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"You've done a great job."
And her job ended today, but I was nowhere near ready to stop seeing her. She smelled sweet and citrusy, like last night. And like last night, I wanted to pull her closer. Only I wouldn't let go of her now.
"Damn earrings," she muttered. One of her curls had entangled with her earring again, but I didn't trust myself to touch her with so many people around us.
"I'm going to the bathroom. I need a mirror to untangle this without pulling my hair out. See you around. I'll keep an eye on you during the speeches." Her warning was laced with humor. I took the bait.
"Or what, you'll bust my balls?" I challenged. On pure instinct, I moved a step closer, and Lori tugged at her bottom lip with her teeth.
She sounded breathless when she said, "You bet I will."
She turned around, and I watched her until she disappeared from view. I couldn't wait to be alone with her, to have her all to myself.
Chapter Thirteen
Lori
By the time the main course was being served, I couldn't feel my toes. I'd been on my feet for twelve hours, but the wedding wasn't going to be over for another five. At nine, I slid out of the tent to call Milo. Afterward, I took advantage of the fact I was alone and took my first mini-break, enjoying the cool, salty air. I'd snapped a photo of the wedding rings and sent it to my cousin Pippa. She called me a few seconds later.
"Hey! Thanks for the pic. I always like to see my creations out in the wild."
"They're beautiful. So, when can we expect the special collection?" My cousin had created a limited edition collection of engagement and wedding rings a few years ago, and it took off. Now they wanted to grow that segment to a permanent line.
"I'm thinking next year. We still have to finalize details and contracts."
"Can't wait. How are things in San Francisco?"
"Oh, you know. Sebastian and Logan try to boss us around. Emphasis on try," she said, referring to her older brothers. "Christopher and Max try to teach my girls every trick in the book."
I laughed, imagining how that went. There was a strong twin gene in our family. Christopher and Max Bennett were identical twins, and they'd used their likeness for many pranks as kids. It seemed common sense to teach Pippa's twin girls to do the same. I'd last seen the Bennett clan at Landon's wedding, and I missed them.
"So, business as usual," I concluded.
"Pretty much. By the way, I've heard interesting reports about a certain best man." I could hear the joy in Pippa's voice. I wondered which of my sisters had ratted me out.
"Pippa Bennett-Callahan! Are you prying?"
"Of course. And proudly owning up to it."
"Well, I'm working this wedding now, but I'll call you next week and fill you in."
"Okay."
As soon as I clicked off the phone, I realized the DJ was playing dance music, when my indications had been to switch to low-key chamber music while the guests ate. With a sigh, I headed back inside.
"Andrew, the guests are eating the main course," I said when I reached his booth.
"Sorry, Lori. I got carried away." He switched to a low-key tune. I headed to the bar next, in the far right corner of the room.
"Dylan, how is the ice supply?" I asked the bartender. We'd ordered enough ice for the entire event, but we only brought out one ice bag at a time, for cosmetic reasons.
"I still have some left. I think I'll need a new one in about twenty minutes."
"Why don't you go and get it now
while everyone is eating? I'll stay here in case anyone needs something."
He nodded and disappeared through the personnel door. We'd set up a lounge area in front of the bar, comprised of five leather chairs and a small coffee table in between. I sat on one of them and felt my skin prickle with awareness. Graham was watching me again; I was sure of it. I'd caught him looking at me often tonight.
