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CHAPTERSIX
With his speechbehind him and the reception in full swing, Sebastian pulled Kayla into his arms, turning her slowly on the dance floor as the band played a cover of Adele’s “All I Ask.” His speech had gone well, despite his nerves, garnering a few laughs at Lucian’s expense, some heartfelt awws, and a few tears at the end. Lauren had serenaded the couple for their first dance as husband and wife, taking to the stage to perform a cover of the Christina Perri song, “A Thousand Years,” which had had everyone in tears. Hell, even his own eyes had been stinging, partly out of sheer happiness for Lucian and Olivia, and partly due to the weight of what he was about to do.
He still couldn’t quite believe what Olivia had suggested, but he hadn’t been able to say no. Not only because he knew well and good that no one said no to the bride on her wedding day, but because it was a fantastic idea. He’d gone back to Max’s to grab the ring, and it sat against his thigh, a reassuring, promising weight. He felt guilty that he’d gone this long without asking her; that he’d given her any reason whatsoever to question that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. But he knew he had. She’d been a little quiet for the past few days, and he had a feeling it was because being at yet another wedding without a ring on her finger was making her wonder if he was ever going to propose.
She wouldn’t have to wonder anymore after tonight, thanks to Olivia’s kindness.
Kayla ran her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck and kissed him on the cheek. “Where did you go just now?”
“What do you mean?”
“You completely zoned out. You had the same look you used to get when we were stuck in a meeting with Mr. Stammler and he didn’t know when to wrap things up.”
He chuckled, pulling her closer as they moved in time to the music. He’d never get enough of the way her curves yielded to him, as though she were made just for him. As though she couldn’t possibly fit with anyone else. And soon, she’d know just how true that was.
“God, that feels like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it?” he asked, shaking his head.
She nodded. “A lot’s changed in just a few years.” She blew out a breath, and he could tell she was holding something back. Editing herself in a way she almost never did around him. As on edge as he was with the proposal looming, he could tell she was on edge, too.
“Are you still thinking about the other night?” he asked, lifting a hand and skating his knuckles across her cheekbone. Her eyes met his and she shook her head.
“No. I’m okay. Although I don’t think I’ll feel fully at ease until we get back to Lake Tahoe where there aren’t any vigilantes or mobsters or whatever.”
“No. Just pine trees and mountains. Nothing that could possibly hurt us.”
“Well, there are bears. We can’t forget about the bears.” She wrinkled her nose playfully. “But I’ll take bears over scary guys with guns any day of the week.”
“Me, too, baby. It’s been nice to be back in town, but you’re right. Lake Tahoe is home now.”
“It is.”
“A place where we can start our future and raise a family.”
At his words she stiffened in his arms, just for a moment. And then she smiled, big and bright. “I agree.”
Sebastian spun them on the dance floor and made eye contact with Olivia, who winked at him and mouthed one single word as she danced with her father.
Soon.
Sebastian nodded subtly, imprinting all of this on his memory. The last moments before he asked Kayla to become his wife. They danced, they snacked on mini quesadillas and sliders from the buffet, laughed and talked with family, and watched Lucian and Olivia cut their wedding cake. Then Lucian and Olivia appeared in the middle of the dance floor, Olivia sitting on a chair while Lucian’s upper body disappeared beneath her dress. He emerged a moment later with her lacy garter between his teeth, Olivia’s cheeks a little pink, her eyes bright.
All of the single men—including Sebastian—gathered around, but Sebastian hung back, knowing that his big moment was just around the corner. He slipped his hand into his pocket and curled his fingers around the ring box. He rubbed his other hand over the back of his neck, blowing out a shaky breath as he tried to rein in the adrenaline surging through him.
On the count of three, Lucian flung the garter into the group of men, the scrap of lace flying through the air. It arced high and then came almost straight down, falling right into Noah’s outstretched hand. Everyone cheered, and he shot Felicity a sheepish grin as he tucked the garter into his pocket. Levi slapped Noah on the back and said something that made him both laugh and shake his head. Before the rest of the men had cleared away, Noah had already banded his arms around Felicity’s waist, lifting her off the ground and kissing her thoroughly, eliciting another round of cheers from everyone.
“And now it’s time for the bouquet toss,” said one of the band members, who was also serving as an MC of sorts. “All single ladies, report to the dance floor.”
Sebastian’s stomach bottomed out, and he nodded at Olivia. She winked at him one last time, and he moved into position.
* * *
Kayla sighed as she pushed to her feet, keenly aware that she was the only single woman dating one of the Prescott brothers. Thankfully, Felicity and Madison came up with her, along with Hudson’s friend Violet. All of Olivia’s bridesmaids were also in the group of women, and relief trickled through her. At least she wouldn’t be singled out—no pun intended.
“Move up front,” said Whitney. She grabbed Kayla’s elbow and maneuvered her toward the front of the group. “Because, um, you’re so short.” The other bridesmaids all made eye contact with each other, some kind of unspoken communication passing between them.
“Sure, whatever,” said Kayla, knowing that they probably just didn’t want anyone obstructed for the photographs. Olivia stood in the center of the dance floor, a cheeky grin on her face as she held a smaller version of her bouquet high over her head.
“Ready?” she asked, waggling it around in the air. “1…2…3…”
