Page 45 of Tempting Her Grumpy Protector
Her gaze lingered on the pink cake, soft and harmless, while her heart tugged elsewhere—to a man with pale eyes who wouldn’t even look at her anymore.
Oh Greer… She wished he was here…or even better, that she was with him alone in his suite or hers. As soon as this wedding was over she was going to find him.
34
SUNNY
“Doll, tuck this Think-me under your hair,” Kat instructed briskly as they finished stringing the last of the lanterns around the reception tent. “It’s a multi-signal one. The other girls helping are wearing one too. That way, if I need any of you during the party, I can bespeak you quick without running across the whole park.”
Sunny slid the slim golden band around her temples and arranged her hair to hide it.
“Got it.” She couldn’t forget the last time she’d worn one of the little telepathic devices, and how Greer had come to her rescue. She’d never worn a multi-signal one, though. Did that mean she could speak to Kat and everyone else at the reception at the same time? She wanted to ask, but Kat had already bustled off to attend to something else and it was time for the wedding to begin…
It was a beautiful ceremony in the Sacred Grove with a white-robed priestess Joining the happy Couple at the altar of the Goddess. When it ended, everyone moved to the tent, which was buzzing with laughter, music, and chatter.
The air smelled of roasted pantha meat, sweet olly bread, and the faintly floral tang of the drinks being passed around. A server handed Sunny a tall, thin glass filled with pale blue liquor.
“Woo,” Kat swooped in to explain with a grin when Sunny sniffed suspiciously. “Careful, doll—it’s stronger than it looks.”
Sunny took a cautious sip. Bubbles of warmth popped over her tongue, fizzy and deceptively light. She took another sip. Then another. Wow—the Woo was really good. Woo-woo, choo-choo—it’s delicious! The thought struck her as funny for some reason and she giggled.
“Excuse me,” said a woman to one side of her. “But did you say something about a choo-choo train?”
“What?” Sunny looked at her blankly. “Sorry, do I know you?”
“No, sorry.” The woman looked embarrassed. “Excuse me.” She got up and left.
Sunny thought nothing of the strange interaction but it wasn’t long before her glass was mysteriously empty, and someone refilled it. Then she had another after that. It was so light and sweet and it went down so easily.
Before she knew it, she found herself seated at a long table near the front of the tent, as Kat had asked, in case she needed help. The bride and groom were seated at the head table and Kat was busy greeting guests and getting them to the correct tables. There didn’t seem to be anything to do at the moment and unfortunately, Sunny happened to be sitting next to a human man she didn’t recognize. He asked her name and though she really didn’t want to give it, she did anyway, trying to be polite.
“So… Sunny, is it?” he drawled, leaning too close. His breath smelled of Woo and unbrushed teeth. “You’re not married, right? Because I can’t imagine a guy letting you out of his sight.”
Sunny forced a polite smile and inched away. He had long, greasy hair and dirty fingernails that desperately needed a trim. Plus, he smelled like he had never even heard of deodorant. All the Woo in the world couldn’t make him attractive, even if she hadn’t already been in love with Greer.
“That’s very kind, but I’m here helping my friend tonight,” she said coolly.
He didn’t take the hint.
“I’m George—George Summerville. I’m on the bride’s side. I’m her second cousin,” he said. “So tell me more about you…”
No matter how cool and distant Sunny was, he kept on trying—little compliments, attempts at jokes, nudges against her arm. Sunny wanted to move, but Kat had specifically asked her to stay put.
So she was stuck.
She sighed and took another long swallow of Woo instead. It was the only thing making this experience bearable. How many glasses had she had of the pale blue liquor? Honestly, she’d lost count.
At least the reception seemed to be going smoothly. No disasters, no interruptions. Soon she could slip away and find Greer. Maybe finally force him to talk to her…
“Want some cake?” Summerville asked, interrupting her train of thought.
“Sure.” Sunny nodded, eager to get rid of him for a few minutes. “But I want the pink one—the one with the flowers. Not the other one,” she said firmly. It wouldn’t do to eat Bonding Fruit cake unless she was certain Greer was willing to help her out afterwards. And she certainly didn’t want to eat any around the grubby George Summerville.
Summerville grinned and made a clumsy bow.
“I am at your service, my Lady. I shall get you the prettiest slice for the prettiest woman here.”
Then he went weaving away into the crowd. Sunny breathed a sigh of relief but it was short lived. Summerville returned much too soon, with a plate filled to overflowing with cake.
