Page 40 of You, Me, and Forever

“Why is that?”

“Because my daughter learned at a young age to guard her heart, unfortunately. She’s tough, and she won’t tell you if she’s hurting even if she is. I probably did a shit job of teaching her that it’s okay to tell someone you’re sad or angry, but I’ve never been real good at it either. Montana likes to fix things, not the other way around.”

I nodded. I understood it. “I think you’ve done a damn good job.”

The music changed, and Daniel called out to Hank. “I’m going to go watch these kids get married. You hold down the fort?”

“Yes, sir. I’ve got it,” his sous chef said.

“Come on, St. James. Let’s go see my girl shine.”

And I followed him out to the outdoor area, just in time to see Susannah walk down the aisle.

Montana was in full work mode, speaking quietly into her microphone at the end of the aisle, where she’d just sent the bride down.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Her long dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail that swung down her back. She was wearing a floral sundress that hugged her curves on top with a flowy skirt that came down to her ankles. I noted the cowboy boots as she strode off to the side of the aisle, her eyes on Susannah.

My eyes on her.

But mine weren’t the only eyes on her.

I looked up to see the man standing beside Jesse at the other end of the aisle.

The man she’d dated for years who was now engaged to another woman.

I didn’t know if she was there, because if she was—he wasn’t watching her.

His eyes weren’t on his best friend, or the bride who’d just made her way down the aisle.

They were on the same woman I was watching.

My hands fisted at my side.

Protective and feral in a way I’d never experienced.

He must have felt it, because his head turned slowly, and his gaze locked with mine.

That’s right, motherfucker. You’re not the only one who wants her.

Chapter ElevenMontana

Things had gone off without a hitch, unless you counted the fact that Susannah had snapped the heel on her shoe right after she walked back down the aisle with Jesse.

Luckily, we always kept unopened slippers nearby, and she was able to wear those while we repaired her heel with the E6000 glue I kept in my belt bag.

At the moment, the biggest issue was the maid of honor, Larsa, who was three sheets to Drunkville. Violet was trying to sober her up behind a tree, insisting she drink some water.

I’d enjoyed every minute of watching them say their vows at this particular location, because I knew all weddings moving forward would be different. It would be a new place, and a different vibe. I’d made peace with it.

I hadn’t been bothered the few times I’d looked up to see Phillip watching me. Oddly enough, I’d been more flustered by the new owner of the inn, whose gaze had locked with mine multiple times during the ceremony.

Maybe it was because we’d formed a friendship.

Maybe it was because I still couldn’t get the one night we’d spent together out of my mind. Even if we hadn’t had intercourse, it was the most memorable sexual experience of my life to date.

It didn’t matter, because for whatever reason, having him here comforted me in a way that I couldn’t begin to explain.

The wedding party had been called over. I was standing on the perimeter of the tent, speaking to Violet in the mic, when I saw Phillip walking my way. Angel was beside him, and my shoulders tensed. I told Violet to hold off on appetizers until everyone had their first cocktail in hand and then turned my attention to the couple standing in front of me now.

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