“Yes. We needed that more than anything else. Now get dressed, Mr. Lachlan.”
“Yes, ma’am, but I’m not done with you tonight.” He chased me to the bedroom.
I giggled. “As long as you can wait until we get home.”
“I’m not making any promises.” He spun me on my heels, kissing me rough and wildly, searing his lips into mine. I melted in his arms, loving every rebellious second we were away from the rehearsal dinner.
I tucked a flyway strand of hair behind my ear and patted the bun I had hastily pinned in place as Grey and I dashed through the doors of the Oceanside Restaurant. I couldn’t believe we were thirty minutes late. This was bad bridesmaid behavior. The restaurant lobby was packed.
Grey and I exchanged smiles. It looked like cocktail hour was in full swing. No one had even noticed we weren’t in the room. Every two seconds, I would glance at his leg to see if he was uncomfortable without the brace, but if he was in pain, he was hiding it from me. In a strange way, I had gotten used to him having crutches. It felt like we were missing a critical accessory.
He ordered two drinks for us at the bar, and we planted ourselves against a wall. I was afraid to jump into the beehive of aunts again, and Grey wasn’t really mister social at these events.
“So, what do you think about all this?” Grey motioned to the crowd in front of us.
I wasn’t sure I followed the question. “What do you mean ‘all this’?”
“You know, big wedding, big party, a hundred people at the rehearsal dinner. Is that your thing? Is that something you want?”
My heart started beating faster than usual, and my palms got clammy. “I uh—I haven’t really thought about it I guess.” I gulped half of the vodka seven drink. “What do you think about it?”
“Someday, when I’m ready to do this, I don’t think I want all the fuss.” He took a sip of his drink as if he was reflecting on a philosophical discussion. I still couldn’t believe we were talking about this. “Something small and simple would be good. Not too many people.”
I nodded. “Yes. Small and simple.”
“But a white dress. I think that’s important.”
I stared at him. Was he picturing me in a white dress? Imagining what I would look like next to him exchanging vows? I started to get woozy. This was a lot to take in. Breathe, Eden, breathe.
An image of Grey standing on the beach in a button-down white shirt, standing near a minister popped in my head. I couldn’t shake it. The image started getting cloudy as if I was backing away from the scene.
I couldn’t tell if things were changing between us or if my nerves were on edge from the discussion, but Marin’s father clanked his glass a few times and announced dinner was being served. I jumped slightly forward on my toes.
Grey gripped my free hand and led me to the dining room. I needed him to steady me now more than ever.
Marin and Pick rushed to greet us. “There you are! I was worried you weren’t here.”
I squeezed her tightly. “Of course we’re here.”
I tried to read the state of her nerves tonight, but it looked like she had a glass of wine and Pick was by her side. He was definitely taking care of her.
The guys shook hands. “Thanks for taking me out last night, man.” Pick slapped Grey on the back. “I appreciated you and Connor throwing that together.”
“Every man needs a bachelor party.” Grey smiled.
“Wait a minute, were there strippers?” Marin teased.
“Friends don’t divulge what happens at bachelor parties.” Grey looked completely serious. I knew there weren’t any strippers. They spent most of the night at Pete’s drinking beer and playing pool. Pick might have sung a little karaoke on stage, but Grey assured me that’s as wild as they got.
Marin poked Grey in the ribs. “At least I know Pick has good friends.” She reached for her fiancé’s hand. “Come on, babe. They’re waiting on us to sit down. I’ll talk to you after dinner, Eden.”
I watched as they crossed the room and sat at the head table with their parents. They looked happy. They looked calm. They looked like they were in love.
I threw a handful of paper towels in the trash and straightened my dress in the mirror. I had excused myself from dinner to visit the ladies room, but Grey was probably wondering where I was by now. I couldn’t stay holed up in here all night while I debated our earlier conversation.