Page 91 of Wedlocked

“Nothing wrong with a little quiet time,” Rory said. “Madison and Jamie snuck off for some of their own.”

“Would it be easier if I put the dress on?” Jess asked.

“Um, yeah. Then I can make sure the buttons are in the right place.”

“I’ll just go change,” Jess said, pointing to the ensuite and disappearing.

“I’m going to grab my camera,” Rory said, dashing from the room.

She was the one taking the photos for the wedding, but I wasn’t really sure why she needed it now.

That left me with Landry.

Let the awkwardness ensue.

“How was snowmobiling?” she asked.

I grinned. “Fun.”

“So you drove like crazy and gave my dad a heart attack,” she surmised, shaking her head.

“You know he likes it,” I teased.

Landry smiled. “He does. You’re really good for him, Bodhi.”

I expected banter. Some jokes. Not a suddenly sincere declaration.

I swallowed and nodded, unsure what to say.

“Thank you.”

My eyes whipped up to Emmett’s daughter. “What?”

She smiled again and closed the space between us. “Thank you for making him happy. For loving him.”

“H-he makes me happy too.”

“Can I hug you?” she asked.

Reluctantly, I nodded.

Her arms went around my shoulders, and she squeezed close. I hugged her back, staring at the windows but not seeing the view.

“You’re not bad… for a stepdad,” she said.

A laugh burst from me, releasing pressure I’d been holding in. “Better not let Rush hear you say that.”

She giggled and pulled away. “You’re good for him too.”

There was a sound of distress from the bathroom, and we both turned toward it.

“Ugh! I can’t believe it.”

“What’s the matter?” Landry rushed into the bathroom.

I hung back because I wasn’t sure if Jess was dressed.

Seconds later, Jess appeared in the doorway, a beautiful tulle and lace gown with a plunging neckline covering her tall frame. “I lost the buttons,” she announced, face falling. “I thought I had them, but now they just aren’t there.” She shook her head, eyes turning watery.

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