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"Love you, too, Ma."
She turns and leaves the room, leaving the door open behind her. Zara peers in, Summer next to her. "Ready to do this?"
27
Liam
I’m not ready for this. It may have started off as fake, but after last night, I’m not so sure anymore. I haven’t shared that part of my past with anyone, but something about her invited me to confide in her. I followed my instincts and poured my guts out to her. To her credit, she didn’t seem disgusted. If anything, the empathy in her eyes was my undoing. I told her everything about the time I’d been held captive. And afterwards, I felt strangely lighter. I wasn’t lying to her when I said this would affect how we could be together.
Something shifted between us last night. It started with the sex two nights ago—which was earth shattering. I’ve never felt this close to a woman, this connected during the act, and for that reason, I haven’t actually come inside her yet.
Considering we parted on not so good terms after, I didn’t expect to spend another night with her. Certainly not one in which I’d share so much with her. But my instinct led me to confide, so I didn’t stop myself. We’ve turned a corner. We’ve reached a space where I’ve never been with anyone else. Question is, what am I going to do about it?
"How you doin’, bro?" Weston, who’s also my best man, slaps my shoulder.
Why does my brother always sound like a player in an American sitcom, despite his British accent?
"You hangin’ in there? Soon you’ll be a married man, and your nerves will be a thing of the past." He smirks.
"I don’t get nervous,brother." I run my fingers under my collar.
"So why are you sweating?"
"I’m not sweating." I pull out my handkerchief and mop my forehead.
He arches an eyebrow, but mercifully, stays quiet.
"Here." Hunter, my other groomsman, pulls out a flask of whiskey and hands it over. I accept it gratefully, and chug a few mouthfuls. The liquor burns a path down my throat and sets off an explosion of heat in my stomach. Hunter offers it to Weston—who refuses—then takes a mouthful himself.
"Interestingyoufelt the need for sustenance." I smirk at him. "Does it have anything to do with a certain dark-haired bridesmaid who’s sending you death threats with her eyes?"
Hunter arches a shoulder. "No idea who you’re talking about."
"Ahhhh…" Weston makes a satisfied noise. "So, Hunter and Zara—"
"Nothing. Hunter and Zara, nothing." Hunter scowls at me. "Now you’ve done it. Once this wanker" —he stabs his finger in Weston’s direction— "gets an idea into his head about a possible match for one of us unmarried folk, he doesn’t let go of it." He pockets his flask and widens his stance. "Why don’t you married folks let us bachelors enjoy our single status? I’m on my own and extremely happy about it."
Weston opens his mouth again, and Hunter raises his hand. "No, really. I am not interested in the ball and chain anytime soon. I have a campaign to run, which leaves me no time for any relationship.”
"Think about how your candidacy would benefit with a girlfriend or wife on your arm. Also, it’s because she doesn’t hesitate to go toe-to-toe with you that you’re so evenly matched. Bet she’ll take you down a peg or two and teach you the meaning of love."
"Love?" He blinks. "How the hell did this conversation turn toward love?"
"We’re at a wedding ceremony. Logically, thoughts of love and happily-ever-after are all that anyone here should be talking about," Sinclair, my third groomsman points out.
"Not everyone," Hunter scoffs. "Also, FYI, you don’t need to be in love to get married."
Weston’s gaze widens. "Do you actually believe that?"
"Ask your brother."
Weston turns to me. "Go on then, brother of mine, tell him he’s wrong. Tell asswipe here you love your wife-to-be, and that’s why you’re marrying her."
I purse my lips. "So this is what happens to alphaholes when they get married? They lose their balls?"
"Don’t change the topic." Weston narrows his gaze. "Unless—" He scans my features and understanding dawns on his own. "You poor, poor man. So that’s what this is about. Is that why Lila left you—because you didn’t love her?"
I stay quiet.
