Chapter 19: Chapter 19

AVERY

“Madison and I are getting married!”

We all cheer, turning heads in the restaurant as we applaud. Josh holds his hand out, signaling for us to quiet down.

“You’re probably thinking that the surprises are all over with, but we’ve got one more for after dinner. I think it’s about time we dig into some top-notch delights. What do you say?”

Waiters in immaculate uniforms encircle the table, serving us appetizers of freshly prepared lobster risotto. My stomach growls at the sight of the buttery and savory dish with large chunks of lobster tail.

~Must be pricey, ~I think, hesitating to dig in.

“Don’t worry about the bill. It’s our treat,” Josh announces, as another waiter pours red wine into our glasses.

Talk about the upcoming wedding continues as we work our way through the first course and the next. As plates are cleared to make room for dessert, Madison and Josh rise from their seats.

“Excuse us, we’ll be right back,” Josh says with a dramatic wave of his hand, acting like a magician about to reveal his next trick.

Reed waits until they’re out of sight before leaning closer to me. “Did you know what this was about before you showed up?”

“I had a hunch.”

“Yeah, your brother isn’t as smooth in the secret department as he thinks he is.” He chuckles and takes a sip of his wine. “It’s about time though, right?”

I giggle. “After three years of dating? Yes, it’s beyond time.”

Olive notices our little chat and joins in. “What are we talking about?”

“Josh finally making an honest woman out of Madison,” Reed jests.

Olive nods and turns back to her conversation with Casey. She’s been very interested in talking to him tonight.

~Is she into him?~ I wonder as I flick my gaze back to Reed.

“Yeah. And you get to help him do it.” I snicker, lifting my glass to take a sip.

Reed’s attention follows the motion, lingering on my lips. “I’m pretty sure you do too.”

“I haven’t been asked yet,” I say with a shrug.

“No, but you know it’s coming,” Reed replies. “I’m the best man. You’re the maid of honor, keeping all those bridesmaids in line.”

“Looks like it. Guess that means no hooking up with them,” I chuckle sarcastically. “We’ll have too much to do for them to be distracted by your handsome self.”

He shrugs. “Wouldn’t want to anyway.”

“Reed Everett not interested in meaningless sex? What has gone wrong with the world?” I tease.

“Or what has finally gone right,” he says with a wink.

My stomach flutters. “Maybe they’ll have karaoke at the wedding.”

“If so, we’re doing another duet. But I’ll let you choose the song this time.”

More laughter bubbles out of me. “You mean, you don’t want to sing another ditty about getting married?”

“If I get to go up there with you, I’ll choose two ditties about us getting hitched.”

My pulse races at the thought.

~Marrying Reed? In my dreams.~ ~He’s playing games again. Maybe I can too.~

I bite my lip and lean closer, feeling bold. “But there are so many other songs that could be fun to sing about,” I say my voice low. “Songs for a wedding night perhaps?”

A spark ignites in his eyes as he catches on, and he feigns shock. “Little Avery Morris, are you referring to naughty things right now?”

A loud laugh bursts out of me from the look on his face.

“I’m just saying, songs about marriage aren’t as fun as say a song about temptation…or giving in.” I take another sip, batting my eyelashes.

He smiles, slow and seductively. “Now that sounds very fun. Why don’t you send me some of those songs tonight?”

I nod, trying to hide the pink of my cheeks behind my wine glass.

His golden eyes flick down my form, the heat from them radiating along my skin.

“Oh, and before your brother gets back and I’m not able to say such things out loud anymore, you look radiant tonight.” He leans closer, lips brushing my ear. “Absolutely radiant. The most beautiful woman in the room by far.”

Goosebumps erupt all over my skin. I want to respond, maybe tell him how devastatingly handsome he is in that suit, but Josh and Madison return to the table before I can, carrying several small gift boxes.

Josh hands one to each of us. “Just a little token for all your support, and a little incentive asking you all to be part of our big day. Go ahead. Open them.”

Inside mine, I find a stunning silver charm bracelet with a gem-studded flower bouquet pendant and a small link with the letter ~A~. There’s a card printed in elegant calligraphy.

~Will you be my maid of honor?~

“Oh, wow! This is so beautiful!” I exclaim, picking up the bracelet and struggling to fasten it around my wrist. “Of course!”

