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Music filters through the speakers, and the DJ starts to announce the bridal party as they walk into the room. Jeffrey beams as he struts in with Penelope on his arm, and in that moment, I’m fucking jealous—jealous that I can’t walk around with her on my arm as well.
He spins her around as she laughs, and then they make their way over to the round table situated by the head table, where the bridal party will all sit together.
Nick and Noelle walk in next followed by Amelia and Ethan, and that same look I saw from Vince earlier with his wife is exactly the look Ethan is giving Amelia right now.
When a man falls, he falls hard, huh?
After Charlotte and Damien make their entrance, dinner is served. I take my seat with Hayden, Vince, and Justice, and we make small talk about the upcoming season with our tablemates before speeches and cake cutting commence.
And as usual, I watch Penelope charm her audience during her speech. She makes jokes, evokes emotion, and leaves everyone feeling the love that Charlotte and Damien have been blessed with.
“Some people find the person they’re supposed to be with early in life, and some have to wait until much later. You two proved that timing is everything. I can’t wait to watch you build a life together, and I’m honored that I get to be a part of it. To Charlotte and Damien!”
Everyone raises their glasses, and then the DJ turns up the music as the dance floor fills up.
I excuse myself to use the restroom before I run across the reception hall and shove my tongue into Penelope’s mouth. The urge to touch and kiss her is so strong, I don’t know if I’m going to be able to last all night without claiming her in front of everyone.
A voice behind me pulls me from my thoughts. “Maddox?”
I spin around to find Amelia chasing after me, moving as quickly as she can in her heels. I pause in the hall, waiting for her to catch up, and then look around to make sure we’re alone.
“Hey, Amelia.”
“You headed to the bathroom?”
“Yeah, that beer ran right through me.”
She chuckles. “The champagne is doing the same for me. Do you mind if I talk to you for a minute, though?”
“Uh, sure.”
We walk down the hall a bit before she pulls me off to the side and lowers her voice. “Don’t tell Penelope that we’re having this conversation, okay? She would kill me.”
I arch a brow at her. “Okay...”
“I know about you two.”
Now both of my brows lift. “You know what?”
She shoots me one of those looks that saysDon’t play stupid.“I know you’re seeing each other.”
“She told you?”
“I sort of pulled it out of her, but yes. Charlotte and Noelle don’t know, though, and neither do the guys.”
“What about Ethan?” I ask, thinking about how Vince told his wife about Penelope and me.
“Okay, Ethan knows, but I only told him last week.”
I scoff. “Nothing is a secret when you’re in a couple, is it?”
She chuckles. “Not really. But that’s why I want to talk to you.” She takes a deep breath. “I love my friend. God, do I love her, but she can be hardheaded—if you haven’t figured that out yet.”
“You don’t say?” I tease.
“But she likes you, Maddox. I can hear it in her voice when she speaks about you. The fact that she’s let you in this far, despite all of the obstacles you two face, is amazing.”
“I care about her, Amelia.”I’m fucking in love with her.
