A Merry Vested Wedding - Melanie Moreland Page 0,35

smiled, and the gesture transformed his face from handsome to sinfully sexy.

“What’s in the bag, Santa?” Ronan yelled.

“I hope it’s booze!” Thomas added.

Jaxson blinked and looked at the bag by his feet. “Some of it,” he said, sounding doubtful.

Aiden laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “Some is good. Let’s get this party started.”

I sat beside Gracie, watching as Jaxson slowly walked around the room. I was fascinated observing him. He spoke to every person, called them by name, reached into his bag and handed them a present. They were simple things, but thoughtful. Chocolates or bath bombs for all the girls, cigars or small totes of alcohol for the men, each one tailored to the individual’s taste. Every single one had a festive ribbon attached.

“He must have spent hours buying everything,” I mused. “Never mind getting a suit and braving the weather to come here.”

Gracie made a low noise in her throat. I glanced at her. She was focused on him intently, her hands clenched into fists on her lap.

“How on earth did he remember everyone’s name?” I wondered out loud. “He hasn’t made a single mistake.”

“He does that,” she murmured. “He remembers faces and names. Facts. The smallest details others forget.”

“Amazing.”

“It makes him a good lawyer,” she admitted.

I grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “It makes him a good person too. He’s extremely generous. And thoughtful.”

“I told him not to come,” she muttered almost to herself. “Why did he come?”

“Apparently, he wanted to,” Brayden interjected cheekily. “Maybe it was his Christmas wish.”

“Shut it,” Gracie snarled.

Brayden smirked, clearly enjoying himself. I had to admit it was amusing to see Gracie acting so un-Gracie-like. Normally unflappable and still, she was a bundle of nerves. Her color was heightened, and her foot swung in agitation. Her little huffs of annoyance were adorable.

She tensed further as he approached the parents. He’d handed out something to all the “juniors,” as Aiden called our generation, except for the three of us. I had a feeling he was saving that for last.

He shook all the dads’ hands and kissed the mothers on the cheek. He thanked them profusely for including him today and handed them each a present. They were gracious and warm in return. Gracie was so anxious when he stood in front of Richard, I was sure she had stopped breathing. She almost growled when her dad clapped him on the shoulder, thanking him for the scotch. Her mom, Katy, spoke to him at length, listening to his low-voiced replies. At one point, her hand lifted to rest on his bicep as if in comfort.

“What is he doing?” Gracie whispered. “Why is he still up there? Why is he acting so…nice?”

“Is he not usually nice?” I asked.

“He’s known as ‘the dick’ around the office,” she replied. “He yells a lot.”

“Just like your dad in his younger years—on both counts.” Brayden rubbed his hands together in glee. “Oh, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it, Gracie?”

“You want to wear that coffee, Bray? Keep it up,” Gracie snarled. “Why is he still talking to my parents?”

Brayden chuckled. “Chatting to his new in-laws. I think your dad likes him. Your mom does, for sure. He’ll fit in nicely once they get over the shock.”

“Shut it, asshole,” she growled.

I lifted my eyebrows at her vehemence.

“Just answering your question.” Brayden defended himself. He grinned widely. “Maybe you should join him. Get them used to you as a couple.”

“I’m going to slash your tires, and you’ll have to walk home. I hope you freeze.”

“What about my wife? Your best friend?” he asked, not at all concerned.

“She can stay with me.”

“Hmm,” he mused. “Three’s a crowd. If the storm is bad, Jaxson is gonna have to stay over. I bet he chooses your bed to rest his weary bones.” He winked lewdly at her. “His rights and all as your hubs.”

She glared, her gaze colder than the wind blowing outside. “Get stuffed, Bray.”

“I think that’s his job.”

“Stop it, both of you,” I interrupted. As amusing as their banter was, I didn’t want to miss a second of the action happening around me. Jaxson didn’t strike me as only acting nice. He seemed intense but not mean or nasty. I wondered if perhaps people found his forceful nature off-putting. Maybe it was an act. People found me cold. Those who knew me best knew I was anything but. It was the persona I used to protect myself from the outside world. I peeked over at Gracie. Had she