Page 76 of Butter My Biscuit

Her eyes meet mine, and there’s a silent conversation that streams between us as she watches me watch her. In a crowded room, I’ll always find her. Always.

“She’s still in love with you, you know?” Lexi finally says.

This makes me laugh. “Yeah, well, there’s a list these days.”

Remi shakes her head. “The Kiss of Death. Guess you’ve still got it?”

“It never left,” I admit. “But anyway, great chat.” I lift my glass and escape.

Before I make my way to Grace, I notice Hayden and Beckett whispering in the corner, which means my brother officially knows about the engagement. And by the look on his face, he’s in on it.

“Are y’all talkin’ about drugs?” I look between them, still keeping my eye on Gracie. Now, she’s chatting with Summer as Kinsley laughs.

“Shut up.” Beckett turns back to Hayden and hands him a flask from inside his jacket pocket. “Ya nervous?”

Hayden doesn’t answer. He’s in his head, focused. And when he sees Kinsley, he excuses himself.

“Guess it’s now or never,” I say.

“Oh, you know?” Beckett turns to me.

“Of course I did. Weeks ago.”

He makes a face. “So, you and Grace are lookin’ kinda close.”

I roll my eyes. “Still having this same old-ass conversation every day?”

“Probably.” He lifts the flask to his lips and then hands it to me.

I take a sip. “This thing tastes like it’s been passed around a hundred times in a bar. The end was wet.” I wipe my mouth with the back of my sleeve. “Gross.”

“It kinda has.” He laughs.

“Feel like I just drank your spit directly from your mouth. I think I’m gonna throw up.” I shove it back into his hands as we watch Hayden move to the front of the room.

I know what’s going to happen, so I move over to Grace, who’s drinking champagne by the stairs.

“Were you waitin’ for me?” I ask once I’m closer.

“You know it.” She hands me the extra drink in her hand with a smile, and then she leans down and whispers, “I think it’s about to happen.”

I place my hand on the small of her back, and she relaxes under my touch. “It is.”

Hayden grabs the microphone, and the music in the room lowers. The crowd quiets, and we look up front.

“Attention, everyone. Hello? Nod your head if you can hear me.”

The conversations fully stop, and people do as he asked.

“Okay, great. Hi. I’m Hayden.”

Beckett cups his hands around his mouth. “Hi, Hayden!” he yells.

Hayden shakes his head, and I can see the nervousness on his face. All my brothers and sisters are here, along with most of the people our age from town. Sixty sets of eyes are on him.

“Do you see that woman right there? Kinsley, raise your hand.”

She might as well have a spotlight on her when he walks toward her because she lights up the room.

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