The Mistake (Bad Bridesmaids #1) - Noelle Adams Page 0,50
Really good.”
“Things with you and Robert still going like a sappy romance?”
“No! I mean, yes, things are going great, but it’s not like a sappy romance. I mean, we’re both real people, and so we have issues to deal with and everything. But we’ve been really happy together. I have no complaints.”
“Any chance of wedding bells for the two of you coming up?” Serena’s expression was teasing—she obviously knew what Amanda’s reaction would be.
Amanda gave her friend’s arm a light swat. “I have no idea what will be coming up, but we don’t have any plans right now.”
“It’s going to happen for you soon. I can feel it.”
Amanda gave her a quick, one-armed hug before she washed her hands.
Amanda didn’t know what to say to that. The truth was she was starting to hope her relationship with Robert might go in that direction, but she was trying to be patient and realistic. Robert had spent most of his life pushing away genuine intimacy and commitment. He wasn’t necessarily going to want to jump into marriage.
It had only been six months.
And things were going so well.
She had nothing in the world to complain about.
WHEN SHE RETURNED TO the room where the reception was still in high gear, she had to stand near the door for a full minute, scanning the crowd until she found Robert. She’d left him over by the bar, but he’d moved to the other side, near the doors that led out onto the terrace.
She had a moment of sweet nostalgia after she spotted him. Robert was looking particularly good in his black suit. This was the same venue as her sister’s wedding. It almost could have been that night again—the night she’d first started falling in love with him.
Robert gave her a little smile when she caught his eye, as if he might have been thinking the same thing. Then he made a deliberate turn toward the doors and pushed through one of them, walking out onto the terrace.
She smiled as she followed him, maneuvering through the gathered guests until she’d reached the doors and stepped outside.
He was there by the railing, in almost the exact same spot as he’d found her having a minor breakdown so many months ago.
Maybe he was feeling nostalgic too.
“What are you doing out here?” she asked. “It’s kind of cold.”
“I know it is.” His smile was warm and fond and just a little bit dry. Exactly like him. “Do you need my jacket?”
“No, I don’t need your jacket.”
“One time I offered it to you, you said it smelled like me. Scrumptious I think was the word.”
She gave him the eye roll he deserved. “If I recall correctly, I also called you arrogant and presumptuous that night, so I wouldn’t put too much stock in a random comment on how you smell scrumptious.” She leaned forward and sniffed his shoulder. “Although you still do, if you want to know the truth.”
He laughed and pulled her into a quick hug. She still loved every time he did that. It was like he couldn’t help but reach out to her in his amusement.
“But seriously,” she went on after a minute of enjoying the feeling. “Were you getting hot in there or something?”
“No. I just wanted to come out here.”
“Oh. Why?” Her eyes were wide. She really had no idea what was about to happen.
He cleared his throat and shifted very slightly.
Frowning, she asked, “What are you all stiff and nervous about all of a sudden?”
“I’m not stiff and nervous.” He frowned back at her, lofty and disapproving.
With a giggle, she gave him a patronizing pat on the shoulder that she knew would annoy him. “Of course you aren’t. You’re not nervous at all. You’re always totally confident and in control—in fact, I’m in awe of your lack of nervousness about anything.”
“Shut it,” he muttered.
“But despite your superhuman abilities, you did seem kind of nervous before. Like a sappy guy who was about to... about to...” She trailed off as an idea came to her for the very first time.
He arched his eyebrows, a glint awakening in his eyes that was impossible not to understand. “About to what?”
“About to... Robert?” Her voice squeaked on his name. She hugged her arms to her chest.
He was half smiling as he cleared his throat again and stuck his hand in his pocket.
She made another squeak and raised one hand to cover her mouth.
Then, with an expression of self-deprecating amusement, he lowered himself to one knee and extended his