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Emma’s eyes softened, and silence spread out between them. Because sometimes no matter how hard you tried, there wasn’t an easy answer.
This was one of those times.
* * *
Strands of twinkling lights hanging from the branches of the trees spread throughout the backyard, breaking up the dark night. The mountains that had been the view behind Brody and Faith when they’d said their vows were now mere shadows. Chase stood near the back door of his house, with more than fifty people enjoying the reception. From old high school friends, to Faith and Brody’s coworkers, to family, everyone who mattered to Brody and Faith was there, and Chase was glad for it.
With a long sip of his beer, he relished the cool, crisp ale, his gaze falling over the people at the fire pit. Emma and Shep stood with Nash and Megan, laughing about something, the glow of the big bonfire casting an orange hue over their faces. On the other side of the yard, by the oldest tree, was the speaker where the country music had kept people dancing for the last hour.
For a fast wedding, Chase thought the day had come together well.
He took another swig of his beer, standing in front of the long table that Harper had set up to provide food for the guests. At the far end of table was a standard nacho dip, tortilla chips, and other finger foods held in plastic containers. From the middle of the table to the other end was a spread that looked cut out from a food magazine. He picked up a piece of small bread with cut-up tomatoes on top and tossed the entire thing into his mouth. The flavor exploded against his tongue, spicy and fresh, and he moaned as he chewed, staring down at the thick wood platter full of meat, cheese, and fruit looking more like art than food.
“My cheese board cannot be that interesting.”
Chase swallowed the food in his mouth and turned, his breath catching at Harper’s beauty yet again. When he had first seen her today, walking toward Brody and him standing with the officiant, he had been dumbstruck by how gorgeous she looked. He had never seen Harper so fancy. Dark makeup surrounded her long, black eyelashes. Her hair was curled in big waves around her face, with the front pinned up with a diamond clip. But it was her dress that blew him away; the champagne-colored dress fit her perfectly in all the right places, and the neckline showed off enough cleavage to tempt him.
Regardless that he knew the danger it presented, he couldn’t help himself. He reached for her, pulling her in close, and her fruity scent infused the air. “Actually, your cheese board is interesting. I’m in awe of your talent.”
She gave him a cute smile. “It’s cheese, Chase.”
“Yes, I know it’s cheese, Harper.” He wrapped his arms around her, keeping her tight against him. “But it truly is incredible how amazing you can make cheese look.”
Her eyes crinkled, pink lips curved. “That’s part of the job, really. Sure, the food needs to taste incredible, but the presentation is half the battle.”
Sometimes, most times, she amazed him. He slid his knuckles across her jawline, consumed by the way her eyes twinkled. “Your talent never ceases to blow me away.”
She leaned into his touch, her eyes softening. “Thank you.” When he lowered his hand, she straightened then glanced about, obviously remembering they shouldn’t be touching each other.
He understood. Today was hard. Every time he saw her, he wanted to bring her close to him. He had been respectful of Brody, but now Brody was nowhere in sight. And sometimes a man had to do what a man had to do. Harper looked and smelled too good not to be in his arms.
He tugged her back against him, and she said, “I think everything went pretty good tonight. Don’t you?”
He nodded. “Faith and Brody seem very happy.” He scanned the area. Every single person had a beer or a glass in their hand. The people dancing near the speaker looked like they had nothing to lose.
A thud then a laugh had Chase glancing next to him. One of Brody’s coworkers had stumbled, falling to the ground in front of them. While he laughed, his girlfriend assisted him to his feet.
Chase grinned at Harper. “It looks like everyone is enjoying the booze too.”
Harper laughed. “Just a bit, it seems.”
Christ, he liked that smile, even more so when she had that playful edge. He wrapped an arm around her neck and kissed the top of her forehead. She stayed there in his arms, her hands on his chest. He enjoyed having her close, maybe far more than he should.
Things with Harper had developed naturally since she had come home from Denver. He hadn’t really thought of it before, but he liked having her in his arms like this in public. And when his gaze fell to Emma and Shep standing by the fire, looking right at him with huge smiles on their faces, he knew maybe he wasn’t the only one finally happy to see them together.
He sighed heavily. Tomorrow was too soon.
Either she felt his strain or heard his sigh, because she leaned away, lacing her hands around his neck. “Have I mentioned how handsome you look tonight?”
“Faith’s handiwork.” She had delivered new jeans and a black button-down to Chase this morning. He had done his part by styling his hair with some gel, making sure his beard was trimmed short. “Besides, you didn’t have to mention it to me. I saw how much you wanted me the second you saw me tonight.” He cupped her cheek, running his thumb across her jawline. “You hide nothing. Not your flushed cheeks. Your dark eyes. Your parted lips begging me to kiss you.” She leaned into him, offering things he wanted to take. “I see it all, Harper.”
So much so that he couldn’t stop leaning in and molding his mouth with hers. He cradled the warmth of her body with the strength of his, and she went soft beneath his touch.
“Enjoying yourself?”
Harper gasped against his mouth, attempting to step away. Chase tightened his fingers around her waist, keeping her in his arms. “We are enjoying the wedding,” he told Brody calmly, even if he knew that’s not what Brody meant. “It’s been a perfect night.” With Harper statue-still next to him, barely breathing, Chase thought it wise to add, “I was just complimenting Harper on her appetizers.” He knew Brody, as well as he knew Shep and Nash and himself, and he knew talking about Harper helping him would break through his tension. “Didn’t she do an amazing job?”
Brody glared at Chase, but none of that scowl showed on his expression when he glanced at Harper. “Yes, it’s all really amazing. Thanks again for bringing all this. It’s so good, Harper.”
