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“Now that you have Zoey, Chris, and a baby on the way, now you have everything, and I couldn’t be happier for you. I love you, man.”
I raised my glass high and looked out at the guests.
“To the bride and groom,” to which they all responded with the same.
Gabe stood and pulled me in for a hug.
“Love you too, Rear,” he said in my arm, and I used my free hand to pat him on the back.
Ready to have the focus off of me, I leaned down to one of the cowbells that had Ring for a Kiss painted on them and gave it a pull, much to the delight of the other guests.
Gabe obliged by bending down to his bride and cupping her cheeks in his hands before kissing her soundly on the lips.
Everyone cheered, and I sat with relief, happy that my moment was done and I could now focus on the goodness that came next. Namely, cake, shots, and Chloe.
I leaned forward and looked passed Gabe and Zoey to where Chloe was sitting, and smiled when I saw her looking back at me. She raised her glass and gave me a thumbs up, her grin lighting up her face.
She was absolutely stunning.
When I first saw her walking down the aisle, I’d fought the urge to shove Gabe out of the way and offer myself at the altar to her.
I downed my champagne, then turned the glass upside down with a frown and jerked my thumb toward the bar, asking her if she wanted to go get a drink.
She nodded and started to rise, and I did the same. We went opposite ways, then I rounded the table, weaving through some of the guests. I had to stop to say hello to a few random family members, looking up to flash a finger at Chloe to let her know I’d just be a minute before I could make my way to her side of the barn.
“Hi,” I said, realizing that other than the few seconds it had taken us to walk side by side down the aisle after the ceremony, this was the first time we were close enough to actually speak to each other.
“Hi, yourself,” she said sunnily, causing me to grin back at her.
“Champagne smile?” I asked.
“Oh, yeah,” Chloe replied. “Great speech by the way.”
“Thanks,” I said, turning and offering her my elbow. “I’m glad it’s over.”
“Really, why?”
“Well, I’m hoping to get to spend the rest of the evening with the most beautiful woman in the barn, other than the bride of course.”
“Of course. What will you do
with her?”
“Eat some cake, do a couple shots, and dance until our feet ache,” I started, then leaned in so only she could hear me and added, “And maybe do some necking behind the barn.”
Laughter erupted out of Chloe as she turned to me, eyes shining and said, “Well, I’m down for the dancing, and definitely the cake … I may be persuaded to do some necking, if the right guy asks, but as for the shots,” she shook her head and said, “I don’t know, I’m kind of a lightweight.”
“Perfect,” I said as we approached the bar. Then I told the bartender, “Two shots of Cuervo, please.”
Chapter Twenty-Four ~Chloe
“Oh God,” I moaned, the light sound of my whisper reverberating within my head as if I’d shouted at the top of my lungs.
Everything hurts.
I attempted to open my eyes, cracking them slightly, then slamming them shut when the bright morning light threatened to blind me. My stomach clenched uncomfortably, and I worried I’d throw up, which would only result in my throbbing head hurting more, if that was even possible.
How much did I drink last night?
