Page 52 of Breaking Point

“Better hurry. Looks like the photographer is lining everyone up for last minute shots. Wouldn’t want to miss a photo-opp.” Olivia is all but calling her on her self-absorbed comment, and it’s hard to hide my smile.

With an all but subtle roll of her eyes, the woman struts away. Olivia lets the encounter roll off her shoulders, offering me a knowing smile as we follow the masses outside.

Moonlight casts a soft glow over the venue gardens, and under a twisting arch of flowers, an expensive car pulls up. A driver hops out to help the bride and groom into the back.

Just married,a sign reads.

Olivia stands on her toes to get a good look of the couple, leaning close enough that I get a hint of her citrus verbena perfume. The scent alone distracts me enough that when she nudges my chest, I almost miss the cannon of streamers that shoot off as the couple kisses.

“This is my favorite part,” she tells me quietly, clapping with everyone as the photographer flashes a couple of shots.

“The send off?” I quirk a brow brow. She smiles as the car pulls under the arch before driving away.

“People spend too much money on the wedding and the ring, in my opinion. The honeymoon, when you finally get to be alone? That’s where the money should be.”

I crack a smile. “Don’t you run aweddingplanning business?”

“And?” she retorts. “That just means I know how overpriced everything is when you slap the word ‘wedding’ on it.”

Fair.

Within moments, the excitement and the amour wear away. The music quiets inside and the guests begin to file downthe manicured lawn toward the parking lot as the wedding party files inside for cleanup.

Olivia offers a knowing grin as the same bridesmaid from earlier passes with a scowl. “This is my least favorite part.”

With that, Olivia switches into high-gear. She coaches everyone through cleaning like she’s done it a thousand times. She probably has. It’s less than an hour before the venue is cleared and the decor is neatly piled into vehicles and everyone is packed away with it.

Olivia yawns, frowning when she sees it’s three in the morning.

We’ve still got an hour drive back.

Taylor waits by his SUV as Liv and I stroll toward her car for the night.

“Do you think Lydia will still be up or are you planning on sneaking in?” she asks him, smiling lazily.

“Well, I hope she’s sleeping. If she’s awake right now, I’ll be worried.”

“That’s right. She’s got the babe to think about. Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl yet?”

He laughs happily. “A healthy baby girl if all allows.”

Olivia’s eyes widen, and she reaches up to hug him. “Congrats! I’m so damn happy for you.”

“Thank you. We’re really excited.” Something in my chest squeezes at the sight of him so happy. It’s a good thing. He’s been through a lot. He deserves it. “You better head back.” He releases her and waves at me. “I’ll see you at hand off.”

“Tomorrow,” I agree, and with a wave, Olivia smiles and pops the back door of her car.

“Warden, hate to leave you without company, but I’m going to pass out.” She yanks the door closed as I slide into the driver’s seat. “Back here,” she adds, and in the rear view mirror,I see her tug on the seatbelt so that she can lay flat, knees tucked under her.

I’m dead tired from all of the socializing- even if it was from a distance- and I’m content to drive us back in silence.

“What about you, Warden?” I abruptly hear. Slowly, sleepily, and with a small yawn, she sits upright to meet my eye. “Wedding or honeymoon?”

She’s referring to our conversation earlier, and I clear my throat before answering. “Can’t say I’ve thought about either.”

She giggles to herself at the thought. “I can’t imagine you married.”

That makes two of us.

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