Page 158 of Sour Notes

Why can’t we just stay here in our bubble forever?

Turning, I wrap my arms around his neck, dislodging his collar and exposing a bruise. Softly stroking the skin with my thumb, I look up at Swayze.

“Shit, did I do this to you?”

“You did. Lucky I’m not the one in the dress, huh?” His lips quirk in amusement.

“I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” My cheeks burn with fire. I can’t believe I did that after warning him not to bite me.

“I did. Well, I came in you, if we’re being specific… it’s all good. I love having my girl’s mark on me.”

He presses his lips to mine just as the room phone rings.

“Fucking phone,” he groans against my lips before stepping back to answer it.

I sneak glances while he talks to, I’m assuming, my mom, trying to figure out how this man who’s always been in my life, all of a sudden seems like so much more.

“It's time, Angel. You ready?”

Walking back down the aisle on Swayze’s arm after seeing my twin marry the love of his life has me all kinds of emotional. The ceremony was beautiful, taking place on the black sand beach. We’ll be heading back to the hotel for the reception by the pool after the photos are done.

“Mimi, Swayze. Get over here.” Nick beckons us over for another photo because the thirty or so we’ve posed for so far isn’t enough.

“We want a few just the four of us, then the photographer is gonna take a couple of just the two of you,” he says with a grin.

“Wait, why just the two of us?” I stare at Nick perplexed. I’ve not been a bridesmaid all that often, but I’m pretty sure it’s not normal to have photos of just the best man and the bridesmaid alone.

“That’s my idea! I want to make sure you’ve got a nice photo of the two of you to announce your engagement. You can thank me later,” Layla chimes in with a mischievous giggle.

Swayze barks out a laugh, shaking his head. “Take a few on this for me too, would you?” He unlocks his phone and tosses it to Nick before pulling me under his arm.

“Maybe I should surprise the hell outta them and drop down on one knee for the photo.” His eyes dance so I know he’s joking, but I don’t miss the way my heart just skipped a beat.

What the hell am I doing? I’ve barely gotten my head around the idea that maybe I’d consider trying something real with Swayze… not that he’s even asked me. We’ve both stayed well away from the topic of going home and what comes after. My heart shouldn’t be skipping a beat in happiness at the idea of him proposing to me for fuck’s sake.

Maybe I need a dose of Dr. Reality Check.

I pose on autopilot, smiling for the camera while my head spirals with questions about what comes after.

Would he even want something more? Do I? Am I brave enough to ask?

Could anything work back in the real world, when we're surrounded by women who all want a piece of Deputy Heartthrob?

“You okay?” Swayze whispers into my ear as we pose together, much like we were in front of the mirror earlier.

“All good.” I tilt my head up to him with a big smile, the photographer shouting compliments in Greek about what a beautiful couple we make. After he takes a bunch more photos of the two of us, which I’m not gonna lie start to get a little much, we rejoin the group and make our way back to our little paradise hotel ready to party.

We walk out to the main pool and I gasp, the view stealing my breath. It’s been transformed into a dreamlike paradise framed by the Aegean Sea beyond. Everywhere I look candles flicker in lanterns, giving the space a warm, romantic glow. Swaths of white flowers trail over the walls and tables while striking pink flowers dance over the surface of the infinity pool. They’ve thought of everything.

“Wow, this looks incredible.” I murmur up at Swayze curling my fingers into his shirt.

“I know.” He’s quick to respond, but with his gaze locked on me, I don’t think he’s referring to the view at all. His hand cups my face, tilting it back to kiss me softly before resting his forehead on mine.

Closing my eyes I melt onto his chest, breathing him in while I listen to his heartbeat. I’m so content I don’t know how long we stand here before Nick walks up behind us and smacks him on the shoulder. “Time to eat something other than my sister, Wolff.”

With a scowl, Swayze steps back, resting a hand on the bare small of my back, guiding us to our seats.

They’ve set a long banquet table for the bridal party, and thank fuck, Pete’s seated nowhere near us.