He gets me.
She was so delighted she let out an audible sigh.
Wait. She needed to give her boyfriend credit. Wait.WasLeo her boyfriend? Maybe he was. She couldn’t quite recall, but nevertheless, he was soooo generous, and she was such a lucky girl, like everyone liked to remind her.
Leo isn’t as handsome as Reece.
Stop comparing them!
Leo. The guy you like is Leo.The man with a voice as smooth and seductive as bourbon butter. The man I share a fledgling … whatever this is between us. Affair? Tryst? Opportunistic lust-quench fest? Not love, though maybe it can stutter its way there.
Yes, she planned to enjoy every minute of the billionaire’s attention. Her ego certainly needed the lift, especially after enduring years of Reece Hunnicutt looking past her, through her, everywhere butather. Unlike the hungry look he had given her when they’d posed for pictures.
The preacher saved her from indulging in more incoherent thoughts. “I could pretend my name is Elvis.” He flashed them a cheesy smile. “But it’ll cost extra.” Eyes as beady and dark as black beans scanned them from behind thick, shaded lenses.
They all laughed at that, but she didn’t see any humor in it. Reece, stalwart that he was, simply stared dumbly at the man. Yep, he totally got her.
Noah shook his head. “No, we’ll stick with Elvin, as long as you can marry us. Legally.” His tuxedo was looking a bit disheveled, and Hailey took up a stance in front of him and began fumbling with his jacket and tie.
“So which of you is the lucky couple?”
Neve pointed at Hailey. “The one in the ivory dress. And the guy she’s petting.”
Elvin gave Neve a tight smile before turning to Noah and Hailey. “Ah. Well, rest assured, I have all the credentials required to marry you. I’m an ordained minister.” He pointed vaguely toward some framed certificates to one side of a fake fireplace covered in even faker greenery.
Charlie looked down at Joy and grinned. “He’s an ordained minister. He has credentials.” To Elvin, Charlie said, “How do you feel about twofers?”
The minister’s mouth split in a wide smile. “We love twofers.”
Charlie shifted his attention to the bride and groom. “Would you be upset if we horned in on your big day?”
Noah glanced at Hailey, who bounced in place. “Not at all! The more, the merrier.”
“And we can remind each other about our anniversaries,” Noah chipped in.
Charlie wrapped his arm around Joy’s shoulder. “It’s a twofer, we’re all dressed up, and Noah and Hailey are on board with us sharing their big day. What do you say, princess?”
Joy gasped—happy gasp or shocked gasp, Neve couldn’t tell—and everyone exploded in laughter. Elvin and Purple Dress clapped—probably because they saw the potential dollars in a doubled fee.
Charlie dropped to one knee and took Joy’s hand in his. “I hadn’t planned it this way, but the moment seems right, and when in Rome …”
Joy covered her mouth, but a squeal or three managed to escape. “You mean, when in Vegas. And yes, why the hell not? I love you, Charlie Hunnicutt!”
God, drunk or not, this was getting weird. Neve exchanged glances with Reece, whose eyebrows disappeared under his hairline. Yeah, hethought it was strange too. They were on the same wavelength. Simpatico. They were yinning and yanging on their own little Reality Island.
“Are we in the Twilight Zone?” she hissed.
Reece nodded. “Yeah, pretty sure that’s where we’ve landed.”
Charlie jumped to his feet. “I’ve always dreamed my girl would respond to my marriage proposal with, ‘Why the hell not?’” He patted his coat pockets. “Shit. I need a ring.”
Elvin gave them a gotcha smile, like a wolf leading Little Red into his lair. “The jewelry store next door has a lovely selection. I’m sure Alma can help you find something special for your lady there. But first, a toast!”
Champagne appeared out of nowhere. Neve was suddenly thirsty, and she chugged it down, letting the bubbles tickle her parched throat.
Alma, aka Purple Dress, cocked her finger. “Right this way.”
Champagne glasses in hand, Charlie and Joy fell in behind the woman while Noah and Hailey followed. Neve grabbed Reece’s bicep—ooh, it felt like steel, even through the tux sleeve!—and rose up on the balls of her feet. He leaned down, and she whispered, “What do you want to bet Elvin and Alma own that jewelry store?”
