“I’m plan-less,” I tell him, because all my plans now revolve around my job, or a certain redhead. “Now, can I go and congratulate your wife?”
Lowesy’s face warms at the title. “I’ll sucker punch you if you don’t.”
She’s still being fawned over. She looks utterly overwhelmed, and still hasn’t managed to take a single step inside the house. Everyone will back off once they’ve managed to hug her for half a second.
“Sweets!” I sing as I approach. Her eyes are way bluer than normal when she looks at me. “I’m so happy for you, buddy.”
She wipes the corner of her eyes with the pads of her fingers and gently pulls her hand away from Arden. She reaches for me instead. My heart aches a bit. Out of love, obviously. I’m ecstatic for her. She winds her arms around my neck, and I hug her back, rocking her gently back and forth.
Lucky Lowes.
Oh my god, that’s going to be her legal name soon.
“Thanks for being here,” she says. “It wouldn’t be the same without your pretty face in this room, Forker.”
I pat her back gently. “Wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
“When you think about it, you’re the reason we made it this far,” she tells me, unwinding her arms from my neck. She plants her hands on my shoulders and peers up at me, eyes still glassy. “If you hadn’t helped me with my big apology, I would have never found the nerve to show up in Pittsburgh that day.”
I shoot her a knowing look. One that I mean. “The universe couldn’t keep you two apart, Sweets.”
I just gave them both a little push.
“Give yourself some credit.”
It wasn’t a big deal. She texted me and pleaded with me to help her. I didn’t know her personally, but I knew her through Declan’s eyes, and I’d watched my boy fall apart over her for a solid year already. There was no way I was turning her down. At first, it was entirely for him. But then I met her, and I realized anything that’s about him is a little about her, too.
“Fine. I’m cupid. I expect you to mention me in your wedding speech.”
“You are.” She smiles, holding out her hand to examine her ring with a soft, teary smile. “And we will.”
“Auntie!”
Her niece barrels toward her again, hugging her legs. Sweets flashes me an apologetic smile, reaching down to show her the diamond for the third time.
Arden steps toward me, hand outstretched, and nods toward the inside of the house. She fans her face with her other hand. “Want to get some air?”
We refill on drinks and walk out onto the balcony. My eyes immediately skirt to the corner. Caulfield glancesover his shoulder. Saltzy leans forward against the railing, meets my eyes over Wyatt’s frame, and dips his chin.
That shit with Morgan re-enters my brain.
I give them a quick wave, but turn away. Give them privacy or whatever. I slide my hand to Arden’s back instead and guide her toward the patio furniture. When we sit, I resist the urge to pull her closer to me, even though the steady flow of drinks running through my veins and the love pouring through the house is making me want to do just that.
“It was so hot in there.”
“Mm.” I nod, staring out at the darkening sky, at the fairy lights lining the railing.
“You don’t have to sit out here with me if you don’t want to,” she says, leaning back against the couch as the chilly air hits her skin. “It’s just a bit overwhelming to be in a crowded room where I don’t know anyone.”
I look at her and my heart sinks. “Shit, Red.”
She rolls her head to look at me. “What?”
“I didn’t realize I was leaving you to the sharks in there. My bad.”
I’m a good social butterfly. I make friends everywhere I go. I refuse to feel uncomfortable in any room, so sometimes, I forget that not everyone has that ability. Arden, especially. She’s not the most social on a good day. I’m here with my friends and my teammates, and she only has me. I left her to fend for herself.
My score as a faux boyfriend has diminished by a few points.
