Page 16 of With Every Breath

“Yep.” Dex grinned as he parked and pointed to the door of the church. “How do you feel about weddings?”

“We’re going to a wedding?” My mouth dropped open in surprise. “Who gets married on New Year’s Eve?” Dex climbed out of the car and jogged around to my door.

He offered me a hand to climb out. “My cousin, apparently.”

“Wait! I’m meeting your family tonight?” I started to pull away. This was way more than what I’d signed up for.

“This is why I didn’t tell you.” He wrapped his arm around my waist, and pulled me into his side.

“I wouldn’t have come,” I whispered.

“I know.” He chuckled. “I know you better than you think.” He began guiding us to the front door. “You play in front of thousands for games. This should be a cake walk.”

“I can’t see their faces. I don’t know what they’re thinking. This is so not the same thing.” I shot him a warning glare.

“What if I told you that you could make me do something that you wanna do for our next date?” He then pressed a light kiss to my cheek. His lips were soft, and I felt like melting against him. I tuned out the fact that he tricked me into this, and starting planning how I’d get him back. Yes, it was true, he did know me pretty well. Since meeting him, I’ve shared a lot of secrets, but not my deepest one. He’s shared secrets with me, and now I’m thinking I might need to use that knowledge to my advantage.

ooooooooo

Dex

The entire ride to Bailey’s apartment I was second-guessing myself. I had a feeling that tricking her into this date was going to blow up in my face, but she’s been taking it well. She looks smoking hot in that dress, and those shoes make her look like she’s got legs for days. I just want to touch her, and I’ve found every reason to do just that. A shoulder graze here, and a hand on her lower back there. It’s taking more restraint than I ever thought I possessed.

The ceremony went by in a blur. My cousin Andrew and his bride, Everleigh, said their vows and exchanged rings. After everyone filed out of the church, we made the quick drive to the reception. Now, I’m sitting at a table doing everything I can to control my urges while we wait for dinner to be served.

“I’ll be right back.” Bailey leaned in next to me. I need to use the ladies’ room.” I nodded as she stood up, and placed the napkin from her lap onto her empty plate. I watched her walk away swaying her hips. She didn’t look back, but I knew that she knew I was watching. I glanced around to see if anyone else was looking. After all, she was beautiful, and any man in the room would have to be blind not to see her.

By the time she returned, the servers were beginning to present guests with their dinners. I was starving, and when the steak was set in front of me, I couldn’t help but almost drool. Bailey sat down just as she was presented with chicken. “I wasn’t sure what you’d want when I replied with a plus one on the invite, so I picked chicken. I can trade with you though if you’d rather have the steak.” I didn’t really want to, but it was the gentlemanly thing to do.

“Chicken’s fine.” She smiled as she lifted her silverware and began cutting her meat. “You seem like more of a steak guy anyway.” She laughed lightly as she took a bite.

“I am.” I sighed as I took a bite myself. We ate quietly, just watching the guests around us. Bailey didn’t seem as nervous as she did when we arrived at the church, and now that we were eating, I was more relaxed, too.

ooooooooo

Bailey

Dinner was delicious, and now the party was really getting started. The DJ had asked everyone to come to the dance floor, and as he turned the music up, the lights went down, and colored strobe lights began flashing. Most of the men had discarded their jackets, and the women had slipped out of their shoes. It was turning into the New Year’s celebration that I’d thought we were attending. Servers meandered through the crowd with trays of drinks. I’d had a few glasses of wine already, and was in my happy place.

“I want you to meet my mom.” Dex leaned in, almost having to shout in my ear.

“Now?” I jerked back.

“She’s going to love you.” He reached for my hand, and when I didn’t pull away from him, he linked our fingers. He led me over to a table in the back. A woman wearing a navy and gold evening gown was happily chatting away with some other women. I assumed they were all family. “Mom—” Dex greeted the woman as he wrapped his arm around me “—this is Bailey. Bailey, this is my mom, Julia.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” I smiled and before I could react, she stood and hugged me.

“It’s nice to meet you, too. These are my sisters, Anna, and Lisa.” She motioned to the group she was sitting with. Looking at them now, I could see the family resemblance.

“Bailey plays on the soccer team,” Dex volunteered.

“I know who she is,” his Aunt Lisa added.

“Sorry. I forgot you follow all that stuff.” Dex chuckled.

“She’s a beauty,” his mom added. “You should go dance.”

“Would you like to?” Dex smiled at me, and held his hand out.

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