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“Just in time,” a gorgeous brunette interrupted, approaching us. She was wearing a floor-length dark blue silk dress, but I still spotted her shoes. If I wasn’t mistaken, those were Louboutins.
“My sister, Hailey. Hailey, this is Paige,” Will said.
Hailey kissed my cheek. “Pleasure to meet you. Will’s announcement caused quite a stir. We’ll have to wait until he’s not around before I start dishing dirt about him, or he’ll fight me on every word.”
I didn’t think I’d ever liked anyone instantly the way I liked Hailey. I loved everything from her impeccable shoe choice to her humor.
“I’ll make sure to take notes,” I replied. Will glared at his sister.
“Can you at least wait until after the ceremony to give me shit?”
Hailey chuckled. “Absolutely not. Wait until the rest—oh, look, here’s Jace.”
I jerked my head back when Jace climbed the stairs.
“Jace Connor, the soccer god, is your brother?” I whispered.
Will nodded, watching me intently.
“And this must be the lovely Paige,” Jace said when he reached us. He flashed a smile that bore a little resemblance to Will’s, then shook my hand.
“Dad used to take us kids to the Lords’ games. Obviously you weren’t on the team then, but I’m a Lords fan through and through.”
Jace grinned, looking between me and Will. “Brother, if she’s a Lords fan, you’ve hit the jackpot.”
“Oh, he selected me based on that criteria.” I was fighting to keep a straight face.
Another woman joined us. She was a little taller than Hailey. Her dark brown hair was tied up in an elegant bun, and her deep green dress matched her eyes. “Okay, Lori is in the car. Will, you should wait at the foot of the staircase. Graham is already inside. And you must be Paige. I’m Valentina, but everyone calls me Val. We should all go inside, except Will.”
Will was giving his sister away? He hadn’t mentioned that. I said goodbye to Will, then walked inside with Val and Hailey, sitting with them. I saved the seat next to me for Will. When he stepped inside the church with the bride, I saw yet another side of him. Pure emotion was reflected on his features, and he kissed his sister’s forehead before stepping away from her and the groom. He sat next to me, and on pure impulse, I wrapped an arm around his. He stiffened at first, as if he hadn’t been expecting it, but then he squeezed it lightly.
After the ceremony, a photographer took group pictures in front of the church.
While we waited for the cars that would take us to the restaurant, I was introduced to Landon, the oldest brother, and his wife, Maddie. Landon was carrying a toddler who seemed intent on performing gymnastics in her father’s arms. Jace rode with Landon and Maddie. Will and I slid into the next available car with Val and Hailey. Because Will was a mountain of a man, we asked him to sit in the front while we girls crammed in the back, careful not to sit on each other’s dresses.
“I think Landon’s a bit jealous that Lori wanted you to give her away,” Val said as the car lurched forward.
“Well, Landon can walk Val and me,” Hailey said.
Val waved her hand. “Speak for yourself, sis. My chances at spinsterhood are looking better and better.”
“Ah, this is the second wedding in the family, right?” I asked.
Val nodded. “If you don’t count our extended family, yes.”
I patted her shoulder, then held up three fingers. “Three in mine already. One brother, two sisters. Just putting it out there, bu
t by the third one, you’ll be wondering if it’s time for life-altering choices.”
The girls laughed, then Val took out a mirror, and each of us checked our makeup. When the car came to a stop, Will opened the door, and all three of us filtered out.
“What’s that smile about?” he asked me.
“I’m glad I’m here. This is a fun day.”
The restaurant was in a renovated Victorian house, on the ground level. The space outside had also been decorated for the wedding, with tall white bar tables where one could relax with a drink. I was happy the reception was taking place inside though, where there was air-conditioning. Two hostesses were directing the guests around. I became acutely aware that Will’s hand was on my lower back. I looked up. Will’s gaze was on my lips. Heat coiled low in my belly, at the tips of my breasts. Holy shit.
“Paige, you look incredible.” He was so close. And he sounded... delicious.
