Page 44 of Always a Bridesmaid

Jake held up a hand in surrender. “Got that memo. I was talking about Elle. Unless, of course, you’re going to take some action and ask her.”

If today’s game worked that way, he’d have already been over there. But sadly, his sister liked to play things by chance. So the sorting hat would determine his destiny. Plus, partnering with Elle would mean being close enough to touch her and that would be as discreet as a cat burglar trying to rob a museum in the light of day.

Instead of explaining the rules, he said, “Don’t even fucking think about it.”

“Glad you’re not a cliché, bro.”

“Who’s up for some croquet madness?” Sarah said to the group. She was wearing a white shirt that saidBride,with a veil on her head. Next to her stood Wayne in all black, with the wordGroomwritten in white across his chest. As he’d been over the past few days, he was holding Sarah’s hand in support while giving her the floor.

It had Henry questioning his initial reaction to the bloke. The longer he was around the couple, the clearer it became how madly in love they were. And Wayne hadn’t asked for a single thing, surprising Henry by picking up the tab for many of the meals they’d shared as a group.

“In this hat are the boys’ names written on pieces of paper. It will be ladies’ draw for partners,” Sarah announced. “Of course, Wayne and I will be on the same team because this is my wedding and I make the rules.”

Everyone laughed, but there was one laugh that he zeroed in on—Elle’s. It was low and throaty, and even from across the lawn it had enough punch to wrap around him and nearly take him out at the knees.

“So, ladies, come on up.”

Henry turned his body toward his sister, but his eyes tracked Elle the entire way as she walked from the lawn to the top step of the back patio, her hips swaying in a hypnotic rhythm. She was dressed in a pair of fitted black pants, knee-high boots thathugged her calves, and a pretty blue sweater that had a hard time staying on her shoulder. Her hair was loose today, playing in the gentle breeze and making his fingers twitch with the need to wind themselves around the red mass of waves.

Camilla was the first to pick and her eyes lit when she said, “Enzo. You’re with me!”

Henry didn’t have to send Enzo threatening older brother glares because his friend already knew she was off-limits, but he did anyway. Habits were hard to break.

Next up was Elle. She’d done her best to not look at him, but when she stuck her hand in and pulled out her paper, her eyes flicked to him. Not enough to where others would notice, but he did.

She’d pulled his name. He knew it by the look and now by the way she was worrying her lower lip in consideration—weighing her options, figuring out how she was going to play this.

All Henry could think about was how he was the luckiest bloke on the field because he was going to get to spend the next hour brushing up against, secretly touching, and softly whispering naughty things in Elle’s ear without anyone being the wiser. He was going to push all her buttons—the ones that set her off and turned her on. And he couldn’t wait.

“Who’s the lucky guy?” Wayne asked.

Elle looked up and with a bright smile that set off his inner alarm, she said, “Jake.”

Before Henry could call bullshit and demand to see her paper, she refolded it and shoved it back in the hat.

“Oh, Elle, here,” Sarah jumped in. “We need to take that out so Jake isn’t drawn again.” Sarah fished in the hat for the right paper and removed it from the drawing.

“What was that sleight of hand?” Henry asked, and Elle’s face went red with guilt.

“I’m sorry, what?” she asked.

“The paper. You put it back before we could confirm you were telling the truth.”

“Henry,” Mum scolded.

“She’s telling the truth,” Sarah lied, and he knew it was a lie because his sister couldn’t meet his gaze.

“Jesus, man,” Jake whispered. “You need some serious pointers on how to land a woman.”

“Afraid you’ll lose, Hank?” Elle goaded.

“To two Americans? Not on your life.”

“Then shut up and let’s play.”

Henry shut up, long enough for the rest of the people to partner up, then he casually made his way over to Elle. “Jake, huh? Funny, I could’ve sworn your hand hesitated a bit there, love.”

“What did you want me to do? Spend the next hour playing with your balls?”

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