AllFreeNovel
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Many hours later,after a visit to the island's emergency room, X-rays of Lauren's leg, and the awkwardness of watching Remy flirt with a gorgeous doctor ten years older than him, I shut the door of Lauren's bedroom in her suite.
"She didn't wake, did she?" Max asks.
For a man who's only known Lauren for a single day, he seems exceptionally concerned about her well-being. Normally, I'd say something about how adorable this is, but exhaustion has seeped into my bones. The emotionalrollercoaster, the wedding planning, the ordeal of seeing Lauren in so much pain—it's left me physically spent.
I shake my head. "She's out cold."
Max runs a hand through his hair. I go over to Damien, who's sitting on the sofa. He pulls me onto his lap, and I curl into his body. Right now I don't want to think about what Lauren's broken ankle means for the wedding. Or for her future—it's not like she can romp around the world as a glamorous social media influencer with crutches. Since her Instagram account has taken off, Lauren's super self-conscious about her image, and I worry how this will affect her.
We'll deal with it tomorrow.
Max glances at us and sighs. "Hey, what's Lauren's phone number? I'll check in tomorrow morning."
I wearily recite it from memory. "She's up early."
"Good deal. So am I—I'm in the suite next door if you need anything. 'Night, you two lovebirds."
Damien and I mumble our goodbyes, and within minutes of the suite's door shutting, we both look at each other wearily.
"Why is your brother in a suite and not with your parents?"
Damien shrugs. "Something about wanting to be here at the resort and close to the renovations. He's a control freak. I also think he wants his privacy."
I mash my face into his neck and inhale his addictive scent.
"I'd better stay here with her tonight, in case she needs anything. She's not able to move hardly at all with that cast-boot thing on her leg."
"Gotcha. Lemme pull out the bed, girlie. C'mon, stand up for a few seconds." I stand and he gently swats my butt.
I squeak in sleepy protest.
"I can go sleep with Lauren, it's a big enough bed," I mumble. "You don't have to do that."
Damien, who's now standing, takes my chin between his finger and thumb, then tilts my head. His eyes are drooping from exhaustion, too, but he manages a little foxy smile.
"I do have to pull out the bed because I'm staying here, and you're sleeping next to me.”
damien
. . .
Somehow,the hours between the welcome dinner and now have gone by in a blur.
I've barely seen Kate, between her dress fittings and my brothers' insistence on taking me on an overnight fishing trip for the bachelor party and my parents' endless bar-b-cues for visiting family. She's also been busy with Lauren, and her high school friend Sadie, who's returned to the island in time for the wedding.
"So everyone can mingle, dear," Ma keeps saying while ruffling my hair.
All I want is to lie on a bed with Kate. Naked. Feel the cool breeze against my skin. Skim my hand over her curves. Press my nose into her hair and try to imprint her scent into my brain so it stays with me over the next year.
But first, the ceremony. We've gotta make this legit, and then she'll be mine for real. We're in one of the resort's rooms. It's us guys—my brothers and me and Dad. Ma's gone to help Kate get ready, so we five guys are knocking back a pre-ceremony drink together.
"You clean up real nice," Max says, clapping me on theback. "I didn't think you'd shave, but shit, you're full of surprises, aren't you?"
Tate is a Scotch aficionado, and he's brought an expensive bottle.
"To Damien," Tate says, raising his glass. "I'd always figured Max would be the first to get married, but it kinda makes sense that Damien's the most romantic of the bunch. Still waters run deep. Good on you, bro. And good luck. You and Kate are going to be great together."
We clink glasses and all take a gulp.
