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Max eased his expression before turning to her. “Nothing. I’m going up to my room. Can’t wait to see you in your dress tomorrow.”
She sighed. “Before you go, will you take some pictures with me? Me and Tim?”
I was relieved Kate was including him in some way. It couldn’t be easy for her to keep her parents and brother separate from each other while still trying to ensure they all felt included in her special weekend.
His smile was tight, but he nodded. “Of course.”
After a few pictures, none of which included his parents, Max seemed to relax. Next up were more photos with the bridal party. By the time we were done, I was stifling a yawn. No wonder, since I hadn’t gotten a lot of sleep last night. Nor would I get a lot tonight. The thought had me anxious to get upstairs.
“What’s up with you and my brother?” Kate asked after the last snap.
I wasn’t sure I cared for her judgmental tone. “What do you mean?”
“I mean the way you guys came down in the elevator earlier, and he switched your seats at the table?”
“We caught the same elevator going down to the restaurant with four other people, and he switched seats with me because he knew sitting next to Shawn would be uncomfortable for me.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I think you need to be nicer to Shawn.”
“Believe me when I say I’m plenty nice.” She was the bride, and as her maid of honor, I was intent she had a great weekend. But frankly, Shawn had grown more aggressive, and I wouldn’t suck it up just to save her feelings. After the wedding, there’d be an uncomfortable conversation in which she’d hear everything about Shawn, including my discovery she’d confided my secret to him.
“I don’t understand what happened. He’s a catch.”
She made it sound as though I couldn’t do better. “Kate, let’s not get into it this weekend. You have enough tension going on in your family. You don’t need to add into the mix a couple who went out on three whole dates. Okay?”
She expelled a long breath. “Okay. Yeah. Sorry, my dad is being an asshole, and my mom was crying earlier because seeing Max has been tough on her. Maybe I shouldn’t have invited my brother to the wedding.”
My temper threatened, but I reeled it in. “It’s been tough on Max too, but I’m sure it would’ve been harder if you hadn’t wanted him here.”
“Perhaps. Any chance you can help with the wedding favors tonight? I mean you weren’t around for any of the other prep, so it would be nice if you pitched in.”
Again, I had to bite my tongue. She acted as though I hadn’t done a thing for her shower six weeks ago when I’d taken a bus here. As for her bachelorette party in New York City, I’d be paying off the credit cards I’d used to fund it for months. But the biggest bummer was I didn’t get to escape to my room. “Of course. Happy to help.”
By the time I was done tying little bows around boxes of mints and sticking on a pretty label with the couple’s name on them, it was late, and I was beat.
Yet the moment I walked in the hotel room door and spotted Max, my libido woke right up. He was lying against the headboard, shirtless and in flannel pajama bottoms.
“Hi,” I greeted, slipping off one shoe at a time.
He was nursing a glass of amber liquid. “Hi. How were the bridal duties?”
“Tomorrow when you see your little box of mints by your table placement, look very impressed by the craftmanship in the tied bow.”
He chuckled, set his drink by the bed and crossed the room toward me. Tipping my chin up, he rubbed his thumb along my cheek. “You look exhausted.”
“My face isn’t actively reflecting what the rest of my body is thinking.”
Again with the dimpled grin. Dropping his lips to mine, he pressed a chaste kiss against them.
“More, please.”
“You need your rest.”
“I really don’t. I have a confession.”
His brow jumped up. “Oh, yeah? Do I need to build another pillow wall to hear it?”
“Nope. This one I’ll tell you without the pillows. I’ve been thinking about you all day.”
