I take a step back just in time for the bartender to deposit my drinks in front of me. I slide a tip into the glass jar, pick them up with a nod of thanks, then limp straight back to where I left Lily. Only she isn’t alone anymore.
Fuck. Her cousin, and the douchebag who I now know is Lily’s ex, are standing in front of her. And beautiful, bright, happy Lily has almost folded in on herself.
I set the drinks down on the table next to her, and without thinking twice about it, slide my arm around her waist and tug her into my side, shifting my weight mostly onto my good leg. My head tips down and my lips find the top of her head.
“Hey, sunshine.”
I feel her tense up, but then relax underneath my arm. Turning my head slightly, so I’m facing away from the others, I whisper in her ear. “Breathe.”
Then, I school my expression to one of complete indifference. A useful tactic I honed over years of facing down annoying interviewers, puck bunnies, and ruthless sportscasters. It’s a face that saysI don’t give a flying fuck who you are or what you’re saying, but I’m not gonna be rude about it.
“Hi. Jude Donnelly.” I hold out my hand and accept the limp and pathetic handshake Lily’s ex gives in return.
“Clay Townsend.”
Turning to Lily’s cousin without giving the douchebag a second more of my time, I incline my head. “Marnie. Nice wedding.”
Her face looks pinched. I’m guessing she’s used to people piling on the praise, but that’s not my style. Unfortunately, this bitch has her claws out and ready to sink into the woman at my side.
“I have to admit, I’m surprised to see you here. I wasn’t entirely certain you were serious the other day when you said you were coming. Still, it was nice of you to come and help poor Lilian save face tonight. We try not to mention her brief connection to my husband, but people love to gossip.” She lays her hand on Clay’s chest possessively but without any affection. There’s clearly not a lot of love between those two. Not genuine love, at least, not if the fact that his eyes are scanning the crowd, his attention more on the drink in his hand than his new bride.
But Marnie’s cruel words hit their intended target dead-on. I feel Lily push back against my hand as if trying to escape.
Fuck that.
I look her evil cousin straight in the eye. “Any chance to be with Lily is an honour. I consider myself one lucky man that she chooses to be with me. How any guy could ever let her go is beyond my comprehension. I mean, I’ve never met anyone as beautiful, kind, intelligent, or just damn good-hearted as Lily. She outshines anyone around her, no matter the occasion.”
Am I being blunt and yet obtuse at the same time? Damn straight. Do I care that what I’m saying is a thinly veiled insult to the fucking bride? Hell no.
Because the instant I feel Lily’s arm wrap around my torso and her fingers squeeze my side, I know I’ve done the right thing.
“C’mon sunshine, let’s dance.”
I gently guide Lily away, abandoning our drinks and the horrible people she has to call family. It’s hard to mask my limp, but I push away the pain and do it anyway. Leading her out onto the dance floor, I turn her in my arms and lift hers up to wrap around my neck. “I can’t do more than sway, but dance with me.”
Her big grey eyes look up at mine, and I hate that I see tears shining in them. “Thank you.”
I pull her in close, tucking her head under my chin. “I’ve got you,” I say gruffly.
We stand there swaying for a few minutes until the song ends. My knee is throbbing, but the pain is worth it right now. But eventually, despite every part of me not wanting to, I make myself step back, not thinking aboutwhyexactly I don’t want to.
“Let’s get outta here,” I say in a low voice. “I don’t have an appetite for pretentious bullshit anymore; we can order room service instead. Unless they’re gonna miss you at dinner?” I give her the option, knowing if she chooses to stay, I’ll stay with her. Not a chance in hell I’m leaving her alone with these wolves.
Lily shakes her head vehemently. “I’m done. If my leaving gives them more to talk about, who the heck cares anymore.”
I take her hand. “Yeah, you’re gonna have to fill in some details for me, becausewhat the fuck.”
I watch her shoulders lift and drop as Lily takes in a big sigh. “That requires booze.”
I give a crisp nod and lead her over to the end of the bar. Flagging down a bartender, I lean over, whisper my request, and slide a couple of bills across to him. His eyebrows raise, but I see the second he realizes who I am, and thankfully, that’s enough to get me what I want.
Moments later, an unopened bottle of tequila in hand, Lily and I make our way to the elevators. As soon as the doors slide closed, she reaches down and pulls off her shoes with a sigh of relief.
“Let me know what I owe you for the booze.”
I frown at her. “Excuse me?”
Her eyes open and she stares at me. “I saw you pass the bartender cash to get that bottle from the open bar. I’m all for making Marnie and Clay pay for it, but you can at least let me split the tip you gave him to score an unopened bottle.”
