A small group from the wedding party—Stacy and Jason, Sydney and Woody, and Ty and Julia (the best man and his wife)—were gathering flower arrangements and setting them next to a long table piled high with wedding gifts.
“I know it isn’t very sexy,” I said to Gina, “but we should probably help.”
“Being a responsible adult
“Oh. Well. Then I guess I’m screwed.”
Her eyes glittered with affection. “If you’re lucky.”
We joined the others and helped with the flowers and centerpieces. I thought we were done, but we still had to load all the presents into Elizabeth’s station wagon.
I took one look at the hoard and realized that it wouldn’t all fit. Not with the flowers too. I told the others I’d be right back. Then I wrapped Gina in my coat, gave her a kiss, and jogged to my car.
The guys had Elizabeth’s car halfway loaded when I returned. The girls were sitting to the side on the last four chairs in sight. They were all wearing their dates’ coats, which made them look even smaller than they already were.
I gave Gina another kiss—because I could—and opened the back of the Land Cruiser. Ty helped fold down the rear seats. Then he and I filled the car with flowers. Jason and Woody loaded Elizabeth’s to the headliner but
“We can fill the passenger seats and footwells,” I suggested. “That should do it.”
“Only one problem,” Jason said. “Stacy and I are supposed to drive the station wagon to Kara’s parents’ house.”
“She can drive it,” I suggested, “and you can drive my car.”
“How will
I pulled out my dad’s car keys.
“Oh. Well. That’s convenient.”
We loaded the remaining presents and left enough room for the drivers, but that was about it.
“Okay,” I said at last, “are we ready to blow this popsicle stand?”
“Not quite,” Jason said. “We still have to get our stuff from the tents.”
“I don’t know about you all,” Ty said, “but I don’t feel like changing clothes. I’m fine to wear this back to the hotel.”
I looked around and realized that
or bridesmaid’s dress.
“Yeah, let’s just get our stuff and get out of here.”
We trooped down the stairs to the terrace lawn. I stood around while the men disappeared into the groomsmen’s tent and the ladies went into the one for the bridesmaids.
When everyone emerged, Stacy and Jason said goodbye to us and climbed the stairs to the front driveway. The rest of us walked to our cars. I carried Gina’s dress bag and a small overnight bag. I hefted it and gave her a speculative look. She looped an arm through mine and leaned against me.
“Thanks for all your help,” Ty said.
“No problem.”
“It was great to see you again,” Sydney said. She stood on tiptoe to kiss my cheek. “You’re next.” She glanced at Gina and held up her wedding ring to make sure I understood. “Oh, and enjoy the drive home.”
I furrowed my brow and shook hands with Woody as the girls said goodnight. They climbed into their car and drove away.
I stowed Gina’s things behind the seats in my dad’s Corvette. She took off my coat, folded it neatly with the boutonnière on top, and added it to the back. Then she lowered herself into the passenger seat and smiled up at me as I closed the door.
My dad was several inches taller than me (which still annoyed me sometimes), so I had to move the driver’s seat forward. I slid the key into the ignition but didn’t turn it.
“Sorry about tonight,” I said. “I know it wasn’t what you planned.”
“How do you know that?”
“I dunno. It wasn’t what
“Oh?”
I watched her out of the corner of my eye. “I wanted to sweep you off your feet. Seduce you with my charm and wit. Tempt you into bed with me.”
“And…?”
“Well, let’s see…” I counted things off: “We had crazy relatives, a crowd of drunks, flower clean-up, a truckload of gifts, and then a long walk to the car.” I sighed. “On top of all that, pretty much everyone tonight assumed we’d be getting married next. Like we don’t have any say in the matter.”
She unbuckled her shoes and tucked them under the seat.
“I mean, sure, we’ve known each other since we were kids, but we haven’t seen each other since Christmas. We’ve been apart longer than that. It
takes some time to get to know someone again. Worse, I just assumed you’d be coming home with me. I know we’ve been flirting all night, but I didn’t even
“I was wondering if you’d realize that.” She studied my face. “You’ve grown up a lot since we broke up.”
“Had to happen eventually,” I muttered.
She nodded.
“So,” I said at last, “take you home?” I moved to start the car, but she stopped me with a gesture. “What? Did we forget something?”
She sat on the center console and held my face in her hands. “You’re sexier now than I’ve ever known,” she said softly. “Tonight was wonderful.”
She closed her eyes and kissed me, softly at first, but with growing desire.
