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At my age, I certainly never saw myself with a twenty-six-year-old woman. Hell, I never saw myself married, or even dating, but when you know, you know. And with Grace, I know more than I ever have.
“You two are beautiful together. Thank you for taking care of her Arnie.” Grace’s mom hugs us both as we make our way down the aisle. It was awkward when Grace told her about the two of us, but I think her mom wants her to be happy above all else. Plus, I think she’s grateful that Jack is out of the picture. And though I didn’t have everything to do with it, she’s been very thankful to me like I did.
I hold tighter to Grace as we make our way to the end of the aisle and back into the quiet warmth of the cabin, excited for a second alone as husband and wife.
“I’m just leaving,” a tiny voice echoes from the living room. “I’m sorry. I snuck in here for a break and watched through the kitchen window.”
Grace and I turn to see her friend Poppy curled up on the couch flicking through her phone. “I really don’t want to go back out there. What do I have to do to stay here? Is there a price?”
“Why? What’s wrong?” Grace moves toward her friend, curling up on the couch next to her.
“Nothing.” Poppy grabs hold of a branch on the Christmas tree, touching the sharp pine. “Just admiring your tree.”
“You’re not just admiring the tree.” Grace laughs. “You’re sulking, and you smell like you’ve had too many mimosas. What’s wrong?”
“I’m not sulking!” Poppy snaps and stands from the couch. It’s obvious now that she’s had too many mimosas. “I’m gathering my thoughts before I go back into the party and try not to make an idiot out of myself.”
“Why would you make an idiot out of yourself?” Grace helps to steady her friend.
I join in. I don’t know much of Poppy other than what Grace told me, but by the sounds, she’s in love with her brother’s best friend and has been for a while.
“I asked if you wanted me to invite Bodie. You said it was fine. I thought you’d moved past him. You gave me this big spiel about how he wasn’t important and not even that hot…”
Her shoulders roll back. “Did you see him today?”
Graces brows narrow. “He was wearing flannel and jeans.”
Poppy’s tongue hangs out of her mouth. “I know! He’s never looked better! And nice. He’s so nice. He helped little old Mrs. Robinson up the hill, and he’s been—”
“Stop!” Grace holds her friend by her shoulders. “You have two choices. You tell him how you feel, or you let him go. Which one is it?”
“I let him go! He’s Wayne’s best friend. I’ve known him since I was a kid… and while I get the whole age gap thing works for you two, in reality, my family would have a fit. Wayne and I are so close. I can’t ruin my relationship with him.”
“Okay, so it’s over then, and you’re letting Bodie go.”
Poppy nods. “Yeah. Would it be weird if I headed out early? I know that’s totally selfish of me, but I don’t have anything left. If I make an idiot of myself with Bodie, I’ll die, and I feel a real idiot moment coming on.”
“You’re not selfish.” Grace takes her friend’s hand and leads her to the back room. “We’re going to spend the night down at the lodge, and you shouldn’t be driving. Why don’t you sleep in here? When you’re feeling better, you can take off.”
Poppy nods and snuggles into the bed, holding back tears.
If I hadn’t met Grace and fallen so deeply in love with her, I might think Poppy were dramatic, but I get it. If anyone were to try and take Grace from me, I’d be a mess.
Worse yet, if I’d fallen for her and I couldn’t have her, I’d be devastated.
Stepping out of the room, Grace and I head down the hall and back toward the front door. “Sorry about that. She’s normally not so unstable.”
“Ah, weddings are hard for people. It’s not easy seeing everything you want within reach, but you know you can’t have it.”
Grace nods and tips up onto her toes kissing the tip of my nose. “I’m so happy I found you, Arnie.”
“I’m not sure you found me, princess. I think I kidnapped you.”
She grins. “Would you do it again?”
I cup her face in my hand and lean into her lips. “No doubt about it. Next time, though, I think I’d use more ropes.”
“Ropes, huh? There’s an idea. Maybe tonight you can show me what that looks like.”
Pulling Grace into my arms, I kiss her forehead and close my eyes, my cock hard at the mere thought of tying her up and having my way with her. I don’t doubt that will ever change. In fact, if I have things my way, she’ll be tied up forever. In my arms, against my chest, in my heart… right where she belongs.
