and glowing candles adorned every table, along with gilt chairs and snowy tablecloths. Sloane could only imagine how much it had cost. Who was paying for this shindig? She knew Levi’s family was wealthy, so it made sense that Jacob’s family was also probably well off since he and Levi had grown up in the same neighborhood, but was Tara’s family rich also? Although these days it wasn’t necessarily the bride’s family who paid for the wedding. Lots of couples paid for it themselves.
Levi came to visit a few times during dinner, pausing with a hand on the back of Sloane’s chair to exchange some banter with his family. He was so freakin’ gorgeous in that tux he took her breath away every time she saw him. She just wished he wasn’t sitting so far away.
As if knowing what she was thinking, he bent down and murmured in her ear, “Duty’s almost done. Once the dinner’s over, we make a few speeches, cut the cake and I have the obligatory dance with the maid of honor.” His hand rubbed over her back, the skin bared by her dress. Tingles slid down her spine.
“That cute redhead?”
He gave her a slow, heated smile. “What? She’s cute? I hadn’t noticed. It’s just Tara’s friend Brynn. Anyhoo. Soon I’ll be done and you and I can do those things we talked about.”
“Um, what things?”
“Slow dancing. Making out in a corner. Licking champagne off your sexy body.”
Heat flared low inside her. “Oh, right. Those things.” She reached for her wineglass and took a big gulp, then whispered, “Your parents are sitting right there.”
He gave her a wicked grin as he moved away.
Sloane had to admit she enjoyed the dinner. Levi’s family made sure to include her in conversation, although there were a few times she felt a little lost. She loved that they all had a sense of humor, which shouldn’t have been surprising given Levi’s wit. She did sense Linda and Michael’s interest in her, though they kept things very casual and light.
Then it was time for the speeches. Tara’s father made a lovely toast to the bride and groom, and Jacob replied to that and toasted the bridesmaids. And then it was Levi’s turn. He took the microphone with an ease that again shouldn’t have surprised her.
After thanking Jacob on behalf of the bridesmaids, Levi began. “I’m told the best man’s speech should last as long as the groom can last in the bedroom.” He paused. “So thanks and have a great night everyone!” He began to walk away from the mic and after a beat, a roar of laughter filled the ballroom. Sloane watched Jacob cover his face with his hand, shaking his head but grinning.
Levi, also grinning, returned to the mic. “Seriously, Jacob, you’re a great guy and I’m honored to have you as my friend and sometimes partner in crime. We won’t get into all the crimes with this mixed audience.” He paused, smiling as people laughed. “I’ve been his partner in crime on a few wild nights, but also a friend he can tell anything. And I do mean anything—which gave me a lot of material for this speech tonight.” As people laughed again, he shot Tara a wry smile. “Don’t worry, Tara, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. And Los Angeles.” He paused. “And Bangkok.”
Tara shook her head and lifted her glass at him.
“Jacob and I have known each other since elementary school. You’re like the brother I never had, Jacob, only better because you didn’t actually live with me.” More laughter rippled through the crowd. “We walked our dogs together, raced our bikes, had our first big make out session together.” Shocked titters greeted this statement. “No, no, not like that!” He waved his hands to more laughter. “Jacob was in the closet while I had my first make out session.” The guests laughed again. “No, no, not ‘in the closet’…I mean literally, he was hiding in the closet.” He grinned.
“This is the guy I accidentally gave a black eye, played Pokemon with and got drunk with…but enough about the bachelor party.”
More laughs. Sloane smiled, elbows on the table, wineglass in hand. She had to give a little eye roll at mention of the bachelor party. Yeah, that hadn’t been Pokemon they’d been playing.
“Saturday night has always been our night to hit the clubs and some of you may not know it, but Jacob is a great dancer. He often charms the girls with his amazing