DREW

As if it hasn’t been hard enough keeping my hands off Charlee tonight, we had to get thrown together on the dance floor. Even though she only gave a half-hearted attempt to catch Devyn’s bouquet, the damn thing landed in her hands like a heat-seeking missile. Guess who caught the garter and is now obligated to dance with her? Neither one of us could get away with excusing ourselves from the activity, so here we are. Seriously, is the world out to expose us? How many times can we be thrown together by sheer coincidence?

“You’re not such a bad dancer,” Charlee muses. “I would’ve thought you’d be a little awkward with those clown feet.”

I smother a laugh as I pull her closer. “My feet are perfectly proportionate to my height, thank you very much. Besides, you know what they say about big feet, don’t you?”

Her body shakes with laughter. “Touché.” She nuzzles into my chest. “I love this song.”

I rest my chin on the top of her head. “Mmm, it’s a good one.”

Charlee pulls back and tilts her chin up as Ed Sheeran croons about kissing like you wanna be loved. Neither one of us says another word as we dance. We just watch each other as we listen to the lyrics. I love the way she always leans into me as I run my fingertips along the length of her jaw. God, she’s so fucking beautiful. I could stare at her just like this forever. 

I rest my forehead against hers. “Charlee...”

“May I cut in?”

Charlee and I both look up in surprise as Riley speaks. When did he get here?

I step back and release my hold on her. “Uh...sure.”

Devyn is waiting on stand-by. “Dance with me, Drew. We need to have a little chat.”

Uh oh. I don’t like that tone in her voice. I take her hand as she rests the other one on my shoulder and starts moving. “What’s going on?”

Her eyebrows pinch together. “You tell me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Drew, you and Charlee just looked like you were about to start making out in the middle of the dance floor.” She nods over my shoulder. “And I’m not the only one who’s noticed.”

I swing her around so I can discreetly see who she’s referring to, although, I’m pretty sure I already know the answer. Yep, Brody is standing on the edge of the dance floor, looking like he wants to murder me right now. Rainey is tugging on his arm, saying something in his ear. Probably reminding him that he can’t raise a child from prison.

I lead Devyn into another circle so I don’t have to see his glare. “Fuck. I didn’t realize we were being so obvious.”

“Please don’t cause a scene at my wedding,” she begs.

“I’ll stay away from her for the rest of the night. I promise. I’m sorry; I honestly didn’t realize.”

“I know it’s hard, Drew. The only way it’s going to get any easier is if you tell him.” She widens her eyes. “But not until after my reception. Rainey will keep Brody away for the night but you can’t egg him on by doing that again.”

I nod. “Got it.”

She smiles radiantly. “Thank you.”

I smile back. “You make a beautiful bride, Dev. And you’re an amazing mother. Mom and Dad would be so proud of you.”

Devyn gives me a sad smile. “I wish they were here. I always miss them but it’s worse when something big like this happens.”

I pull her into a hug. “Yeah, I know what you mean.”

She squeezes me. “I love you, Drew.”

“I love you, too, Dev.”

She steps back and wipes a little tear from her eye. “Okay, enough with the mushy stuff. This is a celebration! And do you know what that calls for?”

“What’s that?”

Devyn grins from ear to ear. “Champagne!”

I laugh. “Well, then let’s get some, Mrs. McIntyre.”

“I love the sound of that,” she sighs.

I swing my arm around her neck. “C’mon, sis, let’s find the alcohol.”