Rate a Date by Monica Murphy Page 0,85
no hesitation as he pulls me into his arms and presses his mouth to mine. A shiver moves through me when he parts my lips with his tongue, and we’re full-blown making out in front of the tent, while the party still carries on inside.
Minutes later I’m finally extracting myself from his embrace, my entire body flushed and shaky. “We need to calm down.”
“I can’t help it.” He grins. “I’m so glad to see you. And that dress. Goddamn. Turn around.” I do a little circle and he whistles low. “You’re trying to kill me.”
“I didn’t even know you’d be here,” I tell him as I hook my arm through his and lead him toward the tent entrance.
“I had to come get you, Eleanor. I don’t give up on what I consider mine.” He stops me, dropping another kiss on my lips. “And you’re mine. Just like I’m yours.”
Oh shit. I am beyond giddy at his words, at that wondrous glow shining in his eyes.
We enter the tent and I start introducing him to everyone I know. The men stare at him slack-jawed for a moment, because they all pretty much know exactly who he is, which is such a thrill. Mitch handles it all with ease, smiling and shaking hands with everyone, putting on the charm on every single one of my friends. He tells Caroline and Alex he’s sorry for crashing their reception and they both forgive him easily.
Maybe I forgave him too easily as well, but I’d be a fool to let this man go.
And I know it.
“All right, single ladies, gather around! The bride is going to toss the bouquet!” the DJ announces a few minutes later.
My friends and I all go to the designated spot a few feet away from where Caroline stands. Candice sits this one out since she has a fat diamond on her finger, but the rest of us are there. Even Amelia, who’s still currently split from her jerk of a boyfriend. I’m so proud of her for keeping away from him. He’s toxic and I think she finally realizes it.
“Your Mitch is cute,” Stella says, nodding toward where he’s standing. I glance over to find him watching me as Carter speaks to him. “He seems totally into you.”
“He is totally into me,” I say with a giant grin. “I can’t believe he showed up here tonight.”
“I can,” Stella says with confidence.
I stare at her. “Did you know?” How could she?
“Nope, but I had a feeling he’d come for you eventually. And look, he did.” She gives me a brief hug. “I think he might be good for you.”
“I’d like to think I’m good for him too,” I say.
“Oh, I’m sure you are. And by the way he’s staring at you, I’d guess he can’t wait to you get alone. I’m sure you two will cause a ruckus in your hotel room tonight. Again.” She nudges me in the side.
We all have rooms at the hotel this evening. Alex made sure we wouldn’t have to drive home. In fact, I sort of forgot all about that tasty little fact.
“Better hope your room isn’t next to mine. We’ll keep you awake all night,” I tell her, just before we start giggling.
“Okay, ladies, here we go! Our bride is ready to toss the bouquet. Who’s ready to catch it?” the DJ asks over the microphone.
We all start shouting and jumping up and down. Caroline’s laughing at us, aiming the bouquet at Sarah, then me. Then Stella. Kelsey. Amelia. We all give each other a look, and I know it’s going to be a fight.
But I don’t want it. I’m just pretending I do. Come on, do you really think I’d battle it out for that bouquet and then show it to Mitch? He’d probably quietly lose his mind. I know we’re moving fast, but not that fast.
So I put on a bit of a show, acting like I’m going to leap over all of them to get that bouquet. Caroline sizes us up over her shoulder before she turns away and tosses it.
Right at…
Stella.
The flowers fall into her hands as if it’s meant to be. We all start pointing and looking over at Carter, who appears a little surprised. He and Stella are madly in love, but I don’t believe he’s thought about marriage.
Yet.
Poor dude.
Anyway.
The garter toss happens next, and lo and behold, it’s Jared, Sarah’s boyfriend, who catches it. Stella and Jared take photos together—never a missed photo opportunity at this wedding,