Page 48 of Branded

“I like the sound of that.”

“So let’s take a few minutes to change or freshen up, then we can go explore the grounds and I can introduce you to everyone. How does that sound?”

“It sounds like the start of an amazing weekend.”

Chapter 13

Isaac

Sawyerhashititoff with every single person I have introduced her to this evening at the rehearsal dinner. She hasn’t met a stranger and is so kind and able to contribute to every conversation without it feeling forced or awkward.

She looks beautiful in her flowy dress with sunflowers all over it beneath the orange glow the evening brings over the hills. I’ve never experienced time with a woman that’s this easy. There’s no pressure, no expectation—it’s just us—going with the flow.

I’m watching her from the bar, which I’m currently leaning against, while she chats it up with Mrs. Leonard, Christopher’s mother, at a standing table just across the courtyard. I watch the way she engages animatedly, using her hands to talk, which I’ve picked up on recently. If her hands were tied behind her back, she likely couldn’t speak at all.

“She’s a pretty one, Isaac.”

I look to my right as Christopher leans against the bar next to me.

“Ah, the groom himself.” I hold up my glass and he clinks his against it. “This turned out really nice, man.”

“I didn’t have a thing to do with it. Danielle asked if she, her sister, and mom could handle it all. All I said was, ‘Yes dear.’”

“Learning early.” I turn my attention back on Sawyer because let’s face it; I’m drawn to her.

“So tell me about this one. I didn’t get a chance to properly speak with her earlier like I wish I would have been able to.”

I can’t help but laugh at him. “It’s fucking hilarious to hear you speak so properly. Too much time in the Hills with the rich and famous.”

Christopher is one of my oldest friends. I’ve known him since we were in high school, and he’s always had my back. He comes from one hell of a rough upbringing, but you wouldn’t know that looking at him now.

He’s one of the most successful attorneys in the Los Angeles area and he is marrying a woman who is beautiful, successful in her own right, and keeps him on his toes. I’d say he’s done pretty well for himself.

“Man, fuck off.” He laughs and shoves me a bit. “Seriously, though, tell me about her. I’ve caught you staring a time or two.”

“Well, I met her at the Harvest Festival. We quite literally ran into each other when she was coming out of the bathroom.”

I run through the CliffsNotes of our short time together. Christopher listens closely and doesn’t give me shit like the other guys, not at first at least. I finish my story with a sip of my scotch. “So that’s the long and short of it. We have fun together, so we are just… riding that wave.”

“Do you often ride that wave with that look on your face?” He uses his glass to gesture at my head.

“What are you talking about?”

“Dude, you’re staring at her like she hung the moon. Like there is no one else you’d rather be looking at right now.” He laughs. “It’s a look I know all too well because I wear it often. Just don’t tell Danielle that. She’d use it to her advantage.”

I shrug it off because that is the typical Isaac thing to do. “Nah, I don’t think it’s like that. Is it? I’ve known her a little over a month. I hardly know her at all.”

Even as I say those words, I know they are hollow. A lather, rinse, repeat habit I have formed over the years and the many casual relationships I dropped before they could bloom into more.

“Since when does that matter? I knew I wanted more with Danielle on the first date. Fifteen minutes in.”

“Bullshit. That’s not possible.”

“Man, anything is possible when the right woman is involved.”

We both turn when we hear his bride-to-be calling for him from across the way.

“You better go. Wouldn’t want to upset the bride. I’ll see you in there in a little bit.”

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