some other extended family I don’t recognize sit in the chairs facing us.

The wedding march music starts, and the back double doors open, revealing Piper. Her eyes are bright, and I follow them to where Lucas is standing. Mia was right. Tears track down his face, and his smile wobbles as his soon-to-be wife walks toward him.

The second Piper’s within touching distance, Lucas has her pulled against his chest, his mouth taking over hers in a long, slow kiss.

We all laugh, but they don’t stop until River clears his throat. “Ready?”

Lucas pulls away slowly, but not before stealing another kiss. He doesn’t let go of her hand even when he faces the altar.

“Ladies and gentlemen, family, and friends, we gather here today to celebrate and witness the union of Piper and Lucas. As we come together on this momentous occasion, let us take a moment to appreciate the profound love and commitment that has brought them to this day.”

River starts the ceremony, but my attention is pulled across the aisle to where Mia stands, eyes glued on the couple. Her cheeks are bloomed pink, and her eyes are glossy as she watches her friends.

“I, Lucas Knight, take Piper Adams…”

Mia swipes a stray tear with her knuckles and shares a look with an equally affected Sidney before her gaze lands on me.

“I, Piper Adams, take Lucas Knight…”

The world goes quiet as River says the words that tie the couple together, but my brain twists it as I’m frozen in place. For the briefest of seconds, I can imagine she’s the one standing across from me.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride. Again.”

Cheers erupt, and Mia’s attention pulls away from me as she wraps Misty in an excited hug. I’m still glued on the spot when Jax slaps a hand on my shoulder in a half hug. He’s grinning at me. “Treat her right, or Sidney will kill you.”

I choke. “That obvious, huh?”

He laughs, letting his arm drop. “So fucking obvious.” He looks toward where River approaches Mia and gestures toward them. “Is that going to be a problem?”

I shake my head, warmth flooding my chest. “Not this time.”

I follow River and Mia back into the barn. It’s decorated in white and gold decorations. Flowers, cards, and God knows what else. Looks pretty though.

I can’t look away from where her dress slides down her back and molds to the curve of her ass. I fist my hand to prevent myself from closing the distance and smacking it just to watch it bounce. One day, I promise myself.

There’s a long rectangular table with place settings on each side. Lucas and Piper sit in the middle, their heads dipped toward each other, and Jax and Sidney sit across from them. River sits on Jax’s left, guiding Mia to the spot beside him. One of Piper’s guests goes to sit beside her, and I step up uncomfortably close, raising one eyebrow. Not a fucking chance, buddy. “That’s my seat.”

He swallows hard and takes a step back. “Sorry about that. My mistake.”

Mia’s smirking at me when I sit next to her. “Was that really necessary?”

“Yes.” I reach under the table and wrap my fingers just above her knees. The slippery satin fabric is warm under my touch. Her gaze darts to mine, but she doesn’t move away, and I take it as permission to keep my hand there. I run my thumb in an arch, loving the way she presses into my touch.

River settles his arm behind her and cups the back of her neck beneath her hair. Her eyes darken when they meet his, and he says, “Comfortable?”

She nods in reply. Fuck, I love when she’s speechless.

The girls are all wearing matching smirks as they look at us from across the table, and Mia’s cheeks turn cherry red, but she doesn’t move.

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