making its way toward the overpowering magnet in the center of the room.”
“Like resistance is feudal.”
“Feudal?” I said with a laugh. “I think you mean futile. Although a feudal resistance would be pretty cool. Lots of swords and pitchforks.”
“I know the right word. Maybe I’m more nervous than I thought,” she said, putting her hand over her stomach. Her phone beeped, and she looked at it. “The boys already left and our car is here, down in the lobby.”
“Noah really thought of everything, didn’t he?”
“So did Allan. Look at this.” She pointed at the small table in front of us, and I saw a bouquet of daisies. Her favorite.
“So sweet,” I said, handing the flowers to her. “So if that’s everything, we should get going.”
“Wait!” She stood up. “That’s not everything. I need that bridal poem thing. Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.”
“Okay. Your dress is borrowed. And I’m your oldest friend, so I can be your something old.”
She smiled. “Right. And my earrings are new—Allan gave them to me as a wedding gift.”
I reached up to the clasp of my necklace. “And here’s your something blue.” I put it around her neck. “You’re ready. Let’s go get you a husband.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
While part of me had expected the ceremony to be cheesy, it was surprisingly perfect. There were no Elvis or Michael Jackson impersonators officiating. Just a nice older gentleman whose wife was playing the organ. Shelby got her walk-down-the-aisle moment, and the way Allan’s eyes lit up at seeing her—it made me feel better knowing how well she’d be loved and cared for.
Then I saw Noah, and even though I’d seen him in a tux twice before, him in his suit still hit me like a frying pan to the head. He was so handsome that I had to remind myself to stop stealing peeks at him and pay attention to the wedding.
But during the ceremony, while they were promising to love and honor one another, I couldn’t help but glance over at Noah again. Who was looking directly at me with the expression Shelby had described—there was so much softness and tenderness in his eyes that it made my heart stutter, and I had to look away.
Because I could see this. I could see having this. With him.
Which was obviously insane.
Once they were declared husband and wife and they kissed, we cheered for them along with the officiant and his wife. Then everybody had to sign their marriage certificate, and some part of me liked the permanency of both me and Noah being their witnesses. No matter what else happened, we’d at least always be linked in that way.
“We’re off!” Shelby said. She hugged me. Then she hugged Noah and thanked him again for everything, as did Allan.
They ran out, and we followed behind. Shelby stopped in the doorway to turn and give me her bouquet. “There’s no one else to catch it,” she told me with a wink before linking her arm through her husband’s as they headed out to the waiting SUV.
And I felt . . . at a loss. I don’t know what I thought was going to happen after the wedding, and I should have fully expected Shelby and Allan to ditch us, but it was still strange.
Noah seemed to sense this, and he put his arm around my shoulders to lead me over to the other car. When we got in, he asked, “What would you like to do? It’s too late to see a show, but we could walk around the Strip or maybe try gambling.”
“I don’t gamble. Accounting major, remember? I don’t play games when I know I won’t win.”
“Huh.”
“What was that sound for?”
“Nothing. Just an interesting piece of insight.” He unbuttoned his suit jacket and leaned back against the seat. “I have something in mind. A surprise, if you’re up for it.”
“Is this where I accuse you of kidnapping me?”
He grinned and leaned forward to press a kiss against my throat, in that hollow near my ear that I loved so much. It both turned my knees to melted butter and caught me off guard. This wasn’t technically in public, but it was the first time he’d kissed me anywhere besides his house.
Then I saw his eyes, the way they danced, and realized he was teasing me. He’d wanted to see what would happen if he did exactly what he just did.
“Two can play that game,” I told him.
“As they can most games,” he responded, ignoring my