Page 168 of I Choose You

She grinned at me but seemed surprised. “Kaden, aren’t you needed?”

I grabbed her hand and she giggled as I coaxed her to run with me.

“Where are we going?”

I ran, and she hurried along with me.

Tristan stood out in one of the many halls inside. He frowned. “Aren’t they doing pictures?”

“We need a moment.”

He rolled his eyes and pointed at a door.

I grinned and opened it. A storage room. It’d do. I closed the door behind Brooke.

“What’s going on?”

I slammed my lips over hers, sating the burning need I had for her.

As we made out, I was careful not to ruin her makeup or her hair that she’d suffered through having styled. I ravished her, kissing her while keeping my hands mostly to myself.

I knew I wouldn’t have many chances to be alone with her once we started the marathon of pictures. Being best man wasn’t an idle gig.

Tell her.

But I couldn’t. Not yet. Just another taste. Another kiss.

She giggled, running her fingers down my cheek. “We have got to stop hooking up like this.” She contradicted her words by lightly stroking me. “You can’t have Kody trying to keep you in line now.”

I groaned and rested my brow against hers, hating that she was right.

She told me last night, and I believed her.

She wasn’t going anywhere.

I’d tell her the next time I could steal her away for a moment.

56

BROOKE

I’d always been a fan of weddings. The magic of the night. The food. The dancing. The overall bonhomie of friends and family members coming together to celebrate the joy of a couple in love. It was everyone’s ultimate goal. To find and celebrate love.

Now that I’d found mine, now that I’d taken the chance on Kaden and had found my love for him, this wedding seemed even more poignant.

The entire ceremony had gone smoothly.

Almost, I corrected myself as I sat next to Kaden at the head table. The reception was well underway, and I looked forward to it continuing. He hadn’t been able to take his eyes off me, forgetting to turn and face his dad and Margaux when they’d shared their vows. I giggled along with several others when he’d realized he was staring.

It was cute.

He was charming. And his fixation on me went a long way toward negating any chance of being overlooked or forgotten.

The venue was spectacular, with so many flowers and smart décor in every nook and cranny. From the outdoor tented area where the ceremony had taken place to the guesthouse where the pictures were taken, and in here, this enormous ballroom where we’d wine, dine, and dance the night away. Colette’s family manor was a grand masterpiece of a building, and I couldn’t help but feel like it was a fairytale getaway, removing us all from our ordinary lives to celebrate Mr. Wagner and Margaux starting their lives together.

They were such a lovely couple, all smiles and sweet looks just for each other.

As they stood up for their first dance, I sniffled, so overwhelmed by the perfection of it all. My heart could burst, it was so full.