around a bouquet of peonies, and squeezed it tight.
I squeezed hers right back.
Not long later, I was momentarily distracted from my concerns about bumping into Jack. The photographer took so long with the pictures on the boardwalk, at the inn, and on the beach, Jess felt faint and Bailey excused the bridesmaids from the rest of the photo shoot.
Dahlia, Ivy, and I walked Jess back to the hotel where Cooper, Jeff King, Michael, and Jack were waiting together. The sight of Jack standing among them, looking sexy in his tailored suit, brought my earlier worries crashing back.
“You okay?” Jess asked as we approached the men.
“Why are you asking Em if she’s okay?” Dahlia frowned. “You’re the one who was about to pass—oh, Jack, right? Gotcha.”
“I’m fine.” I gave them all a strained smile.
“That was the least convincing fine I’ve ever heard,” Ivy commented.
Cooper strode toward us, a deep scowl on his face. “You all right?” He took Jess from us, running his hands down her arms. “I was just saying they had you out in that sun for too long.”
“I’m fine, I’m fine.” She rested against him, looking wilted. “I just need a glass of water and some shade.”
Before any of us could say a word, Cooper escorted Jess into the hotel.
Michael and Jeff approached.
“Do you need us to stay with you?” Dahlia asked under her breath.
“I need to talk to Jack alone.”
“C’mon, dahlin’, let’s get you girls a drink.” Michael took hold of Dahlia’s hand and gestured for us all to go inside.
“I’ll be right in,” I said. Michael nodded and wrapped his arm around Dahlia’s waist.
For a moment, I was a little taken aback at the way Jeff gazed so fiercely at Ivy. She stared up at him like she’d never seen him before. To be fair, he looked incredibly handsome in his suit.
“Drink?” he asked her.
“Sure.”
He held out his arm, and she took it.
They never broke eye contact the whole time.
Interesting.
My attention moved past them to Dahlia and Michael. As they neared the hotel entrance, Michael whispered something in Dahlia’s ear that made her laugh.
My gut twisted, watching him grin as he opened the door for her.
Ivy and Jeff followed them inside.
Finally, I couldn’t avoid him any longer. Especially since he was walking toward me.
“You look beautiful,” Jack said, sincere and sexy.
I scowled at him.
His lips twitched like he thought I was cute, which was more than mildly irritating. I was hot, a little nauseated, and I wasn’t allowed to drown my sorrows in champagne. And I loved champagne. It would be a bad idea to piss me off.
I tilted my chin up and straightened my shoulders as I forced myself to meet his gaze. “I just wanted to say that I’d like to enjoy my friend’s wedding without having to deal with this.” I gestured between us.
“Em—”
“We’ll talk after the wedding. Just … leave me be for now. Please.”
Jack exhaled slowly, shaking his head a little. I could feel his exasperation. But then he nodded, his soulful eyes boring into mine. “I can do that.”
I sighed with relief. “Thank you.”
Once inside, the hotel’s air conditioning cooled my heated skin, offering me a small reprieve from physical discomfort. If only its powers extended to my emotional agitation. Seeing Jess and Dahlia with their guys and Ivy and Jeff standing together near Cat and Joey, I hurried over to them. While Jess and Joey drank water, everyone else had a flute of champagne in hand.
“Emery?” Cat held one out to me.
“You know, I’m a little hot. I think I’ll just have some water.”
Jess reached behind her on the table at their backs and grabbed a glass for me. I gave her a grateful smile.
“You look pretty, Emery,” Joey said, gazing up at me with his usual bright adoration.
As always, it made my heart feel a million times bigger.
“And you look very handsome in that tux.”
He beamed at me. “Will you dance with me first? A guy’s gotta stake his claim.”
I struggled not to laugh. As did everyone else. Except Cat, who shot Cooper an amused but accusatory glare.
Cooper chuckled. “Why am I getting the look?”
“Because where else would he have heard something like that?”
“Oh, it wasn’t Uncle Coop.” Joey shook his head. “I read it in one of those books you like so much. The ones with the motorcycles on the cover.”
Cat paled. “You did what? Did you take my e-reader?”
“Yeah.” He shrugged.
“Joey, what have I told you about that? When we get home, we’re going to have