Molly

“It’s the cuffs that give me the biggest headache,” he says, buttoning up his shirt. Once he’s got it on, he hands me a pair of sterling silver square cuff links with the initials JEM engraved on them.

“What does the ‘E’ stand for?” I say.

“Edward.”

I smile. James Edward McIntyre has a nice ring to it.

I wait patiently for him to tuck the shirt into his trousers, trying not to stare below his waist. Once he has zipped up his pants and secured his belt, he holds one wrist out to me so I can attach his cuff links.

“Yes.” It’s torture standing so close to him. He smells so good. Whatever cologne he wears should be made mandatory for all men, because it’s absolutely edible. “Hold still,” I tell him.

The top three buttons of his shirt are still undone, and standing so close to him makes me hyper aware of him as a man… his height, his warmth, the scent of his skin and cologne. It’s very unsettling as my body responds helplessly.

“You okay?” he says. “You’re being awfully quiet.”

I swallow hard. “I’m fine.”

After I attach the first cuff link, he hands me the second one. And while I’m working on that one, he distracts me by skimming his fingers over my hair.

“You put your hair up,” he says.

Then he gently fingers one of the tendrils I left hanging loose, making me shiver.

I notice his throat contracting as he swallows. “What are you wearing? Describe it to me.”

“A dress.”

He chuckles. “Funny. Try again.”

“It’s Wedgewood blue satin, shin-length, with a lace overlay.”

“In English, please.”

“It’s blue. Sort of a medium to medium-light blue, with a hint of gray.”

He nods. “That’s better. What else?”

“My shoes are gray, just basic pumps with a slight heel.”

“You do seem a bit taller. What else?”

“Chandelier earrings with tiny seed pearls. That’s it. Nothing fancy.”

He fingers my earrings as I finish attaching the second cuff link.

“There, all done,” I say.

He cradles my face in his hands and closes his eyelids. “God, I wish I could see you.”

“Don’t worry, you’re not missing much,” I say, trying to keep the mood light.

He frowns. Then his hands tighten on my face, and he presses his mouth to my forehead. “Molly, you have no idea how wrong you are.”

He trails kisses down my face until his lips settle on mine. He seals our mouths, his lips nudging mine open. When I gasp in surprise, he slips his tongue inside to stroke mine. I taste mint toothpaste and Jamie. When I make an involuntary sound, something that sounds a lot like a whimper, he tightens his arms on me. I lose myself in him, slipping my arms around his waist and splaying my hands on his firm back. He pulls me closer and deepens the kiss.

I suddenly wonder why we’re putting clothes on when we should be taking them off. We’re standing right at the foot of a big bed. It would be so easy to fall into it and give in to something I think we both want.

Someone knocks on the bedroom door, and I jump.

“Wedding party downstairs in ten minutes for photos,” says a booming male voice. “Shake a leg, buddy!”

“That was my dad,” Jamie says. He sighs. “I’ve got to go.”

I release Jamie and step back. My face is hot, and I know I’m flushed.

“I’ll find you after the ceremony,” he says.

“Okay.”

I quickly help him with his cummerbund and gray vest and tie his gray silk tie for him. My dad taught me how to tie ties when I was a little girl, and I always tied his. I feel a sense of deep satisfaction helping Jamie with the finishing touches.

He pulls on his tuxedo coat and grabs his cane. “I’ll see you after the ceremony.” Then he kisses me one last time before he leaves the room.

With Jamie off to do wedding party stuff, I wander downstairs alone. It’s half-past one, so the ceremony doesn’t start for another half-hour. I have some time to kill.

I head to the great room, where I see Beth and Shane standing on the dais at the head of the room, along with Cooper, who’s wearing a no-frills black suit and tie. It looks like they’re doing a bit of rehearsing.

Shane’s already wearing his tuxedo, but Beth’s still in casual clothes. He looks incredibly handsome. Beth’s a lucky girl.

Shane takes Beth’s hands in his and pulls her close. He glances at his watch, then says something to Beth that makes her smile. She reaches up and fiddles with his tie, beaming radiantly. It’s so obvious that they’re madly in love. I almost feel like an intruder watching them together.

I wander into the kitchen, where Elly is helping Gina Capelli put some final touches on a beautiful three-tiered wedding cake.

“That’s a gorgeous cake,” I say.

Gina smiles at me. “Thanks. It’s pretty, but it’s a pain in the ass to work with.”

“Everything’s wonderful,” I say. “The food, the cake. You’re very talented.”

Beth’s friend Gabrielle waltzes hurriedly into the kitchen. “Has anyone seen Beth?” Her long, curly red hair is styled in an elaborate up-do, with sprigs of baby’s breath woven through the strands. Her complexion is pale, like cream, and her face is sprinkled with freckles.

“She’s in the great room,” I say. “With Shane. They’re rehearsing.”

“Oh, thanks! Sorry, gotta run. Beth needs to get dressed.”

I hang out in the kitchen with Elly and Gina, trying to be helpful when I can. When I hear Lia’s boyfriend playing something soft and lovely on the guitar, I take my cue and head into the great room to take a seat.

The guests begin to fill the rows of chairs quickly, and Shane and his brothers take their places at the head of the room. Cooper’s standing on the dais, front and center. It looks like he’s going to officiate the ceremony. Shane’s standing next to Cooper, then it’s Jamie, Jake, and Liam. Jamie looks so handsome up there in his tux, and so bad-ass in his glasses. How can one family have so many attractive sons? Of course, if you look at their father, who’s seated in the front row on the right side, you can easily see where they get their good looks.

The photographer takes a few more pictures of the groom and his party. Then the lights dim a little, and the photographer steps out of the way as a hush comes over the room.

Jonah starts playing Pachelbel’s Canon in D, the tempo slow and the melody lilting, and I feel my throat tighten with emotion. The bridal party enters the great room. First, Gabrielle, then a young woman with a sweet, round face, chin-length dark hair, and bright blue eyes.

Finally, the bride enters the room on the arm of her brother, a dashingly handsome man with dark hair and blue-green eyes, dressed in an austere black tuxedo.

The wedding ceremony is simple and lovely. Beth looks so happy as she recites her vows to Shane, and as he recites his vows to her, his gaze never once leaves her face.

After the ceremony ends, the guests wander out into the foyer and the dining room while the guys immediately start clearing away the folding chairs. I slip out into the foyer, but stay close so I can watch Jamie, who’s helping with the chairs.

Beth comes out of the dining room.

“Beth, hi! Congratulations!” I give her a hug. Not surprisingly, she’s practically giddy with happiness. “It was a beautiful ceremony, and you look radiant.”

Her smile is genuine. “Thanks, Molly. I’m so glad you came.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. And this place – holy cow! It’s magnificent.”

“Where’s Jamie?” she says, glancing around.

I nod toward the great room. “He’s helping his brothers clear away the chairs.”

“You guys came together, right?” she says.

“Yes. It made sense to share the cost of the ride.”

“Are you going to dance with him?”

I make a face and laugh. “God, no. I’m not dancing. I’m just here to watch and eat cake.”