through the refrigerator, pulling out the eggs and bacon. “Toast those English muffins, would you?”
“Yeah, sure.” Steele didn’t make a move to do so. Instead he stared at me so long I was uncomfortable.
“What’s wrong?”
“Does it really look like that?”
“Like you’re attracted to her? Fuck yeah. You’re too emotional for someone who doesn’t care.”
“I can’t stand her. That’s why I’m emotional. She is the most irritating, selfish, obnoxious, self-righteous woman I’ve ever had the misfortune of being around.”
“Whatever.” Call me a bad friend, but I had way more pressing worries than Steele’s issues with a woman he claimed to hate. Today was the end of Lanie’s two weeks on the island. We hadn’t talked about it, but the deadline hung over us all week; even last night it wasn’t far from my mind.
At noon, I picked up Easton’s mother and brothers, Max and Zane, from the airport. Big E was the middle child. I knew all of them from my junior hockey days. We’d played on opposing teams. Mrs. Black was a lovely woman, the consummate hockey mom. Always ready with a needle and thread, even duct tape, if last-minute repairs were needed.
At five p.m., I was standing on the lawn, escorting guests to their seats, and attempting to calm down Easton. The guy was about to lose his cookies and his composure. He was a fucking mess, to put it not so politely.
His brothers had opted not to be groomsmen because their attendance had been touch-and-go up until the last minute due to conflicts, but they’d made it here and were enjoying zero responsibilities. In fact, they were standing in the shade talking with different players, while I was sweating my ass off.
Despite my other duties, I had one eye constantly scanning the area for glimpses of Lanie. She was striking in a flowered sundress in orange and pink, probably one bought for the original wedding. I noticed most of the staff were dressed accordingly. While the color scheme had seemed bizarre at first, it actually worked. I liked it.
Juniper was the maid of honor and Axel was the best man. Steele and I were groomsmen, while Geneva and Cin were bridesmaids. Someone’s idea of an evil joke was to pair Steele and Cin together. I’m not sure who made that decision, but I’d put my money on Easton.
Fifteen minutes before the wedding was to start, almost everyone had taken their seats. Easton escorted his mom to the front row where his brothers already sat. Fran, who, along with Howard, was a former in-law of Caro, also sat in the front row. I guess they were more like parents to Caro than her real parents.
I wasn’t much for weddings. In fact, I avoided them at all costs. Considering the divorce rate, the amount of money spent on these ceremonies was crazy stupid, but no one asked me. But I had a good feeling about Easton and Caro. They’d gone through hell to get to this moment, and their marriage would go the distance if any marriage did.
The wedding was about to begin. Axel and Easton took their places in front of an arbor decorated with orange and pink roses.
I walked behind the last row of chairs and waited. Geneva took my arm and smiled up at me. I smiled back. Steele stood behind me with Cin. I heard them arguing quietly about his boutonniere being on crooked.
Geneva turned around and hissed, “Give it a rest.”
The two immediately lapsed into an embarrassed silence.
“Thanks,” I whispered.
“Anytime,” she shot back.
I caught Lanie’s eye and winked. She stood discreetly on the other side of the block of chairs somewhat behind a six-foot bouquet of flowers. She was the hottest female on the island in my biased opinion. I knew she’d been nervous about being in pictures and the press being here, but Easton and Caro had insisted the venue was secured by Ethan Parker’s security team, and the press wouldn’t be allowed inside, nor would cell phones or cameras.
I used all the willpower I possessed to draw my gaze back to the aisle I was supposed to be walking down.
“Slow down, it’s not a horse race,” Geneva chastised me.
“Aren’t you the bossy one today.”
“Ask Axel. I’m always the bossy one.”
Her words had the desired effect. I smiled and relaxed a little. I didn’t have a fucking clue what I was so nervous about. I wasn’t the one tying the knot.
We paused in front of the arbor. I moved to stand beside Axel, and