“Sparks. I like the sound of that. Reese Sparks. Some men take their bride’s name.”
“I’m not one of them,” he says with authority in his tone. One that’s saying this is in no way negotiable. He closes my door and walks toward his vehicle. And I could pull away, but I wait because I know he’s going to give it to me. Even though I can’t see his face, I know he’s smiling at what I’ve just said despite the seriousness in his voice. And as he grabs his door handle, I see the slight shake of his head before he gives me that smile over his shoulder, the smile I’ll always wait for. Satisfied, I finally pull away from the Whitmore with a very happy man behind me.
“Jesus. This place is packed,” I yell over the music as Reese leads me through the crowd of people.
Friday nights at The Tavern do tend to be a bit busier, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it this mobbed before. I stay close to Reese, my hand in his as he weaves me in and out of the mass of bodies toward one of the tall tables surrounding the dance floor. I spot our friends once we get close enough. Juls is sitting on Ian’s lap, Joey is talking intimately with Billy, and Brooke is looking between the two couples, rolling her eyes.
“Why I agreed to show up here dateless is beyond me,” she snaps before taking a sip of her drink. Her eyes widen when they focus on Reese and me. “Ahhh! You’re here!” She moves past Billy and Joey, wrapping her arms around me. “Thank you for inviting me out tonight. I’m so fucking excited about tomorrow.” She glances up at Reese. “Wait until you see your wedding cake. It’s unreal.”
“I can’t wait,” he answers, dropping my hand. “You want anything from the bar?”
“Just a water.” I turn to Juls once Reese leaves the group. “Is that what you’re having?”
She holds up her glass. “Nothing but water for me for the next eight months. I need it tonight anyway after bawling my eyes out at the rehearsal. I can’t imagine how emotional this is going to be tomorrow.”
“Am I the only one who didn’t cry?” Billy asks, reaching up and fixing Joey’s collar.
“I didn’t,” Ian says, glancing over at Juls who shoots him a disbelieving look. “What? I wasn’t crying. My allergies were acting up.”
“Sure they were,” Brooke teases. “Because you didn’t shed a few tears during your own wedding, or when you heard your baby’s heartbeat. You’re practically a chick, Ian. Whereas Reese exudes manliness.”
“Easy, hornball,” I direct at her. She wiggles her brows at me as a response.
Reese returns to the table carrying a beer and a glass of water for me. Ian points at him. “You think he won’t be emotional tomorrow? Are you fucking kidding? I’ll bet a hundred bucks he cries before any of us. Including you.” He motions toward me and smiles. “Shall we make it interesting?”
“Fuck you. I haven’t cried since I was a kid. I’ll take that bet,” Reese says. He looks down at me as he slides his arm around my waist. “Honeymoon money.”
I laugh as Joey slides off his stool. “I’m in.”
“Me, too,” Billy adds.
“Yup. I say you’re going to weep like a baby the minute you see her,” Juls says behind her glass, smiling at Reese. “I’ve seen the dress. Good luck getting any money from us.”
“I want in. I don’t have a hundred bucks yet cause I’m waiting to get paid,” Brooke pauses, shooting me a look which I give right back to her. “But, I’m betting Reese holds his ground. I think Dylan will cry before he does.”
Reese presses his lips to my hair. “You want in on this, love?”