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“Thank God for that,” I muttered under my breath, following him toward the door.
His shoulders silently shook as he guided me out of the room with a hand on my back. A shiver ran down my spine, and I did the worst possible job at hiding it if the fact his laughter when from silent to…not so silent…was any indication.
We made our way to the elevator and waited in silence. It was awkward—at least for me. Adam didn’t seem to be bothered about it at all. He was totally relaxed. A little too relaxed if you asked me.
Not that anybody did, but I was in the terrible habit of giving my opinion anyway.
We stepped into the thankfully empty elevator. My phone buzzed inside my clutch, and I dug it out as Adam hit the button for the second floor where the Palm Ballroom was.
Rosie: I’m going to kill her
Me: I’m going back to my room
Rosie: COME AND SAVE ME FFS
I sighed.
“What’s up?” Adam asked, sliding his gaze to me.
“My sister texted me begging me to come save her, which means my mom is all sunshine and fucking rainbows,” I replied. “Can’t wait.”
“I should cheer her up, right? Wasn’t she expecting you alone?”
“She fully expected you not to show up,” I agreed. “So, you’re right. You should cheer her up for a good, oh, fifteen minutes.”
He quirked a brow as the doors pinged open. “You’re not terrifying me at all, Red.”
“I warned you,” I reminded him as he guided me out of the elevator, too.
His hand was so gentle against the small of my back. That didn’t stop the tingles that ran across my skin without him even touching it.
I held my clutch against my stomach as I turned us in the direction of the ballroom. It wasn’t hard to find. Mark’s family had booked out the entire resort for the weekend, but there were still white and baby pink signs that pointed guests in the direction of the ballroom.
Since there was nobody else arriving yet—because we were early as I’d promised—we were completely alone in the outside area.
“Ready?” I asked Adam.
“Yep. Are you?”
“I wasn’t ready five minutes ago. You think that shit changed in the last five minutes?”
He laughed, pulling me closer into his side. “Come on. If we get through the first hour of being fake boyfriend and girlfriend, we’ve got this. Sixty minutes. We can do it.”
“Man, you’re so perky. I might have to break up with you.” I shook my head. “You’re totally gonna ruin my hating people persona.”
“Is that the one you put out with your shirts?”
“Yes. Embrace it or RIP to our totally real relationship.”
He pressed his face into the side of my head as we walked into the ballroom.
I couldn’t lie. It was decorated beautifully. Pearlescent white and baby pink balloons adorned each table, each four-balloon bouquet sprouting from the top of a white and pink flower arrangement.
If it wasn’t already obvious, the color scheme for the wedding was white and baby pink.
Long story short, it was perfect. Everything from the napkins to the lights above the bar had been changed.
It was like a fairytale. Seriously. My sister’s vision was unreal.
If I had to have a pre-wedding reception party, it’d consist of nachos and dips and Friends With Benefits blaring on the big screen. And me, alone, in my bed, with nobody else.
I was not my sister.
Not even close.
“Poppy! Finally!” My mom came rushing over to us.
We were barely in the goddamn room.
“Where have you been? We need you to help set up!”
I did a double-take. “I told Rosie six. She never told me she needed help, or I’d have been here.”
“Well, thank goodness you’re finally here. And you’re not alone.” Surprise briefly crossed her face. “Miranda Dunn. Poppy’s mom. And you are?”
I glanced at Adam. I think he finally “got” why we clashed. And it’d been sixty fucking seconds.
“Adam. It’s a pleasure, ma’am.” He ignored her offered handshake and, instead, took her hand and kissed her fingers.
Mom put her hand to her chest. “Handsome and he has manners,” she said to me, then turned back to Adam. “You look familiar. Have we met before?”
“I’m pretty sure I’d remember if we had.” He shot her a charming grin.
“Huh,” Mom said. “You are really familiar to me. Maybe I know a family member? What’s your last name?”
That was an excellent question.
Adam opened his mouth to speak, but he was interrupted by my father.
“Adam Winters! As I live and breathe.” Dad grabbed his hand and shook it enthusiastically. “What are you—Poppy? You brought Adam Winters to your sister’s wedding?”
I was missing something.
Something big.
“I, er,” I started.
“Adam Winters!” Mom clapped her hands. “Of course! I told you I knew your face!”
Adam grinned.
I glanced at him. My chest was tight. What was going on? What was I missing?
“My grandson is going to go crazy. Wait there! Mark!” Dad yelled, spinning in circles. “Mark! Get Rory!”
