“I’m fine,” Callie said, blushing. “I just got too much sun today.”
Liv walked them through the motions of the ceremony—who entered with whom and where to stand. The whole thing took ten, maybe fifteen minutes, before they returned to the hotel’s dining room for dinner.
Callie took her seat next to Noah and gasped when her ass hit the chair, the toy shifting and driving itself deeper into her.
“Are you sure you’re alright, Calandria?” her mother asked from across the table.
“It’s nothing, Mom. I just bit my tongue,” she lied, kicking Noah under the table when he smirked in response.
Once dinner was served, Jamie got to his feet, clinking his spoon against his water glass to get everyone’s attention. “The time has come for me to embarrass my big brother,” he declared.
“We said no speeches,” Daemon grumbled.
“You said no speeches at the wedding. You didn’t say anything about the rehearsal.” Daemon grunted in response, his brother grinning as he continued. “You’re a grumpy fucker—”
“That’s the pot calling the kettle black,” Daemon interjected.
”—and I can’t believe Liv wants to put up with you for the rest of your lives.”
“Aren’t toasts supposed to be complimentary?” Daemon asked.
“I’m getting there,” Jamie said. “I can’t believe Liv wants to put up with you, but I’m grateful that she does, because it means I won’t have to take care of you when you’re old and gray. Well, gray-er.”
“You’re not that far behind me,” Daemon said, a grin peeking through his scowl. “Give it another year or two and you’ll be gray, too.”
“Don’t listen to him, chickadee. Women love a silver fox,” Pattie said.
“Damn right!” Liv laughed and took a sip of her wine.
“Can I finish my toast?” Jamie asked, laughing. “Liv, there is no one I can imagine who is more perfect for my big brother than you. Thank you for helping him remember that it’s okay to smile every once in a while, and for keeping him out of the tabloids!” Jamie raised his glass. “To Daemon and Liv.”
Noah slid his hand onto Callie’s knee as he raised his glass to toast the happy couple, the small point of contact rioting through her. Every part of her awareness centered on the heat of his touch, the fullness in her ass.
“That’s my cue.” Noah squeezed her knee and stood up. “It’s my turn to embarrass my little sister, I suppose,” he said with a wicked grin.
She couldn’t help but think about the way that grin felt against her skin.Now is not the time, she told herself. Even still, she squeezed her thighs together at the image, barely containing another gasp when the move also increased the pressure of the plug.
“Noah, play nice,” Mrs. Van Aller said, but even she was smiling.
“Livi, when you told me you were getting married, my first thought was that no one could be good enough for you. And while I maintain that my initial instinct was correct, if anyone was ever going to come close, it would be Daemon.”
Callie watched Liv, cuddled beneath Daemon’s arm and leaning back against him, so secure in their love. So blissful it was like a visible aura around her. Callie was happy for her friend, over the moon that Liv had found her forever person, and yet she couldn’t help but wonder if that would ever happen for her. Would she ever have that kind of love, the kind she read about in her romance novels? The kind she wanted with Noah?
“I also promised you that I would take care of your something old and something new. First, the something new.” Noah reached into his jacket pocket and produced a small green plastic army man.
Liv laughed, joy bubbling up and spilling over.
“For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been giving Livi these little army men since we were kids. To help her be brave. I don’t think you’ll need any extra courage to walk down the aisle tomorrow, little sister, but just in case.” He handed her the army man. “Daemon, it’s your job now to make sure Liv has what she needs. And if you want a recommendation for where to buy those things in bulk, I’ve got you covered.”
He glanced back at Callie, the affection in his eyes taking her breath away.It isn’t real,she told herself.It’s only temporary. Isn’t it?
Before she could go too far down that rabbit hole, Noah returned his hand to his jacket pocket, this time removing it clenched tightly around something she couldn’t see.
“And for your something old,” he said to Liv, his voice tight in a way Callie wasn’t sure she’d ever heard before. He stared at his hand for a long moment before opening it and holding a ring up for everyone to see. It was a simple gold band, nothing flashy or remarkable about it.
“Oh, Noah.” Mrs. Van Aller’s voice caught as she pressed her hand to her chest.
“You didn’t get a chance to know Dad for very long,” Noah said, never taking his eyes from Liv, “but my God, Livi, he’d be so proud of you. He was fascinated by airplanes and history. He loved Sondheim and gardening and no one on this planet made pancakes as good as his. But more than anything, he loved his family, and he was so damn happy to have a little girl.”
