Once Upon A Half-Time: A Sports Romance - Sosie Frost Page 0,161

you, Nate. And the only way I’ll catch myself is if—”

“You don’t have to catch yourself. I’ll grab you. I’ll keep you safe.” I edged closer to her. “Give me the chance.”

“I can’t…” Her palms flattened on my chest. She didn’t push me away. “Things are going to get crazy.”

“Why?”

“Because now that Great Aunt Mildred died, the family has to come in for the funeral.” She shrugged. “We have two hundred and fifty on the wedding guest list, third quarters of them are our family. They’re all from out of town.”

I didn’t get it, but Mandy had a bad habit of thinking a couple steps ahead of where her feet were hitting. She glanced at me.

“They’re all coming now. For the funeral this weekend,” she said. “They’re not able to take time off again in three weeks to come back for the wedding. We’ve lost over a hundred people from the guest list already.”

Shit. Now I understood. No wonder Lindsey was bawling in the other room.

“I mean, we have Bryce’s family.” She shrugged. “But God, I don’t want to know what happens if we put Mom in a room with Mr. Washington. And I know—you and Dad said not to worry, but…”

She wanted to edge away. I didn’t let her. Her hands warmed my chest so perfectly. How was this woman so soft and gentle in everything she did?

Mandy frowned. “I need space. I can’t manage my family and figure this out at the same time.”

“Why not? Let me help.”

Her voice wavered. She looked at me, her eyes a beautiful honey sweetness that glistened as she gnawed her kissable lip.

“We need to talk. Really talk, about a lot of things.”

I wasn’t going anywhere. “Then let’s talk.”

“Not here.”

“Yes, here.” I bumped my forehead against hers. “I’m serious, Mandy. If you think you’re walking out of this kitchen without agreeing to come home with me tonight…”

“Nate, what I have to say is important. And it’s not something we can just…it’s going to change everything. Especially how you feel about me.”

If she feared I’d bolt because she said she had feelings for me, she was wrong.

I never expected I’d find someone who tempted me to stick around, to talk, to get involved. I’d figured every other man who trapped himself was following convention, damned to a life of responsibilities and emotional servitude to a woman who’d control his life.

Jesus, I was wrong.

Mandy wasn’t a trap. If anything, I bound my own hands and handed her the rope.

“Nate, when I slept with you that first time…when we were together?” Mandy’s words trembled. “Something happened. And I really wish…no. That’s not it. I’m happy that it did, but I don’t know if you’ll…damn it. This is so hard.”

Fuck it. We’d talk later.

In that moment, I realized how I could solve all our problems.

I grabbed her, tugging her close for a victorious kiss. She melted into me, and the heat of her body pulsed right to my cock.

But I wasn’t fucking her tonight. We wouldn’t have the time.

I had an idea, and it would save the fucking day.

The wedding was in trouble, and Mandy was too preoccupied trying to fix it that she didn’t have time to sort through what she felt for me. That ended now.

I dragged her to the living room. Lindsey hadn’t stopped crying, Bryce rubbed his temples, and Sandra argued on the phone with another family member cancelling their rsvp.

They quieted when I faced them.

“Your family is going to be in town this weekend?” I asked.

Lindsey sniffled and nodded.

“And Bryce, your family is local?”

He nodded. “Yep.”

“Fine. Have the wedding this weekend.”

Mandy collapsed against the couch. “What?”

“We’ll do it this weekend. Everyone will be in the area. It’s supposed to be good weather. You can get married at my dad’s church, and we’ll have the reception outside in the pavilion. Everyone can be there, and we’ll get it done right.”

I expected Lindsey to freak. So did Mandy. No one was more surprised than her when Lindsey bounded to her feet, leapt before me, and wrapped me in a hug.

“Nate, you are a genius!”

Mandy squeaked. “No, he’s not!”

“We’ll have the wedding this weekend! The dresses are ready. The tuxes are altered. We can order tables and chairs and make more decorations. Christmas lights and candles!” She turned to Mandy. “Remember wedding scenario D? Outdoor Fairy Haven? It’s back on.”

Mandy collapsed in the easy chair. “Back on?”

“Call Dad. Tell him you need the rest of the week off.” Lindsey grinned at Bryce. “We’re going to