The Wedding Pact Box Set - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,106

if they’d happened upon a particularly trashy episode of reality television. Finally, she returned her gaze to him, her orneriness returning. “And walk away from a fifty-grand party? Not on your life.”

He kissed her, his joy overshadowing the fear that lurked in the shadows of his heart. He still had to come clean, but not yet. Not now. He might lose her when he did, and he wasn’t ready to take that risk.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him and kissing him back.

The crowd of onlookers—strangers and friends and family alike—broke into applause and a round of “Woots,” undoubtedly led by Libby.

When he lifted his head, he noticed two people were not participating: Kevin and Blair. They stood together now, glaring at him as if he were public enemy number one. He could deal with their animosity—even hatred—as long as they didn’t try to take Megan from him.

“Well,” Knickers said, breaking into the celebration. “Now that this nonsense has been taken care of, can we finish the rehearsal?” She pointed a finger at Kevin. “I’ll deal with you later.”

Josh returned to the other end of the lawn next to Noah, Kevin shooting darts of hate at him the whole time. Too relieved to care, Josh took a deep breath, letting himself relax. He couldn’t believe how close he’d come to losing her. He couldn’t believe how panicked he’d felt at the prospect.

Noah clapped his hand on Josh’s shoulder and leaned in close. “Good save there, Joshy.”

Anger rushed over him, and before he could think about it, he hissed, “This isn’t a game, Noah. She’s important to me.”

An uncharacteristic solemnity covered Noah’s face. “I know she is.”

Josh blinked, words escaping him.

“I know you, Josh . . . You love this girl. I’m sorry for what I . . .” He cleared his throat. “We’ll figure out a way to make it work.”

In the entirety of his twenty-nine years, Josh couldn’t remember Noah taking the side of love or romance. He thought it was a hyped-up emotion that quickly ran its course. But as he sorted through his shock, he registered the word Noah had used: love. Josh started to protest, but Kevin, who’d been standing as far from them as the situation could warrant, leaned closer. “Do you boys have something you want to tell me about my sister?”

Josh shook his head, his back tensing. “No.”

If this wedding were real, he’d be tempted to invite Kevin to the parking lot to discuss this further. But he reminded himself that Megan’s brother’s animosity was really for Jay. He wasn’t sure whether to deck him or cheer him on for finally coming to her defense.

Kevin edged closer, not stopping until he stood a foot away. “I don’t trust you. Something strange is going on here, and I’m going to prove it before Megan makes the biggest mistake of her life.”

“Kevin!” Nicole shouted while pointing to his preordained spot. “This is your last warning. Get back into place.”

Knickers began the practice drill, and since Josh’s job seemed to consist mostly of standing at the front, he had time to think about his brother’s words. Could Noah have read him correctly? He really liked Megan. He lusted for her like he’d never lusted for a woman before, but love? How could you fall in love with someone in a matter of days?

They wrapped up the rehearsal and left for the restaurant. Megan’s mother had reserved a private room at a steak restaurant closer to their home. Because of the delay from all the drama, Neil and Mitch were already waiting for the group at the restaurant.

As everyone headed down the hall to the room, Josh snagged Megan’s hand and pulled her out the front door, into the warm summer evening. She seemed almost relieved; her brother, of all people, had ridden to the restaurant with them, so there hadn’t been an opportunity for them to speak privately.

Josh led her a little ways down the sidewalk, then took both of her hands in his. “I’m worried about you. How are you doing?”

She gave him a hesitant smile. “I’m better.”

“So we’re doing this?”

She searched his eyes for a moment. “I guess we are.”

He lowered his mouth to hers, giving her a gentle kiss. When she sighed and leaned into him, something tightened in his chest. Suddenly he realized that if it came down to her or his employees, he wasn’t sure he’d pick his employees. He was seriously considering giving up a thirty-year-old business