“And it was a beautiful ceremony,” Lexie added, her blue eyes awash with emotion.
Maddie had to concur. She’d definitely shed a few tears watching Nate and Charlotte exchange their vows. The ceremony and reception were both being held at Nate’s place, and although his house was modest in size compared to others in the area, he had an enormous property. Owen and the crew had built a dance floor right over the grass, and the newlyweds had said their vows under a beautiful, intricately carved wooden altar that Owen had built himself. He’d showed it to her last night, and she’d nearly cried at the sight of it. Owen hadn’t said a word about it, but apparently he’d been working on the altar for months, stashing it on the property of one of their clients until the big reveal.
There were only about forty people in attendance—the Bishop family, a handful of Nate and Charlotte’s friends, and the agent, manager and musicians Charlotte had worked with in the past. Tables piled with food were set up on one end of the yard, and the mother of the groom, Della Bishop, was bustling around making sure the guests were well fed and that their champagne glasses were full. Maddie understood Della’s excitement—Nate was the first of her sons to get married, and it was obvious his mother was over the moon about it.
Maddie had noticed Della shooting her and Owen a few curious glances too, especially when Owen had revealed to his mom that the two of them were dating.
Dating.
That he wasn’t shy or scared to tell people about their relationship brought a rush of pure joy to her belly. She’d noticed a change in Owen over the past week, a subtle shift in behavior that she still couldn’t figure out. He almost seemed…lighter. As if confessing his fear to her that day at the lake had lifted a weight off his chest. Or maybe the change had happened during the movie marathon they’d had a few days ago, when she’d glanced over and noticed him looking at her with the most wondrous expression, as if he were seeing her for the first time.
Whatever it was, she wasn’t complaining. Owen had been unbelievably loving and attentive this week, and he’d clutched her hand so tightly and had looked at her with such emotion during their walk down the aisle. A part of her wondered if maybe he loved her, but she was too nervous to ask him how he felt.
Her feelings, on the other hand, were as clear as the blue sky overhead. She hadn’t said it out loud, but he must know she loved him. She’d loved him from the day they’d met.
“By the way,” Lexie spoke up, pulling Maddie from her mushy thoughts, “Cooper told me you guys slept together.”
Maddie nearly dropped her iced tea glass. She swiveled her head in shock. “He did? But…why were you talking to Cooper?”
Lexie shrugged, her expression becoming veiled. “Oh, we just ran into each other.”
“And he just happened to mention that he and I slept together? Why would he say that to a total strang—” She halted, her eyes widening. “Oh my God.”
The blonde beside her looked distinctly uncomfortable. “What?”
“Is he…is Cooper the guy you were telling me about?” Disbelief swirled inside her. “You were involved with Cooper Grady?”
Lexie frowned. “Keep your voice down.”
“Why?” She paused. “Nobody else knows?”
With a shaky exhale, Lexie met her eyes and said, “You’re the only one who knows.”
She shook her head, trying to comprehend it all. Lexie Price and Cooper Grady? It was such a ridiculous pairing she had trouble wrapping her mind around it.
“But…you’re so…elegant,” she blurted out. “And he’s so…”
“Crude?” Lexie filled in, a glint of humor entering her blue eyes. “Rough? Rude? An asshole? Yeah, he sure is.”
“When did…how long were you two together?”
“A few months.”
Lexie didn’t elaborate, and Maddie didn’t push her. She was still reeling over the revelation, and also feeling a bit horrified. “It only happened once,” she admitted in a hushed voice. “Cooper and me, I mean. We’re not…we’re not together or anything.”
Lexie shot a discreet glance at Owen, who was laughing at something his mother had said. “I kind of guessed,” she said dryly. “Owen’s been going around telling everyone you two are an item.”
She blushed. “He has?”
“Yep, and he seems pretty happy about it. What about you? Are you happy?”
“Blissfully happy,” Maddie said, a lump of emotion clogging her throat. “I…I love him.”
There was a wistful twinge in Lexie’s voice. “I can see that.”
“As for Cooper,” she added awkwardly, “we’re just friends. And I swear to you, if I’d known about you two, I never would have…you know.”
Lexie waved a dismissive hand. “It’s fine. I’ll admit, I was a bit jealous when he told me, but I’m over it now. I’m over him.”
The wobble in that last bit didn’t go unnoticed. “Are you sure about that?” Maddie asked in a gentle tone.