Wedding Date (Dating #6) - Monica Murphy Page 0,70

speak to her.

“I’m so glad you’re here. You’ll have to introduce me to your girlfriend.” Her smile is fake as hell, and I don’t know why she bothers.

“At the dinner I’ll make sure to,” I say, offering a fake smile as well. “Don’t you think you should go find Craig?”

The phony smile falls from her face and she takes a step closer to me. “I want to talk to you.”

“No.”

An exasperated sound escapes her. “Later. Come on, Theo. We need to talk.”

“I have nothing to say to you,” I bite out.

“But there are things I need to tell you,” she practically whines. I don’t miss that tone in her voice. Not at all.

“And I don’t want to hear whatever it is you have to say,” I tell her, my voice low. My anger obvious. “We’re through, Jess. I’m not interested in your feelings or your misgivings about marrying Craig. That’s on you. You made your choice. I have nothing to do with this anymore.”

I leave her where she’s standing, making my way toward Kelsey, pleased to see her engaged in an animated conversation with my mother. I love that they get along. She gets along with all of my family. Jess did as well, but I think they like Kelsey better. I know I sure as hell do.

“There you are,” I tell my girlfriend, slipping my arm around her slender waist and pulling her in close. She goes with me easily, pressing her cheek against my shoulder before I lean down and drop a light kiss on her lips. “You okay?”

“I wasn’t feeling well earlier, but I’m okay now.” She smiles weakly. “I’ll tell you about it later.”

Concern fills me and I press a light kiss to her forehead. “You sure you’re all right?”

“I’m fine. Really.” Her gaze slides toward my parents, who are now both walking with my grandmother. “Your grandma is so sweet.”

“She’s pretty feisty,” I say, enjoying the easy way we all walk together toward the restaurant. “I’m sure you two will get along great.”

Kelsey laughs. “I get along with your entire family. They’re all so easy to talk to.”

I chance a glance at her, not wanting her to know what I’m thinking. But what I’m thinking is this: she’s come a long way from the woman I first met. The one who was very skeptical, a little distrusting, and full of attitude. That woman had her defenses up—they were constructed of impossibly tall, steel walls. These last few weeks, she’s become open and warm. All that earlier tension and mistrust is gone. I think I had something to do with that.

I actually know I had something to do with that.

“You look gorgeous,” I whisper close to her ear. “That dress should be outlawed.”

“I’m completely covered up,” she says, her brows shooting up.

“Your legs aren’t.” My gaze dips to her chest. “Neither is that.”

She laughs. “I thought it was just sexy enough to cause a stir, but not too big of a stir.”

“You would be correct in that assessment,” I tell her.

“Wait until you see what I have planned tomorrow.” Her smile is devious.

Mine turns wicked. “Can’t wait to peel you out of this later tonight.”

“If you’re lucky,” she teases.

Fuck yes, I’m going to get lucky.

So is she.

We eventually make it to the restaurant, where the manager greets Kelsey personally. This impresses my parents and grandmother, and I explain that Kelsey works at the hotel and she’s the personal assistant of the owner of the entire corporation.

Now they’re even more impressed.

The party is escorted to a private room in the back of the restaurant, and when we walk inside, there are three long tables set up for everyone to sit at. I head straight for the last table, knowing the bride and groom won’t want to sit there. They’ll want the spotlight on them the entire weekend, which is their right. It’s their wedding, after all.

I settle in with Kelsey by my side, my parents across from us and my grandma sitting next to my mom. There are menus resting on each plate, and I pick it up to give it a cursory glance.

“It’s a limited menu tonight,” Kelsey explains to everyone. “This is what we usually do for events like these. Makes it a lot easier on our kitchen.”

“So smart,” Mom says, her generous smile aimed right at Kelsey. “You enjoy working here, Kelsey?”

“I love it. Wilder Corp is a wonderful employer.” Worry seems to flicker in her gaze, making me frown, and then I remind