running around, snapping pictures. Naomi must be making it easy for you. She’s such a beautiful bride.”
“It’s been . . . a snap.”
“I’ve gotten some really nice pictures myself. Those digital cameras practically work themselves, don’t they?”
“Hardly need me at all. You’ll have to excuse me. I have to go pretend to work.”
When Carter caught up with her, Mac was taking candids on the dance floor.
“I’m sorry. I don’t think she meant to be insulting, but she’s an idiot and can’t help it.”
“No problem.” She switched cameras, handed him the other. “Fresh memory card. Remember how to do it?”
“Yes.”
“They’re decorating the limo. I want to go get a few shots out there before they bring in the cake.” She started out with Carter in her wake. “So a year ago—the breakup?”
“The . . . right. More or less. We were together almost that long, and lived together for about eight months. Maybe it was nine. Then she decided she wanted to live with someone else. So she did.”
Mac paused. “She hurt you.”
“Not as much as she should’ve been able to, given the situation. Which means we weren’t perfect for each other. Far from it.”
“If you lived with her you must’ve been in love with her.”
“No. I wanted to be in love with her. It’s not the same thing at all. Mackensie,” he began as they moved outside.
“Shit, damn, fuck!”
“Excuse me?”
“SBP. Red alert!” she said into her headset. “SBP sighted south side of main entrance. CBBM’s with her. Come on, Carter, we’ve got to head them off until reinforcements get here.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
HE WASN’T SURE WHAT HE INTENDED TO DO, AND WAS LESS sure of what she intended to do. But when Mac cut across the snowy lawn, Carter instinctively picked her up.
“What? What?”
“You’re only wearing shoes.”
“So are you! Put me down! I can’t project a stern and forbidding demeanor when you’re carrying me. Down, down, or they’ll get by us.”
The minute he set her down, she was off. In a kind of lope, Carter thought. A long-legged gazelle leaping through the snow. He wasn’t graceful, he knew. But he was fast when he had to be.
He passed her. Carter figured his ungainly slide on the path, thanks to his now ruined and snow-slicked shoes, cut back on the impact of the barrier, but he blocked the forward motion of the furious best man and his current amore.
“I’m sorry. Mr. and Mrs. Lester have expressly ordered that Ms. Poulsen not be admitted to this event.”
“She’s with me, and we’re going in.”
Not just furious, Carter noted, but a little bit drunk. “Again, I’m sorry, but we have to respect the wishes of the bride and groom.”
Just slightly out of breath, Mac reached them. “You were told, specifically and repeatedly, that your friend here isn’t allowed.”
“Donny.” Roxanne tugged on Donny’s sleeve. “You said it was all right.”
A combination of anger and embarrassment heated Donny’s face. “It’s all right because I say it is. It’s my brother’s wedding, and I can bring whoever I want to bring. Meg’s bent, and that’s too bad. But she doesn’t run my life. Out of my way.” He jabbed a finger at Mac and Carter. “You’re just the hired help.”
“She’s not going in,” Mac said. Too many trips to the bar, Mac calculated, so his ego, his pride, his resentment all swam in a pool of alcohol.
Where the hell was the backup?
“You just said it yourself, it’s your brother’s wedding. If she’s more important to you than his happiness today, then you can turn around and go with her. This is private property, and she’s not welcome at this time.”
“Donny.” Roxanne tugged at his arm again. “There’s no point—”
“I said you’re with me.” He whirled back to Mac. “Who the hell do you think you are? You don’t tell me about my brother. Now move!” Temper ripe in his eyes, he planted a hand on Mac’s shoulder and shoved.
Like a flash, Carter stood between them. “Don’t touch her again. Now, you’re drunk, and you’re obviously stupid so I’ll factor that in. You need to cool off and calm down, because you really don’t want to do this.”
“You’re right. I want to do this.”
He smashed his fist into Carter’s face. Carter’s head snapped back, but he didn’t give ground. Roxanne squealed, Mac cursed. Before she could leap forward, Carter pushed her back behind him.
“She’s not going in. You’re not going back in. All you’ve proven is that you’re too selfish to think of anyone but yourself. You’ve embarrassed Ms. Poulsen,