Summer Breeze Kisses - Addison Moore Page 0,433

finger. “And go!”

Lex practically yanks me across the runner like a kite, causing the animated brunette to blow that gilded whistle around her neck like a ref at the Super Bowl.

“No way, no how, young lady!” She runs Lex and me back to go and proceeds to demonstrate the proper cadence in which we should strut down the aisle. “Nice—and slow,” she says with each staccato step, her voice mimicking the rhythm. “Take—your time.” She takes another dramatic step forward. “It’s not—a race.” She motions for the two of us to begin. “And go!”

Levi stands at the opposite end of the room, which at the moment seems to have stretched infinitely. The white runner splits the banquet hall, and there’s an arc at the far end that waits to receive us.

“Don’t get any ideas, Collins,” she grits through her teeth—her eyes set dead ahead.

My stomach relaxes, and I feel as if I can breathe for the first time in four days. At least she’s speaking to me.

“Don’t you get any ideas, Maxfield.” I dish it right back, hoping she’s buying it. With a woman like Lex, there is no room for groveling, no room for shriveling and begging. For as much as she likes to be in control, she likes to be controlled.

“What?” she hisses as we slowly throb our way down the aisle. “Don’t you even waste your time with that ridiculous reverse psychology. You and I both know you messed up big time.”

The two of us keep our gazes locked ahead, but I can feel the heat index rising to my left. Lex is boiling mad, and I won’t lie—I don’t mind it one bit.

“No one says big time anymore.” I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling.

“Oh hush. I don’t care what you or your trendy friends say. I’m saying it, and that’s all that matters. You made a mistake, and now we’re both paying for it.”

My heart jackknifes in my chest as if it’s just heard the magic words it’s been waiting for all night.

“Both paying for it?” I’m only slightly amused by this because I happen to believe it. “So you do want me back.”

“Never!” Her voice rises, incredulous.

We hit the makeshift altar, but instead of breaking separate ways, Lex remains glued to my side, and we both end up to the right of Levi. He looks at me a moment before ticking his head toward her, but I choose to ignore my good friend. I’m not as interested in the rules and regulations of his holy matrimony as I am in keeping Lex by my side.

“Face it, Lex”—I tip my head back as Raven and Brody come up next, and Low dances her way down the aisle with her sister—“you know we’re not finished by a long shot. Deep in your heart, you realize I wouldn’t do anything to spite you. You’re just too afraid to look at the facts for what they are.”

The human Chihuahua vibrates her way over, her red glasses oscillating over her nose. “What’s this?” she squawks, plucking Lex from me, and if I had to guess, Lex didn’t want to leave any more than I wanted her to.

“You’re to break left when he breaks right.” The jumpy wedding planner scuttles in a circle. “Under no circumstances are the two of you to remain together!”

Low glares at me, so does Raven, but I don’t dare look at Lex. I know for a fact that both Low and Raven have been apprised of the sorry state of our relationship.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Lex sings, practically giddy for the first time in her life, and I take a moment to steal a glance her way. She’s gloating, her lips pulled into a self-satisfied smile. “In fact”—she catches my gaze and holds it—“I don’t think we should ever be together again.”

Low jumps over to her flame-haired friend and nearly loses an eye on that spike strip Lex has lined herself with. “Ho, ho, ho!” she belts it out like old St. Nick. Only something tells me come Christmas morning, the odds of finding Lex in my stocking are slim to none. “Play nice, you two. The big day is less than a week away.” She turns to me, holding her papier-mâché bouquet smug to her hip. Low looks pissed, but deep inside, I’d like to think she’s rooting for us. “How about a ceasefire until after kickoff? Kickoff being the point in the evening when Levi and I make our