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As we approach the boat, Griffin reaches for my hand, his strong grip a steadying presence as we walk along the unstable dock. I try not to jolt with the sudden contact. The way his warm, slightly rough skin feels against mine. You could super glue our hands together and I don’t think I’d ever get used to the sensation of his palm on mine.
I sneak a glance at his profile. My pulse skyrockets. It’s the same reaction I had when I saw him dressed and waiting for me in my parents’ living room. I should have been prepared for it, I saw him in it at the tux shop, but paired with a smooth jaw and his thick waves, effortlessly styled, it was a solid punch to the ovaries.
We’re welcomed aboard and offered a signature cocktail before being shown to the upper deck. With glasses in hand, we make our way through the crowd. On the far side of the deck, we find Chloe and Barrett, chatting with Carl and Lindsay. Carl is Barrett’s friend and the in-house attorney for St. Clair Media, Barrett’s company. Lindsay and Carl have been dating for a few years.
As we approach, there’s a nervous pit in my stomach. Griffin squeezes my hand as if he knows that’s the exact moment I need support. I realize then, my nerves aren’t because I’m afraid we won’t be able to pull off this charade. Griffin and I have been inseparable this week, working to learn everything about each other and to define who we are as a couple. And now IlikeGriffin. It feels good to admit it. It doesn’t really mean anything, other than its good news my husband isn’t an asshole. It would be horrifying to find out I don’t even like the guy. What it really means is I care whether he fits in with my friends. I want them to like him, but most of all I want him to like them.
The moment we step up to the group, all eyes are on us.
“Hi! Everyone, this is Griffin.” With one arm around his back, I pat his chest lovingly with my hand. “My husband.”
Even in my nervous state, my body registers the feel of his muscular body beneath my palm. And when Griffin’s left arm brackets around my lower back, tucking me into his side, his hand splayed out over my hip and ass, a zing of awareness settles between my thighs.
The guys shake hands, and individual introductions are made.
“You look stunning.” Chloe embraces me. “I love your dress.”
“Thank you. You look gorgeous. You’re glowing.”
“Oh, I just tried out a spray tan. Does it look okay?” she asks.
“Yes, you look great.”
“I want to have a little color for the wedding so there’s enough contrast with the dress.” She holds out her arms to examine the skin there. “Barrett’s not a fan.”
Barrett shrugs. “I like your natural skin color. The way it flushes when you get embarrassed,” he lowers his voice to Chloe’s ear, but his deep baritone makes it possible to still hear him when he whispers, “or turned on.”
I watch Chloe’s cheeks flush pink.
“Don’t worry, she’s still got it,” Lindsay points out, making it clear that the entire group just heard him.
Carl addresses Griffin. “I heard you’re a fellow lawyer.”
“I graduated UNLV last year, and I’m waiting for my bar results. I took it in February.”
“That’s cool. UNLV is a tough program,” Carl says. “Lots of complexities with the Nevada laws. But I guess you won’t be dealing with those here in New York.”
Carl’s assumption that Griffin will be moving to the city now that we’re married is expected, but as planned, we don’t elaborate on what exactly he plans to do for a job.
“You are planning to move here, right?” Chloe looks to me. “You’re not moving to Las Vegas, are you?”
I shake my head. “No plans for me to move.”
Hunter joins our group and introduces everyone to his date, Natasha.
I’ve known Hunter for years and have yet to see the same woman on his arm more than once, but I always give my best effort to get to know them in case he changes his bachelor ways and decides to settle down. It just takes the right one. Like Chloe was the one to pull my grumpy cousin out of his workaholic ways.
With introductions over, and the group appearing to welcome Griffin whole heartedly, I start to relax.
An hour later, I’m feeling at ease chatting with the ladies while Griffin talks with the guys. The only disappointment is that the pink fruity cocktail I was drinking is gone.
I lift my empty glass to my friends. “I’m going to grab another drink. Anyone want anything?”
“I’ll take a refresher.” Chloe nods to her champagne glass. “Do you want me to go with you?”
She’s in the middle of talking about wedding details with Lindsay and Natasha, so I wave her off.
“I’ve got it.”
