Page 79 of Take Me
Sliding my gaze back to Mason, I watch him lift one hand to his cheek.While pretending to scratch, he mouths four more words in my direction.
What should I do?
Shrugging, I glance back at Hazel.As refined as she is, she’d know the best move in this moment.But she’s dabbing her eyes with a tissue, behaving like any normal woman at a wedding.From the moment we got here, I’ve been surrounded by fellow females who gush over flowers and recognize shoe brands from six feet away.
Meanwhile, I’m transfixed by the underpants sticking out of the groom’s pocket.
Those are panties, right?Yes, definitely.A handkerchief wouldn’t be lacy and satin, and he’d have it in his breast pocket, not his pants.What the hell should we do?
Aiming my glance back at Mason, I watch the wheels turn in his head.As Jake puts his pillar back in the candleholder, Mason seizes his chance.He shifts to the right, patting Jake’s arm like he’s proud of his brother.As discretely as possible, he snakes out a hand and pushes the panties back into Jake’s pocket.
But Jake turns too fast andoh crap—now the panties hang half in, half out.They swing as he walks, a lacy thong pendulum put there to taint this sweet moment.
A cringing Mason moves back to his spot in the neat row of groomsmen.How is nobody else seeing this?I scan for the photographer, spotting her off to the right.She’s down on her knees, zooming in tight on the couple.
Crap.
Cass and Jake move to the spot where they’ll now say their vows.The stopwatch ticks faster, counting down to the moment of truth.Their first kiss as husband and wife is a photo I’m certain most brides dream of.What will Cassidy think if the money shot features her underthings?
I glance back at Mason, who mouths something quickly that it takes me a second to get.
Right or left?
Ah, he can’t see from this angle.He needs me to guide him to make one last grab for the panties.Lifting a finger, I point to the left and then down.If Mason moves fast when Jake and Cass pass him, he can save all their photos and spare this sweet couple embarrassment.We’re working together, me guiding Mason like a football coach giving hand signals.
Hazel looks over, forehead scrunching as I bury my hands in my lap.I give her an innocent smile and do my best to focus on Jake and Cass.They’re moving past Mason, moments away from pledging to love, honor, and cherish.I watch the scene play out in slow-mo, seeing Mason shift on the balls of his feet.His left hand whips out, brushing the groom’s right pantleg.My gallant white knight snatches the underpants with lightning quick reflexes.
He’s almost home free when Jake whirls to face him.
“The hell?”The groom’s rough growl rattles the sound system.
Mason’s a picture of innocence.“Sorry?”
“Why the fuck did you grab me?”
Wincing, I glance at the bride.I expect her to blanch, but Cassidy just looks serene.I guess if you marry Jake Spencer-King, you expect a few f-bombs at the wedding.
Jake stares at his brother, then looks down to see Mason’s hands stuffed in his pockets.“Did you just steal my wife’s panties?”
“Uh—what?”
“Jake.”Cassidy punches her groom in the arm.“Shh!”
“What?”He turns back to Mason and grumbles.“That was our secret.”
Mason frowns.“Say what?”
Everyone’s staring, the whole congregation.I’m wondering if the bridal party forgot they’re all miked.Biting down on my knuckle, I watch this play out like a freakshow I’ve helped set in motion.
Jake growls again.“That was my something blue.”
Cass clears her throat.“Borrowedfrom his bride.”
I watch Mason’s gaze dart between them as the photographer keeps clicking away.A slow grin spreads over his face as he drags his hand out of his pocket.
“In that case,” he says, cramming the panties into his brother’s clenched fist, “let me be first to wish you a very happy honeymoon.”
“Holy shit, that was wild.”I fling my arms wide and fall backwards onto our bed.
