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Jack had been holding the extra camera equipment, but his gaze was on his date for the night and the shot glass being passed around. “Does this happen a lot?”
Not for her. “I don’t do that many weddings, but this is the first wedding where everyone in the entourage started the party before they’ve even left the church.”
“I’ve partied hard at many a wedding, but not usually this soon.”
Siobhan chuckled. “I remember.”
A crease between Jack’s brows deepened.
“Chase’s wedding?” she reminded him. “You, Kyle, and a bunch of your friends had Chase up on a chair and were carrying him around the hall while singing the Aggie fight song.”
A lazy smile replaced the frown. “Oh, yeah. That was fun.”
Siobhan shook her head. CJ had thrown a fit when she saw what the rowdy guy pals were doing, but it was the Governor who, with a single tap of his cane on the floor and the words, “We would prefer the groom in one piece for his honeymoon,” had the group setting the groom back on the floor.
“Does look like someone needs to corral the bridal party or they’ll miss the real fun.” Jack sighed. “I’ll see you at the reception.”
Siobhan nodded, studying him as he walked away. How long had it been since she’d seen him? With her brothers married off one by one, Jack wasn’t around as much. And who was his date? Connie seemed to be more interested in partying with her friends than hanging with her date. Interesting. For her, Jack had always been like an extra brother, and she was more than happy for the help, date or no date.
Her equipment loaded in the car, she hurried to the reception. She’d be expected to take photos of the bride and groom outside of the historical venue in front of their rented white Bentley before the grand entrance.
A few minutes later, she’d pulled up to the reception hall and to her surprise, Jack and Connie were out front with the bride and groom, waiting for her. Once again, Jack was helping carry things about. This reception phase of the wedding would be so much easier. No more staged photos, it would just be Siobhan, her camera and her lenses, running from one end of the hall to the other.
“I’ve got it from here.” She hefted a smaller camera bag over her shoulder as the bride and groom made their way into the waiting room.
“You sure?” Jack raised a single brow.
“I’m sure.” Maybe.
The next couple of hours whizzed by. Every so often, she’d glance up and see Jack and Connie dancing, but mostly, Connie seemed to be dancing and laughing with her friends, a glass of champagne in hand, while Jack sat at the table chatting with another of the plus-ones.
The cake cut and the clock ticking, the party was winding down and Siobhan was more than ready to call it a night. Hefting the larger camera bag over her shoulder, she blew out a slow breath. Just a little while longer and she could make a nice cup of tea and crawl into bed.
“Need anything else?” Jack’s deep timbre drifted over her shoulder.
Had his voice always been so…soothing? “Actually, can I use your muscles one more time?”
His brows rose high on his forehead.
Just like earlier when he’d said he was all hers, she realized she could have found a less suggestive way of asking for his help. “I only need my one camera for the last shots of the night, but I’d like to load most of my equipment in my car so I can just head out when we’re finished. You could save me a few trips if you don’t mind helping me lug the rest of this gear to my car.”
“Your wish is my command, Siobhan.”
In half the time it would have taken her, he lifted all her spare equipment into his arms and turned toward the parking lot. Tossing a pleasant grin in her direction, he started walking. The one small bag on her shoulder, it suddenly hit her that staring at the man’s posterior was so not appropriate. After all, he was like a brother. Wasn’t he?
Jack really wished he could have offered to take Siobhan home. He didn’t like the idea of the kid driving all the way to the ranch at this hour, but Connie was his responsibility and if he didn’t get her out of here soon, he was going to be carrying his plus-one out of the place.
After he’d finished loading the photography gear in Siobhan’s car and returned to the reception, it took a few minutes to spot his date for the night. Once again, Connie stood at the bar, dancing in place, with a fresh drink in her hand. The woman was going to have one hell of a hangover tomorrow, but at least she’d had a good time tonight. He put his hands on her shoulder and turned her away from the bar. “Time to go home.”
“But the party isn’t over.”
Thankfully, the slurred words had no sooner left her mouth than the DJ announced for everyone to line up outside and bid the happy newlyweds bon voyage. Dancing her way more than walking, moving forward was slow going.
By the time they gathered her purse and shawl, and he’d wrestled the half-full glass of wine out of her hand, the bride and groom were driving away and the guests were dispersing. They meandered through the parking lot while Jack kept a tight grip on her arm.
“It was a nice wedding,” she practically cooed, zig zagging beside him.
“Very nice.” He tugged her closer in an effort to keep her from wandering off, relieved to finally make it to his car. Hitting the fob to unlock the passenger side, he held the door open. “Climb in.”
