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Me: Did you bring the rings?
Spencer: Wait? I thought you were bringing the rings.
I know he’s just trying to rile me up. That’s what Spencer does best. He’s done it since the day we met freshman year at Clemson. How unlucky am I that my little sister met and fell in love with his best friend, Lincoln? Of all the men in the world, she had to fall in love with the best friend of my college rival.
Me: Spencer.
Spencer: I know you’re rolling your eyes at me right now, Charlie.
Spencer: That’s hot.
Me: Spencer!
Spencer: Chill, woman. I have the rings.
Me: Do you live your life to annoy me?
Spencer: You need to loosen up, Charlie.
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Damn, insufferable man. I don’t know how many times I’ve told him to call me Charlotte; he never listens. Only my friends call me Charlie. I don’t bother to reply, instead slipping my phone back into my purse.
Audrey gets us checked in and passes us our room cards. “So, we’re in a suite,” she explains. “I was thinking the three of us could be in one room and Amara and Lorelei in the other. Until I get married, of course, and I join my man in the honeymoon suite, which is where Linc will be staying, while the guys have a suite similar to ours. Just a two-bedroom instead of a three.”
The three of us head to our suite and start to get unpacked while we wait for the others to arrive. I’m thinking about a nap out on the beach when Audrey announces that everyone is here, well, everyone except for the groom. Apparently, Lincoln had a deal that he just had to close today and is driving down tomorrow.
Lincoln is a nice guy, but come on, who puts work before their wedding? This has been planned for months, and sure, I understand the concept of a big deal. My job is hectic right now as well, but I made it. I value my career. I busted my ass in college to get my degree, but there is nothing that would have stopped me from being here this weekend for my little sister.
Apparently, the groom doesn’t feel that way.
It’s just before nine when the five of us make our way to the restaurant at the resort, and I groan when I see Liam, Spencer, Tyler, and Jasper waiting at the entrance. “You didn’t tell me they were joining us,” I whisper-hiss to my sister.
She turns to glance at me over her shoulder. “They’re a part of the wedding party. Of course they’re joining us.” She gives me a bright smile and turns back to greet the guys. I’m standing right behind her with Adeline, Lorelei, and Amara behind me. So, once Audrey steps back, I’m greeted by Liam.
He’s such a sweet guy. “Hey, Charlie,” he greets me. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too, Liam.” I smile and return his quick hug. It’s hard to believe that he and Lincoln share the same DNA. They are polar opposites in every way.
“Charlie,” a deep masculine voice that sends tingles up my spine greets me. I don’t have to look to know it’s Spencer. I would recognize the deep timbre of his voice anywhere. I plaster a smile on my face and turn toward him.
“Spencer.”
I’m taken off guard when he leans in and presses his lips to my cheek. “Good to see you.”
I want to spout something like “Is it?” but I bite my tongue. I will not be the one to cause drama on the weekend of my baby sister’s wedding.
I move down the line and say hi to Tyler and Jasper, who are also friends of the missing groom, before stepping out of the way and allowing the others to say hello. Once the pleasantries are out of the way, we’re led to a large table in the back of the restaurant that will accommodate all of us.
I don’t know how it happens, I should have been paying better attention, but I end up sitting with Audrey on one side of Spencer and me on the other. In my head, I’m cursing fate like a sailor. On the outside, I remain calm and act as if the seating arrangement doesn’t annoy me. Hell, even Lorelei and Jasper aren’t sitting next to each other and they’re married. I can hardly complain.
“After all these years, I finally get to take you to dinner,” Spencer says, leaning over into my space. His lips are next to my ear, and his hot breath fans across my cheek. I will not admit to anyone that heat spreads to my core from his nearness.
“What are you talking about?” I do my best to remain aloof.
“Dinner tonight. It’s on the guys and me.”
“When was this decided?” My tone is clipped when it should be anything but. It’s actually a really sweet gesture, but I’ll never tell him that.
“A few days ago. It was supposed to be our congratulations to the happy couple.”