Olive holds up her bracelet. It’s similar to mine except that hers has the letter ~O ~instead of an~ A~.

Reed sets his box aside to help me with the clasp. His touch sends a shiver down my spine.

“Thank you,” I say.

“No problem,” he replies, a smile playing on his lips as he traces the silver chain on my wrist before returning his attention to his own gift. “Like you’d ask anyone else,” he chuckles to Josh, holding up the card asking him to be the best man.

Josh shrugs, and Reed looks back into the box.

“No way,” he mutters. “You didn’t get me a new Apple Watch, did you?”

Josh just smiles. “Looks like I did.”

Reed pulls Josh into a grateful hug. “Thanks, man.”

“You’re welcome, brother.”

Casey also receives an Apple Watch and an invitation to be a groomsman.

“Is this the entire wedding party?” I ask.

“No. We had a dinner with our friends back home last week,” Madison explains as she stands back and snaps a few pictures. “We wanted to get everyone together for one big dinner, but schedules didn’t allow it.”

“How many bridesmaids?” Olive asks, struggling with her bracelet clasp.

Casey notices and comes over to help her. Her grateful smile is so bright it’s blinding.

“Four and four groomsmen,” Josh answers, clearing the table of the now empty boxes.

“Four watches. You must be rolling in dough,” Reed jokes.

“These bracelets aren’t cheap either,” Olive adds. “Pandora charm bracelets. They are so gorgeous though. Thank you, guys!”

Dessert arrives and conversation flows around details about the upcoming nuptials. Madison is practically glowing as she talks about her dream wedding coming to life. I glance at Josh and smile, knowing he’s ready to make everything she wants happen.

As the empty plates are being cleared, Reed looks down at his new watch.

“Shit. I need to get going. I have an early morning tomorrow.”

“Wait! Before you leave, we need pictures,” Madison insists, scanning the room for the perfect backdrop. “Over there!” She points to a red wall with gold trim.

We all head over, and Madison arranges us, handing her phone to a passing waiter to take our picture. There’s laughing and fussing as we get ready. I look up to find Reed standing just behind me.

The waiter starts counting down from ten, stepping back to fit us all in the frame. “Okay! Ten…nine…eight…”

Reed’s arm brushes against mine as he leans down to whisper in my ear. “You’re a naughty girl, Avery. Singing dirty songs. Maybe you can sing a few just for me.”

“Seven…six…five…four…,” the waiter continues.

I turn to look at him, too shocked to respond. His hazel eyes lock on to mine, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“Three… Everyone look at the camera…”

I whip back around, my cheeks burning as I grin for the photo.

“Two…one!”

The flash goes off. Behind me I can feel Reed’s chest shaking as he laughs.

“Take a few more, just to be safe,” Madison instructs.

The flash goes off a few more times as I stare ahead, trying to ignore the warmth of Reed’s body as he stands next to me.

Madison says a polite thank you to the waiter and tucks her phone away before we all start our goodbyes. We head toward the exit and cheer again as the future Mr. and Mrs. Morris climb into a cab.

Once the coast is clear, Reed saunters over. “Think it’s about time you gave me a lesson, Coach.”

“Hmm, you’re right,” I agree, a smile playing on my lips. “How about we catch a movie tomorrow? I can school you on the allure of romantic dramas.”

He pulls a face which makes me laugh.

“Sounds good. Don’t forget to send me some of those songs,” he says, reaching out to tuck my hair behind my ear. “I can’t wait to pick the dirtiest one for our duet. See you tomorrow.”

I wave as he walks away. Olive comes over, linking her arm in mine and shouting bye to Casey as he climbs into a cab.

“Casey’s nice,” I mutter as we hail our own taxi.

“Might be a bit of fun,” Olive says with a laugh. “Think he might be the relationship type though.”

“How dare he,” I say with feigned shock.

She smacks me in the arm as we climb into the waiting car. I compile a playlist of the most suggestive songs I can think of for Reed on our drive home.

Avery

For the honeymoon 😉

I hit send as we pull up to the apartment. I change and fall into bed soon after we get through the door, letting myself fantasize about walking down the aisle toward a tuxedo-clad Reed before I finally fall asleep.