Page 21 of Deal Breaker
The photographer appeared, armed with a list of essential photographs which needed to be taken. Apparently, everyone needed to see “candid” shots of the groom and his groomsmen. I cringed at the cheesiness of it. I bet Brianna had scoured every bridal magazine and website to find the list.
The four of us played up to the photographer’s request, hugging, punching, and lifting each other up, pretending to shoot each other with our hands in gun shapes.
“Brianna is going to hate most of these,” observed Joshua, after we’d finished. “But I think they’ll be fun.”
“We’ll do some more outside,” said the photographer, consulting the sheet in his left hand. “But I’m due to do some shots of the bride and her party getting ready.” He glanced at his watch. “Be out on the patio in ten minutes.”
“Sure, will do, thanks.” Joshua grinned, then flopped down on the sofa once the photographer had left. “God, now I know how Justin Bieber feels.” He gestured towards the refrigerator. “Can someone get me a drink?”
“Ugh, seriously, I don’t think I can stomach another alcoholic drink after last night.” My stomach churned at the thought, despite the champagne I’d sipped at breakfast.
“Lightweight!” Trent crowed. “No wonder you left early, can’t take your drink any longer.”
I shook my head. “Not at all. Unlike you two, I don’t want to have to search my memory banks later wondering what happened.”
Joshua nodded. “He’s right. We need to rein it in. Go find us some coffee, you two.”
Trent and Evan did as they were told, leaving Joshua and me alone.
“You okay, buddy?” Joshua’s brows knotted together. “You’ve been rather quiet this morning.”
I paused. It was Joshua’s wedding day. He didn’t need to know about my disastrous encounter with Sophie. But if I did tell him, he might have some idea of how to rescue it.
“I kissed Sophie last night.”
His eyes widened. “You did what? About time too, buddy!”
“It, um, didn’t exactly go well though.” Briefly I filled him in on the pertinent points, omitting the part where I shoved her out of the window. No one needed to know about that.
He clapped a hand over his mouth. “Not exactly the most romantic first kiss. Come on, Max, you’ve had a crush on her for ten years. Stop mooning over her and act on it already.”
If only it were that simple.
“Now’s not the right time,” I protested.
“Now is exactly the right time. Catch up.” Joshua poked me in the chest. “Weddings are perfect for romance.”
“True, but…”
“Take advantage of this. I’m providing liquor, food, flowers, and music. It couldn’t be more perfect. Just. Make. A. Move.”
“I’m pretty sure she hates me right about now.”
“Why would she? Come on, enough with the teen angst already. You kissed her. She kissed you.” Joshua shrugged. “I mean, sure, there was the whole throwing up incident. But you can blame that on me and pre-wedding nerves.”
If I ever got the chance to explain, I probably would.
“And you know she’s always had a crush on you,” Joshua went on. “Exactly like I had on Brianna, and look how that turned out. I’m marrying her. Come on, Max, don’t be a pussy. Go get your girl.”
Chapter Nine
Sophie
By the time I got out of the bathroom, I actually started to feel a bit better. For a start, my body temperature had returned to somewhere near normal, and I didn’t think I was in danger of losing a toe from frostbite any longer.
Autumn and Jodie sat at the table, eating breakfast and chatting quietly about their outfits for the day. Despite the knots in my stomach, the aroma of crispy bacon was incredibly tempting.
“Finally!” said Jodie. “How long does it take you to have a shower?”
