Page 107 of Butter My Biscuit

I laugh and leave every last drop of sarcasm I have left in my tone. “Yeah, it’sreallyfunny. Can’t believe you haven’t heard that everyone thinks I’m madly fuckin’ in love with you and I’m dating Stephanie to get over us. Wild, isn’t it? But it’s just astupidrumor.”

Even though it’s faint, I hear her gasp. “Coming here was the stupidest move you could’ve made if you’re trying to stop rumors. My mother will take pictures and will tell everyone you were here. You realize that, right? This is going to inflame the stupidity!”

I run my fingers through my hair, then grab her loofah and wash my body. “It’s why I’m proposing to Stephanie when I get home from this trip.”

“What?” She opens the shower door. Her gaze slides from my eyes, down to my mouth, and doesn’t stop until she’s staring at my cock. Then, she looks up at me again. “You’re gettingmarried?”

I stare at her, then grab the glass door and slam it closed. “I want to settle down and start thinking about a family. I honestly have you to thank for this because you were the one who helped me realize that. I was going to tell you at the end of this trip, but you know what they say … there isnotime like the present.”

“Congrats. I’m happy for you.” I see the distorted reflection of her body back away, and then she walks out of the bathroom.

After I’m done showering, I change into my black suit because I’m saving the navy one for tomorrow, for the ceremony.

I stand in front of the mirror, and I’m half tempted to drive to the airport now and book a flight back to El Paso, but I’m determined to hash this out. She might have wanted me to stay, but if we’re at each other’s throat the entire time, it’s going to be a long three days.

I slide on my sandals because we’ll be in the sand all night. Shoes would be a mistake.

Grace puts on some earrings, then turns and looks at me from head to toe. Then, she smiles. “You do dress up nice.”

I drink in every curve of her. “You do too.”

The tension and awkwardness are enough to slice me into pieces, but I stand firm. Grace made a promise that if things changed, she’d say something. That woman has never broken a promise to me even if I’m the first person on her shit list. Her integrity runs too deep.

This weekend, she’ll admit it. Or she won’t. No matter what, I’m leaving this island with no regrets. Giving it my best attaboy.

“We should get going,” she says, swallowing and holding out her hand like we used to do.

It’s an olive branch, and I take it, even though I know she’s mad as hell. Grace leads me down the hallway and into the elevator.

When we make our way onto the sand, she doesn’t let go of me. The rehearsal is only supposed to last an hour.

When we’re closer, her mother turns her head. Kathy’s eyes meet mine then Grace’s. There’s an inkling of shock, and I’m sure this will all get back to Valentine before my feet land on the other side of the ocean, but right now, I don’t give two fucks what anyone thinks. Do I ever?

Stephanie knew exactly what she was doing when she told me to go—ensuring I was hers.

Grace doesn’t say anything, but she doesn’t let go of me either. I interlock my fingers with hers and place them on my lap. Then, the officiant who’s running the show arrives. Grace stands, and if I had to guess, she’s seeing her sister for the first time since they arrived. The two of them immediately burst into tears.

Grace stands up front, listening to all the instructions as her mama makes her way over to me. She moves to the seat behind me and leans forward, resting her hand on my shoulder.

“How did I know you’d be here?” Kathy pats me. “Your mama know where you are?”

“Yes, ma’am, she sure does.” I smirk, keeping my gaze forward, not taking my eyes off Grace as the breeze blows her long hair out of her face.

“And yourgirlfriend?” Her voice lowers.

I don’t even have to turn around to know the wicked look she’s giving me. That woman grounded me when I was a kid when Grace and I got into too much trouble, and I wouldn’t put it past her to try it now.

“You know I’ve always done what I’ve wanted,” I finally say. “But, yeah, she knows too.”

Kathy squeezes my shoulder. “I just really hope you know what you’re doin’, honey. Before you get in too deep.”

I laugh, not realizing I was going to getthistalk this weekend. “Pretty sure it’s a little late for that.”

“I hope to see ya around.” She stands when the music begins and goes back to her place.

Grace stands off to the side. She’s the only person Savannah chose for her wedding party, and Chip’s brother is up there too. As they run through how things will happen, I watch him totally eye-fucking her, but she’s zeroed in on her sister. Except for those few times when she glances at me. Then, he turns his head, and his eyes meet mine, and I realize he’s who she was with last night.

“Stupid girl.” I shake my head, wishing she knew what she had, wishing she could see that I could be the man who would make her happy for the rest of her life.

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