Page 69 of Say Yes to the Hot Mess
It might be petty, considering I’m not even dating Dex, but then again, he told me himself he has no interest in Valencia. So…I don’t particularly feel bad.
Dex smirks like he knows what I was just thinking, sitting next to me and immediately reaching for my hand. I give it to him without second thought, threading my fingers through his; maybe it’s weird, but I actually like holding his hand. I would never tell him that, of course, because he would get smug about it, but it’s true.
The ceremony, in my opinion, is way too long. Corbin’s vows are reasonable in length, but his bride goes on and on, promising him the world and then some. It’s a nice sentiment, and she’s perfectly allowed to promise him anything she wants; I guess I’m just the kind of person who would rather make my vows in private. I’m not sure I’d want everyone else to hear them.
It’s possible that I get a little misty-eyed when the officiant starts talking about the couple’s future, specifically their family, because I can tell that both of them are excited for that day to come, and it makes me miss Archer. I discreetly pull my phone from my purse and send a text to Frank, asking for a picture. Then I slip my phone back in my bag, staring down Valencia when she has the nerve to give me a judgmental look.
That woman.
When it finally becomes apparent that the ceremony is winding down, I relax a little, slouching in my seat. Then, because I’m tired and because I just plain old feel like it, I rest my head on Dex’s shoulder. He doesn’t say anything—merely gives my hand a little squeeze. I squeeze his back, hoping to convey that I’m grateful for how he’s stood by me today and yesterday when it would have been easy to go with his mother’s plans and schemes. He smiles over at me, and I think maybe he understands.
* * *
The reception takesplace in the resort’s restaurant. Except this evening it looks different—they’ve cleared out at least half of the tables and made room for a small dance floor. The wedding party is seated at a long table on a dais at the head of the room, and there’s a buffet full of fancy, inedible finger foods, much of it seafood. Oysters and shrimp and something vaguely resembling onion rings that I almost put on my plate until Dex tells me it’s squid.
I stick to the desserts after that.
We head to our designated table together, both of our plates laden with cheesecake squares and chocolate-covered strawberries. I’m pleased to see that while Valencia is seated with us, Dex’s mother is not, and we’re far from the only people at the table. Even better, the place bearing Valencia’s name card is empty.
“My uncles, aunts, and cousins,” Dex says in my ear when I give a subtle head nod to the rest of the table.
“Got it,” I say, sitting down.
I pull out my phone once I’m seated, something I’ve been doing roughly every thirty minutes since Archer is with Uncle Frank. There are no new calls or messages though, and I’m about to put it back in my purse when I remember that Kingston messaged me earlier, and I never responded. I told him Dex was driving me nuts, and he asked what I meant.
My thumb hovers over the message as I bite my lip, thinking. I sweep my gaze around the table, but everyone is involved in lively conversation except for Dex and I. He’s just paying quiet attention to the talking.
What do I do? Do I tell Kingston about my weird feelings for Dex? Especially since I kind of have a thing for Kingston too?
I sigh. The reality is, I’m probably never going to meet Kingston. I love the way I can talk to him, never worrying that he’s going to judge me. But Dex is here and now, and I could really use a male perspective. So I open the chat, skimming over our last few messages to make sure I’m caught up.
Me:Okay I know it’s stupid and the kind of thing you read about in romance novels, but I’m basically his fake girlfriend for the weekend
Me:His mom wants him to get married and have babies, so I went with him to this wedding to get her to chill.
Me:Which she did not, by the way. That woman has NO chill whatsoever.
Kingston:And the guy? Is he still driving you nuts?
Me:Kind of, except…in a different way.
Kingston:Care to elaborate?
“Yes,” I say under my breath. “I guess so.” Then I begin typing.
Me:So I guess I’m just confused, and it’s complicated. I think I might have feelings for him? MAYBE. And just baby feelings. A little crush.
I hit send before I can second guess myself. Then I glance around to make sure no one is watching me text instead of participating in the conversation, but all I see is Dex pulling his phone out from inside his suit coat. That’s a relief at least; I’m not the only one eschewing socialization in favor of my phone.
I look back down at my phone in my lap. And because there’s more I want to add, I start another message.
Me:And I guess I’m not sure what to do. I don’t know if I want to pursue anything with him, or anyone for that matter. You know I said I’ve sworn off men. And what would I do, anyway? Just go up and kiss him right on the lips?
Me:Because confession: I definitely dreamed about kissing him last night.
From next to me, Dex makes some sort of spluttering, choking noise, and the whole table looks at him.
“You alive over there?” I say, raising my eyebrows.
