Page 45 of The Wedding Run
“If you’re willing to marry the gal,” a man in overalls says, “then you should be willing to kiss her.”
“Stake your claim!” someone hollers.
The elderly gentleman shakes his head. “These young folks nowadays.”
“Yeah!” someone bellows. “Kiss her!”
Luke ducks his head, glances at me sideways. His brow furrows.
“This is what happens,” I tell him, “when you just wave and say thanks.”
He shoves his hair off his brow. “You’re no help.”
“Sounds like a challenge,” I tease, knowing it’s his fault we’re in this stupid situation. Okay, maybe I’m guilty, too. But I can’t help joshing him. “Just a little smackaroo.”
The crowd loves that, whooping and hollering.
Someone starts chanting, “Kiss her, kiss her, kiss her…”
The crowd joins in, the crescendo of voices building to a low roar.
Luke leans close and says so low only I can hear, “Derek would not understand.”
That puts starch in my spine. “Derek has no claim here.”
CHAPTER 22
Luke
Kiss her… kiss her… kiss her…
The crowd’s chanting rings in my ears and vibrates through me. I’d like to accommodate them, but I don’t dare. This is Libby. This is my best friend’s ex.
But then, Libby challenges me. "Derek," she says, "has no claim here." She flirtatiously bats her eyes, pushing me toward a different decision.
I hand the wedding dress to the man in the overalls. “Do you mind, sir?”
“Not at all,” he says with a grin. “Give the fella some room.”
But the crowd gathers closer.
I move toward Libby, gliding my hand around her waist. With one swift tug, I yank her against me.
Someone emits a piercing whistle.
I take my sweet time because, quite frankly, I may never get this chance again. And I might get my other cheek slapped.
But it’ll be worth it.
The crowd goes silent.
I tip her chin upward and look deep into her eyes. It’s then I realize I’m in deep trouble. But it’s too late.
I lower my voice in a confession for only her to hear, “I’ve been wanting to do this for a while.”
“You what?” Her mouth opens.
A surefire invitation.
