Page 54 of The Wedding Toast
Jacob gave him a wry smile.“I kind of am.I know that you’re close with her, but … is there more to this little chat?”
“Yeah.You know how Elena said she didn’t want to sit at the head table with you and Becca and everyone – that it’d be better for Ria to take that spot since she has Russ and that would keep the numbers even?”
Jacob sighed.“I tried to persuade her, but she insisted that it would mess up the tables.She said that since Becca’s folks would be on her side, there should be two people in the spots on my side as well – not just her.”
Smoke grinned.“Ria agrees, but she suggested that it might be better if those two people were Elenaand Walt.”
Jacob laughed.“And she’s right, of course.”
“She usually is,” said Smoke.“She wasn’t going to push it, but I thought I might as well stick my nose in and at least suggest it.”
“I’m glad you did,” said Jacob.
“In that case, I am too.Now get in there and find Becca.”
Jacob laughed as he jogged up the stairs beside Smoke – he didn’t need telling twice.
~ ~ ~
“Are you having fun?”Becca asked.
“I am,” said Callie.“And if it makes you feel better, I’ll admit you were right, these guys are awesome.Piper could be one of us, couldn’t she?And all of them are so nice.The only one who makes me feel like an outsider is me.”
Becca grinned.“I’m so happy you can see it now.”
Callie jerked her head toward the stairs where Jacob had just arrived.“I think you’ll be even happier to see him.And don’t worry about me when the two of you decide you’re ready to go, just go.Willow said I can ride back with her and Slade, and Hannah said I can go with her and Grady.They’re all coming back to the estate anyway, so I won’t get lost or anything.”
Jacob reached Becca’s side and slung his arm around her shoulders as he kissed her temple.
“Sorry it took me a little while.I met Smoke and Laura on the way up.”
“Oh!They weren’t leaving, were they?I really like them.”
“No, I …” he smiled.“Smoke was suggesting that we solve the problem at the head table by having Elena and Walt sit with us.”
Becca’s hand came up to cover her heart.“Aww, that’s a lovely idea.Do you think?I know Ria said we should have Elena there, but …”
“But she wouldn’t have felt right by herself.I think having her and Walt there is perfect.”
She looked up into his eyes.“I do too.They’re family in the most important sense of the word.”
“They are.”
Callie laughed.“I love it.But I don’t love standing around here watching the two of you moon over each other so I’m going to find …”
She didn’t get to finish.Antonio appeared beside her, and Becca could only laugh as he pulled Jacob into a hug.
“Happy for you, my brother.”
Becca loved the way Jacob hugged him back and said, “I’m happy for me too – and grateful to you.Although I hope you’ll forgive me if I take Becca home soon.”
Antonio rolled his eyes at her and laughed.“That was always part of the plan.I only wanted for everyone to be together, to wish you both well, and all the love and happiness in the world.You deserve it.”
“Aww, thank you.”Becca reached out to touch his arm.He was a big personality, and he loved out loud.
His brother Marcos came to stand beside him and nodded at Jacob.He was quieter than Antonio, more serious.But Becca liked him too.She knew that he and Jacob talked business quite often, and all the guys looked to him when it came to investing and financial matters.
“Do you need me to drag him away?”
