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And maybe it's just that I got to be a part of their big day, but I'm actually feeling kind of romantic myself.
Or...I don't know, maybe I'm just old.
We go through with the whole ceremony--the vows, the crying, the toast. After that, we have to take pictures while everyone else parties. Weddings are fun and all, but not so much when you're in the wedding party, and I'm almost ready to call it quits by the time I finally make it to the reception.
Until I see something interesting in the crowd.
Birdie fucking Hart.
She's dressed to kill in a pink mini-dress, her legs long and lithe, her feet in a pair of glittering silver heels. I lean against the bar with a cold beer in my hand, watching her dance.
She's gorgeous.
Free.
I don't think she's seen me yet, because she doesn't look quite as vicious as she did in our interview the other morning. She's hunched over slightly so she can hold hands with her little niece, who giggles as Birdie sweeps the girl up in her arms. It's like...wholesomeis the only word to describe it.
It makes me feel things.
Weird things.
"What are you looking at?"
I glance over to find the groom, Finn, suddenly standing at my side. I look over my other shoulder and his wife is there, both their arms crossed as they look out at the dancefloor with me.
"Well, if it isn't the bride and groom!" I say with a grin. "Shouldn't you guys be off dancing or something?"
"We promised we would be your wingmen, so here we are," Jenny laughs.
I chuckle and take a sip of my beer. "Well, in that case, have you seen that blonde bombshell over there?" I nod my head towards Birdie.
Finn's eyebrows shoot up. "Uh...yeah," he says. "That's Jake Hart's sister."
"I know who she is," I say with a smirk. "She's doing a piece on me for some paper down in Portland. Took her out for breakfast to answer some questions the other morning."
Jenny grins wickedly. "Ooh, someone's got a crush."
"Shut up," I scoff. "I'm just...admiring from afar."
"Why afar?" Jenny asks.
"Because hisotherbest friend--not us--is Jake Hart," Finn says. "And I don't know if Jake would be thrilled at the prospect of Johnny dating his sister."
"Plus, she's a reporter," I add. "Hooking up with pretty blonde reporters is normally abignope."
Finn and Jenny exchange a look, and Jenny elbows me playfully in the ribs. "You're not getting any younger, Johnny," she says. "Maybe it's time to take some risks."
I roll my eyes. "It's not about age, Jen. It's about not wanting to cause any drama."
"Suit yourself," Finn says with a shrug. "But if you change your mind, we'll be right here to cheer you on."
They both wander off to dance, leaving me alone at the bar with my thoughts. It's true that I'm not getting any younger, but I'm not sure that means I'm ready to start taking risks, either.
Especially not when it comes to someone like Birdie Hart.
She's smart, beautiful, and way out of my league. And while I can't deny that there's a certain chemistry between us, I'm not sure if it's worth risking everything for.
But then I catch her eye across the room and the decision is made for me...because she heads inmydirection.
