Bride & Seek (Enchanted Bridal #5) - Samantha Chase Page 0,45

me, and then food becomes the priority,” he said dramatically. “I’ll get used to it…” Then he sat down.

Cammie waited for a moment and then stood back up. She almost laughed at the expression on Cade’s face–part hopeful, part confused. In a flash, she shimmied out of her dress and stood before him in nothing but scraps of blue lace.

“Compromise,” she said easily. “Just to show that I am not taking you for granted.” She was just about to sit back down when Cade’s arm banded around her waist as he pulled her into his lap.

“Compromise,” he mimicked thickly, nuzzling her neck. “This way, I can touch you, keep you warm, and feed you while I work you up into a frenzy.”

“I like the way you think,” she said huskily.

“Stick with me,” Cade teased. “I’ve got all kinds of good ideas.”

And she knew it to be true.

Another Epilogue

Meanwhile, back in Raleigh…

It was fast approaching midnight and Skylar stood in the darkened corner of the ballroom and stretched. The last of the guests were leaving and she did her best to stay out of everyone’s way. The sooner everyone was gone, the sooner she and Josie and Leanna could go home.

“My bed is definitely calling,” she murmured.

Out of the dark, Leanna stepped in close beside her and handed her a slice of cake. It was something they always did and she was never one to turn away sweets.

“It’s an end slice so there’s plenty of frosting. Just the way you like it,” Lea said.

“You’re a lifesaver. I’m going to need this last little sugar rush to get through the next hour.” She took a forkful of cake and moaned with pleasure. “Damn. I watch you bake every week and yet I still don’t know how you do it. Ever confection is so decadent that it’s nearly orgasmic.”

A soft laugh was Lea’s only response, and when Skye glanced over, she saw she was having cake too. For a few minutes, neither said a word. It was nice to just enjoy the quiet after such a loud and bustling day.

“Where’s Josie? I thought she’d be out here having cake too.”

“She got a text and it must have really pissed her off because I heard her mumbling curses all the way out the door,” Lea explained. “I’ve learned not to get in her way when she’s like that.”

“Smart move.” More silence. Her cake was finished and Skye gently put the plate and fork down on the nearest table. “So what do we have left to do? Anything?”

“Bride and groom are on their way to their hotel for the night, and everyone said their goodbyes already. Both sets of parents are gone, as well. The DJ is loading up his truck and all my baking dishes, platters, and supplies are being loaded in my van as we speak. Once we do a walkthrough, we’re good. The event coordinator for the venue…”

“Janie,” Skye supplied.

“Right, Janie,” she repeated. “Anyway, everything else is on her. I just figured we’d talk with her on our way out the door. But we probably should wait for Josie.”

As if sensing her friends were talking about her, Josie came walking back into the ballroom looking more than a little annoyed.

Both Skylar and Leanna groaned.

“Everything okay?” Skye asked while silently praying it was.

Josie glanced around. “Any cake left?”

“One minute!” Leanna said as she stood and ran back toward the kitchen.

With a huff, Josie sat down, and as much as the curiosity was killing her, Skylar figured she’d wait until Lea was back with the cake before saying anything.

“Here you go!” Lea said a moment later. “So what’s going on?”

Rather than answer right away, Josie took a forkful of cake and hummed. “Damn, Lea. This was exactly what I needed. Thanks.” She took another forkful before saying anything else. “My brother’s getting married.”

“What?” Skye said with more heat than she meant and immediately caught Leanna’s eye. “I mean…wow! That’s great! I didn’t think he and Tracy were…you know…that serious.”

Josie waved her off. “Please. Elliott is always serious.” Then she shook her head. “He texted earlier to share the news, but I didn’t see it until a few minutes ago. They–of course–want us to help with the wedding plans, so I told him to call the office on Monday and we’ll set up an appointment.” She took another bite of cake.

Meanwhile, the cake Skye had just eaten was turning to lead in her stomach.

Elliott was getting married.

Her lifelong crush had proposed to someone else.

Well, to