Page 100 of Take Me
“Me?”Haze sounds surprised to be asked.“I’m a coldhearted workaholic bitch who sent my own father to prison.”
“That’ll do it.”Noah clinks his glass against hers.“Cheers to being the black sheep.”
Hazel’s mouth twitches.“Baaah.”
Their conversation flows into the others, becoming a buzz that surrounds us.A fuzzy warm blanket of family and laughter and joy.Erika catches my eye with a grin.
“This is fun.”She pops a shrimp puff into her mouth.
My mother moves past on her way to the restroom, pausing by Erika’s chair.“That sweater looks beautiful on you.”
“Thanks.”She smiles a little sheepishly.“You’re sure you don’t want it back?”
“Positive.”Mom pats her shoulder.“It belongs to you now.”
Mom wanders away, and Erika turns back to me.“I’m probably ruining the look of the bridesmaid dress, huh?”
“Not one bit.”She looks absolutely gorgeous.“Want my olives?”
“Yes, please.”She smiles as I sort them out of my salad.“You can have my croutons.”
It’s a routine we know well, this shuffle of foodstuffs.I love it almost as much as I love her.The courses continue, mouthwatering sides and an entrée that leaves us both swooning.
“Having a good time?”I ask Erika.
“I am.”Grinning, she lowers her voice.“Don’t tell, but I think this is the best wedding food so far.”
“Love makes it taste better, huh?”
She gives me a look.“You did not just say that.”
“Too cheesy?”
“Who are you and what have you done with Mason?”
I laugh and squeeze her hand.“Would it help if I made a dumb joke?”
“It helps that you’ve got a piece of spinach on the side of your face.”Grinning, she uses the edge of her napkin to swipe at my mouth.
“Maybe you should get it with your tongue.”
“Gross.”Laughing, she kisses me anyway.“I missed you and your stupid jokes.”
“What about the good jokes?”
“I missed those, too.”She pats my cheek with a little too much enthusiasm.“Just waiting to hear one, that’s all.”
There’s a microphone screech as my sister stands up from her table.She gathers her gown in one hand, Peter behind her as she glides to the front of the room.She catches my eye with an unspoken question, and I nod.
That was our signal.Here’s hoping I don’t have food in my teeth.
“Good evening, everyone.”Lucy handles the mic like a pro.“First, let me say how grateful Peter and I are that you came here today to celebrate with us.”She smiles as she surveys the room.“We are thrilled to have so many people who love us.”
Peter leans into the mic.“Or people who like free meals.We’re glad you’re here, too.”
“Either way,” Lucy continues.“We feel blessed you’re a part of this, and we’re so happy you could be here to celebrate our love as a family.”
That’s Harper’s cue for her turn with the mic.“Thanks for making my maid-of-honor job pretty awesome.”She grins, so at ease in the limelight that there’s no doubt she’s my niece.“If anyone wants to slip me a sip of champagne, I promise I won’t tell.”
