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I glanced around at the people in line in front and behind us, seeing if anyone had noticed. But not even Ellie and Warren had heard.
“You spent the afternoon with Rowan and you’re still turning bright red.”
“I’m not used to such…” I chose my words carefully. “Enthusiasm? When it comes to me and my scent.”
He chuckled, the rich sound making my tummy do a flip. “If you want to make a waffle that tastes like me, feel free. I’d watch you eat it and memorize every second so I could remember it.”
“Now, that wouldn’t be fair. There are five of you.”
“Then we’ll just have to come back.”
So simple. We’ll come back. My head was so much clearer after this afternoon with Rowan, and I didn’t have the energy to keep myself from falling into them or keep them at arm’s length. Being held by them felt so good. Too good.
Ellie came forward and stole me away from Hawk. “You guys go entertain my fiancé for a minute.”
Vaughn gave a cheeky salute. “Yes, ma’am.”
All five men gave us a little space, and the line moved forward.
Ellie slipped her arm through mine. “You okay?” I asked.
“Fine.”
I gave her a look, and she sighed. “I’m annoyed with Warren. We do not see eye to eye on Beau. I explained everything I saw, and told him everything I know, and he still thinks it was some kind of misunderstanding. He said he’ll talk to Beau and put some sense into him, and I told him he could try, but it wouldn’t work.”
Fighting a wince, I looked out toward the ocean and the line of fire leading to the setting sun. “I don’t blame him. It’s hard to see people for who they truly are. Especially if you’ve known them for a really long time and are loyal. Trust me. I would know.”
“But you’re mysister.”
“Which is why I appreciate you backing me up and going to get Hawk.”
She laughed. “I didn’t go for him specifically. Just skidded into the gym and said something about you needing help. Hawk was the first one to follow. But between you and me, I think they all wanted to. Beau would have shit his pants.”
“I’ve asked them to try to keep things low key. This is all about you. I don’t want the drama between me and him to mess up the wedding. But as far as Warren, I’m your sister. But Beau’s been his friend far longer than he’s known me.”
“Yeah, well, without you, Warren would never have met me. He should be grateful.”
I slapped a hand over my mouth to stop the laughter and failed completely.
Ellie stared at me. “Why is that funny?”
“It’s not. I just… I never thought of it that way. This morning I said to Beau I wished I’d never met him, and it’s hard not to feel that way. But I never thought about that. If Beau and I weren’t a thing, none of us would be here. You wouldn’t be gettingmarried, and I’m not sorry about you getting to meet Warren. It’s nice to have something good come out of all the bullshit.”
“I could have met him some other way. You don’t know that.”
“True. Still, Ellie, I’m glad you’re with him. You’re good for each other.”
My sister looked at her future husband and smiled. He saw and immediately smiled back. There was love in those looks, absolutely impossible to hide. “I’m glad too. Even when he pisses me the fuck off.”
“Don’t punish him too much for loyalty, even if it’s misplaced. The only thing we can be sure of is that Beau will show his true colors eventually, and you’ll be there to hold Warren together when he does.”
We moved another few feet forward in line.
“El, if I ask you something, can you promise to tell me the truth?”
“Ominous, but yeah, of course.”
I crossed my arms and kicked the sandy concrete. “Did you know?”
