Nash Brothers Box Set - Carrie Aarons Page 0,119

bill. Traditionally, the groom’s family was supposed to have this honor, but since Presley didn’t have the closest relationship with her parents, she and Keaton had flipped the script. They wanted Eliza and Hattie to give toasts at the wedding reception, and those two were the ones who’d been around for much of the planning. Presley’s parents didn’t seem to mind, and so far, her mother and sister had behaved themselves, so I didn’t have to give anyone the maid of honor beatdown.

Wine and beer had flown freely, out-of-town guests had been introduced or reconnected, and all in all, it had been a night of merriment. If not a blur for me. Being a maid of honor was no joke, and I was getting a crash course in hospitality with the job. My goal was to keep Presley free of worry and drama, and out of any technical details so she could enjoy the entire weekend. Not that she was a bridezilla by any means, but she and Keaton deserved to soak up as much couple time in the next two days as they were able to.

And now, Kip’s is almost empty, save for immediate family and bridal party members. I’m standing with Presley, Hattie, and the third bridesmaid, Ryan, who is Presley’s best friend from New York City.

Ryan is … my opposite. In a good way, I genuinely like her. But the girl is crazy with a capital C. She handles whiskey like a Southern gentleman, has no filter, wore a black silk slip dress, that looks like it’s better suited to the bedroom, to the rehearsal dinner, and has no problem striking up a conversation with anyone.

“So, which Nash brother is on the table for me to sleep with tomorrow?” She hooks her long, thin arm around Presley’s shoulder.

Oh, did I mention she looks like a Victoria’s Secret model? One of the ones from the nineties, all natural puffy lips and perfectly rounded thighs.

“The twins are single, but they’re children.” Presley snorts.

“How about lumberjack brooder over there? He looks yummy.” She licks her lips as her gaze travels to Bowen.

My veins singe with jealousy, and I’m speaking before I even know what I’m doing. “He’s off limits.”

Presley looks smugly satisfied that I claimed Bowen, and Ryan holds up her hands in surrender. “It’s cool, Lily Pad, you can have the hot fireman. I like to toy with boys … maybe I’ll give Coder McGee over there a whirl.”

Ryan and Forrest might make a good match, but it would probably end in disaster. “Forrest is all yours.”

“It’s a good weekend to be a Nash man.” Hattie chuckles. “If you aren’t getting married, you’re part of the meat market swap. It’s a win all around.”

“Grandma!” Presley laughs, hugging her grandmother.

“Who knew there was a coven of hot men in this small town? It’s like Twilight, but they aren’t sucking the life out of your neck. Or maybe they are. Could be hot.” Ryan shrugs.

I feel a hand on my elbow and look up, Presley’s face turning to the visitor, too.

“Oh, hi.” I breathe, seeing Bowen standing beside me.

It’s hard to suck oxygen into my body when he’s so close, wearing a suit no less. Gosh, he’s so ruggedly handsome it should be illegal. Women everywhere are in danger of passing out when this man cleans up for a fancy dinner.

“Thank you for tonight, Bowie.” Presley winks at him, using the nickname his brothers call him that he hates.

“You’re joining the family tomorrow, so I guess I’ll put up with that bullshit right now. But once you’re a full-fledged Nash, don’t think I won’t pull pranks if you keep the Bowie crap up,” Bowen jokes with her.

Presley looks between us, her smile turning to a scheming smirk. “Noted. Now, why doesn’t the best man walk my maid of honor home? Make sure she gets there safe?”

I roll my eyes at her, knowing exactly what she’s getting at. I haven’t told her, or anyone really, what’s been happening with Bowen. I didn’t want to spoil one of the most important times in her life, especially if things turned sour between her soon-to-be brother-in-law and me before the wedding day. No one needed our drama in their lives. Heck, I didn’t even need our drama, but I loved the man so what was I supposed to do?

“I would be honored to.” Bowen holds out his arm.

Presley looks like she might keel over, so shocked that her plan worked that I kind of want