Page 63 of See My Words

Rylan felt a rush of love for him so strong it made him go weak in the knees. “I think you’re perfect just the way you are. You know that, right?”

Scott took a step closer and ran the backs of his fingers down Rylan’s cheek. “You almost make me believe it. I—” He broke off, quirking his lips. “Let’s go.”

Everyone welcomed Rylan back to the table with concerned questions and then expressions of relief when he assured them all was well, that he’d just felt a tad claustrophobic all of a sudden and needed a breath of fresh air.

Dawn playfully wrinkled her nose at him. “Well, I’ll be happy to move closer to Scott and give you a little more breathing room.”

Rylan smiled. “I know he wouldn’t mind.”

She did, and Scott put his arm along the back of her chair again, but he brushed his fingers over Rylan’s shoulder in a brief caress as he did so. Rylan sipped his mimosa and relaxed, listening to Scott completely charm and win over everyone who wandered into his orbit.

It was a masterful performance. Each person he was speaking to had his full attention, and he hung on every word like what was being said to him was the most important thing he’d ever heard. Even the owner of the restaurant, a middle-aged woman who merely came over to say hello, ended up grabbing a chair and staying for a cup of coffee. Rylan was both awed and amused when Scott skillfully led her into offering Brian and Julia a huge discount on a taco and margarita bar for twenty-five guests in the private dining room after the ceremony.

“Oh, this wedding is going to be perfect,” Julia exclaimed, her eyes shining with happy tears. “We’re so lucky to have run into all of you.”

Brian looked at his watch. “We need to get going,” he said regretfully. “Time to start picking people up at the airport and explain why we’re not getting married in a chapel, but outside next to a creek.”

Scott discreetly paid the brunch check, and when they all walked outside, Julia came over and wrapped her arms around Scott’s waist, hugging him tight. “Thank you so much. You really saved the day. There aren’t any words—”

He hugged her back. “My pleasure, hon. I’m glad I could help.”

She went into Minh’s arms next, and they clung together for a minute before pulling apart. “You’re the best,” she said to him. “The absolute fucking best.” Rylan snorted when Minh actually scuffed his toe on the ground, his face red with pleasure.

They walked them to their car, and Brian and Julia drove off with a wave and a honk of the horn. Julia stuck her head out the window. “Bye, Minh! See you at the hotel tomorrow at nine to do my hair!”

“I’ll be there with bells on, love,” Minh called back, blowing her a kiss.

Dawn took Scott’s arm and pressed against his side. “So,” she said brightly, “what’s the plan? If you guys wanna take off, I’ll totally see that Scott gets home.”

Scott smiled down at her. “Actually, I didn’t get to see much of the village before we ran into Brian and Julia. Rylan was telling me about one of the galleries earlier, so I was hoping to look around a little more before we head back.”

She nodded good-naturedly, and they ambled down the cobblestone streets as a group. Rylan tried not to feel like the ultimate fifth wheel, but it was hard not to, especially with Minh and Chris walking hand in hand and Dawn hanging on Scott’s arm like she was surgically attached.

He had to appreciate how Scott handled it, though. He talked and laughed with her but never singled her out for any special attention, and he gently but skillfully thwarted all of her attempts to get him alone.

“Where are you from, Scott?” she asked at one point. “I want to know everything about you. How about we go—”

Scott laughed. “Oh, no,” he said warmly. “Rylan and I have known each other forever. If you want the dirt, you’ll have to ask him. My lips are sealed.”

Rylan appreciated the way Scott managed to draw him into every conversation, never making him feel left out.

“Wow,” Minh muttered to him at one point when Chris and the other two disappeared into a coffee shop. “Girlfriend there is pretty determined.”

Rylan chuckled. “I know, right? Gotta admire someone who goes after what they want.”

“You’re pretty cool with it, though.” There was a faint questioning tone to Minh’s voice, and Rylan shrugged.

“I’ve had my moments,” he said drily. “That’s why I stormed out of the restaurant earlier, because it was getting to me. I’m definitely not perfect.”

They sat down on a shady bench to wait, and Minh patted his knee. “You’re cool as a cucumber, love. If it were me and somebody was going after my man—” He gave a growl.

“Watch out,” Rylan teased and then sighed. “I know that if I want to be with him, I’ll deal with this or something like it over and over because of his job. It’s just—” He bit his lip. “They look so beautiful together, Minh, both perfect tens. Me? I’m maybe a six on my best day.”

Minh gaped at him. “You can’t be serious with that bullshit. You’re adorable!”

Rylan leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thanks. You’re just saying that because you love me.”

“Exactly,” Minh exclaimed. “And you’re crazy if you think that man doesn’t worship the ground you walk on, because he totally does.”