Page 57 of Giddy-Up
She nodded into him.“Don’t hurt me,” she whispered.
“Never,” he growled before capturing her lips.
God, she hoped he was telling the truth.
***
One month into beingWade Evans’s girlfriend and Riley was more confident than ever.One month ago, standing in Zach and Libby Evans’s backyard for a group barbecue would have brought her out in hives, but here she stood, huddled with women she had fallen in love with.
“I can’t believe you’re going to be Mrs Hulk in less than six weeks!”Cat teased as she clinked hips with Rachel.
“Can you stop calling him the hulk!”Rachel playfully smacked her friend.“He’s not green and his clothes don’t tear off when he’s angry.Well...”she giggled, “not all the time anyway.”
“Talking of the wedding,” Libby interjected, before Cat could make the dirty joke she was dying to make.“Have you asked Riley yet?”
Asked me what?
Rachel beamed as she turned to Riley.“No.I was waiting until after her menu tasting, but seeing as that’s tomorrow, there’s no time like the present.”Seriously, asked me what?“I’d really like it, no, scrap that, I wouldloveit, if you would do me the honor of being one of my bridesmaids.”
Riley’s jaw dropped open.Had she just heard the woman right?
“What?”she uttered.Her brain unsure she heard correctly.
“I know we haven’t known each other that long,” Rachel continued, “but with all the time we’ve been spending together, I feel like we’ve just gotten so close, and now I can’t imagine you not being a part of my wedding.Say you’ll do it?”
They had been spending a lot of time together.It was true.Rachel had been helping her with the creation of the ranch menu.And between cooking and eating not just the food she’d made but also the woman’s delicious desserts, they’d got to know each other.Riley had told her all about her very sheltered childhood, her anxiety in social situations and her severe lack of friendships.And in turn, Rachel had told her all about her tumultuous past which included an abusive father, his gambling debts and how the combination of the two ended up getting her now fiancé shot.
“Yes,” she breathed as tears pricked her eyes.“I would love to.If you’re sure?”
Libby, Cat, Bella and Rachel all jumped in excitement.With cheers ringing around the small garden.It was enough to catch the attention of the men, who were now wandering over.
“What’s going on?”Wade was the first to get there, his arm wrapping around Riley’s shoulders as she was pulled into his side.
“Riley has just agreed to be a bridesmaid at my wedding,” Rachel chirped.
“Yeah?”The smile Wade gave Riley was so bright, she resisted the urge to squint as he peered down at her.
“Don’t you meanourwedding, honeybun?”Hunter teased as Rachel was hauled backward into her man’s big burly arms.
Cat’s husband Cody joined the group next, then Zach, both of them claiming their women with a kiss and arm wrap.Luke and Benny were next to roll up.Luke lacing his fingers through Bella’s and offering her a sweet smile.Meanwhile, Benny was stuffing another hot dog into his mouth.
Matt and Jonah were the only ones who hadn’t joined them as they remained around the barbecue, flipping burgers with the help of Cat and Cody’s son, Dylan.
Rachel repeated the news to the newcomers.All of whom looked pleased.But it was Wade’s happiness that radiated as he lay more kisses on the top of her head.He’d been extremely encouraging and supportive of her new friendships.And whenever Rachel had come over to his place, because that was where Riley spent most of her time now, he’d give them space to have their girl time.
“You wanna be a groomsman?”Hunter grunted, his chin lifting to Wade.
“Huh?”Was Wade’s baffled reaction.
All the women stifled their sniggers.“Gonna need someone to walk Riley down the aisle, wanna be a groomsman?”Hunter repeated.
“Men really are a different species,” Libby said as she shook her head.
Rachel was first to lose the battle and let out a giggle.Next was Bella.Then Cat.And finally, Libby and Riley joined in.
“I’ll walk her down the aisle.”Benny put his hand up.“In case you fuckers have forgotten, I’m not walking down the aisle with anyone.”
More laughter from the group erupted.
