Page 10 of In It to Win It

Wow.

3

JP

I catchTaylor’s eye and smile.

I’m standing once again in front of the arch overlooking the beach at the Shore. Father Vincent from my mom’s church is here, and Théo is next to me, all chill and happy now that his bride is standing next to him, looking beautiful in her wedding dress.

Taylor was the second bridesmaid to walk down the aisle, and she looked a little tense.

Jesus, I hope it’s not because of me. Last night was amazing. Things better not be awkward today. But weddings are stressful; that’s probably it.

She smiles back at me, her tense features relaxing.

Whew.

The bridesmaids’ dresses are sexy—fitted and strapless, which shows off Taylor’s great shoulders and toned arms. And her rack. She’s carrying a bouquet of bright flowers. As I watch her, she glances out at the guests with another tight expression.

Jesus. I should be paying attention to the ceremony, not thinking about the bridesmaid’s treasure chest. I’m such an ass.

For a while, I succeed at focusing on the wedding, but the next time I glance Taylor’s way, she’s watching me.Thatway . . . you know that way . . . remembering last night and all the dirty things we did to each other. I’m remembering how her cheeks flush pink when she comes. How sensitive her nipples are. How she . . .Stop.I’m getting a boner. Must stop thinking about naked Taylor coming on my face . . .

Maybe this wedding won’t be so bad. I may be a pariah to everyone in my family, but at least someone here likes me. Weddings are a big party, and I like to party. I’m going to have fun tonight, family be damned.

Before the fun parts though, there are a few obligations to get through—photographs, dinner, the speech I have to make. We pose on the beach, eat the amazing meal, and then I get up to the microphone at the end of the head table and set my phone on the podium so I can see the notes I made on it.

“Good evening, everyone! I trust you’re having a great night racking up the bar tab. Sorry about that, Mom and Dad.”

A ripple of laughter flows through the ballroom.

“And I know we’re all eager to get on with the evening, which means dancing and more trips to the bar.” I hold up my wineglass. “So don’t worry, my speech will be like a miniskirt: long enough to cover the essentials and short enough to hold your attention.” I grin as people laugh again.

“For those who may not know me, I’m Jean Paul Wynn, usually known as JP, and I’m Théo’s brother. Being Théo’s brother, I naturally have a lengthy list of blackmail-quality ammunition to talk about tonight. Don’t get scared, though, Théo; what happened in Finland stays in Finland.” I shoot him a grin and he shakes his head. The guests all laugh again.

“Technically, Lacey’s already a member of our family, but she’s abeautifulnew member of our family. You look stunning tonight, Lacey.” I pause. “So, too, do the bridesmaids. If any of you are interested, I can give you my number after this is over.”

I flash a flirty smile their way, but my eyes are on only one bridesmaid as everyone chuckles.

I turn my attention back to the guests. “When Théo and I were young, we did everything together. We were attached at the hip even when we were fighting, which was often, as our mother can attest, especially on the ice. It wasn’t a game unless we were trying to kick each other’s asses. But done with love, of course.” I smile. “Then when Théo went away to Moncton to play hockey, we were separated for the first time in our lives. And I was finally free.”

More laughter follows this.

“We all know Théo is incredibly smart, but I don’t know if any of you know the story about the time in university when Théo was writing a stats exam and he was completely hungover. Since it was a true/false test, he decided to flip a coin for the answers. At the end of the two-hour exam, he was still flipping his coin, flipping his coin, and the prof walked up and said, ‘Look, clearly you didn’t study for this test, if you’re just flipping a coin; what’s taking you so long?’ And Théo replied, ‘Shh, I’m checking my answers.’”

The crowd roars at that one, and Théo subtly flicks me his middle finger. The story’s not true, of course, but it’s so Théo.

“Seriously, Théo is a brilliant man who likes to thoroughly analyze all the data before making a decision. So now, let’s toast to the best decision Théo’s ever made—marrying Lacey. I wish you both a lifetime of love, happiness, and success.” I hold up my glass in a toast, and everyone follows suit.

Théo rises from his seat to hug me as I move away from the podium. “I really am honored to be doing this, bro,” I mutter to him, emotion rising in my chest.

He smacks my back.

Lacey too rises, and we embrace as well. “Welcome to the family, sis.”

“Thank you.”

I take my seat, again catching Taylor’s eye. She’s watching me, smiling, and I think she might be a little impressed with my speech. I lift my glass toward her and wink.

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