Wedding Date (Dating #6) - Monica Murphy Page 0,71
myself I’m being ridiculous. Kelsey has nothing to be worried about.
And neither do I.
“Tell me what happened earlier,” I murmur close to her ear when the servers enter the room and cause a commotion. My parents start freaking out, panicked over what they should order, which stresses my grandmother out too. Weird.
Kelsey turns to look at me, our faces so close I could easily dip my head and kiss her. But I don’t. Not yet. “What do you mean?”
“Why you were late to the rehearsal?”
“Oh, right.” She frowns, her forehead wrinkling. “It was the strangest thing. I suddenly felt nauseous. So nauseous I ran into the bathroom and vomited.” She looks vaguely embarrassed.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Concern touches my voice, and she sends me a weird look, like she’s surprised I care. “Are you still feeling nauseous?”
“Oh. No, it passed.” Her smile is one of relief. “Alex made me leave work early and let me stay in one of the rooms. I took a nap. That’s why I was late. I overslept and had to get ready in a hurry.”
“And this is the result?” I whistle low, my gaze appreciative as I obviously scan her. “Imagine if you’d had more time. You probably would’ve killed me dead.”
She rests her hand on my knee, her touch searing me through the fabric. “I bet you want to slip your fingers under my skirt.”
“I definitely want to slip my fingers somewhere,” I tell her, reaching for her thigh when I hear someone call my name.
Glancing over my shoulder, I spot Jessica standing at the head of the table, a hopeful expression on her face and with Craig by her side.
Fucking great.
“Be nice,” Kelsey whispers, and I wonder if she saw the disappointment on my face when I spotted them. Or maybe she just…knew.
She’s intuitive like that.
“Hey, Jessica, Craig.” I rise to my feet, and Craig pulls me into a hug, slapping my shoulder extra hard. I then hug Jessica, but I keep my distance, considering her earlier words made me angry.
Kelsey stands as well, flanking my side, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders, holding her close. “This is my girlfriend, Kelsey,” I announce proudly.
Craig stares at her, bug-eyed. He doesn’t even try to hide his obvious surprise. “Holy shit, cuz. You found yourself a knockout.”
I laugh, but I sound annoyed so I stop. “Kelsey, meet my outspoken cousin, Craig.”
“Nice to meet you,” Kelsey says, holding out her hand.
He takes it, pumping it up and down, staring at her in wonderment. “Great meeting you too. Glad you could make it to our wedding.”
“Hello. I’m Jessica,” my ex says, thrusting her hand toward Kelsey, who takes it gingerly. Almost as if she doesn’t want to touch her.
That’s my girl. With my…ex-girl. This is awkward.
“I’m Kelsey. Hi. How are you?” She sounds breathless. Carefree. She releases Jessica’s hand and immediately slides her fingers through mine. Forming a united front. I relax a little once she does.
“Tired,” Jess answers honestly. “Nervous. Tomorrow is a big day.”
“I’m sure,” Kelsey says, arching her brow. “Planning a wedding is a stressful thing.”
“I’ll say.” Jess’s nervous laughter makes me uncomfortable.
I don’t know what she’s trying to get at, but I don’t like it.
“Well, I’m sure everything will turn out wonderfully tomorrow. You can’t go wrong, having your wedding here at Wilder,” Kelsey says, almost sounding like a commercial.
“That’s right. Theo mentioned you worked here at the hotel,” Jess says.
I never said one word to her about Kelsey or where she works. Someone’s been doing some digging.
“Yes, I’m assistant to the owner, Alexander Wilder,” Kelsey says proudly.
“Oh, really? We ordered our save the date cards and invitations from Noteworthy. His wife works there,” Jess says.
“I know,” Kelsey says. “Caroline is my friend.”
“Oh really?” Jessica appears surprised.
“Kelsey is very close to a rather large group of women who all work in downtown Carmel,” I say.
“Mostly,” Kelsey adds. “We lost one of our friends when she moved to Las Vegas to live with her boyfriend, who plays for the Raiders.”
“Well I’ll be damned. I think he’s from around here too.” He sends Jess a questioning look. “Too bad you’re not friends with her, babe. You could get us season passes or something.” Craig turns his attention to me. “Does your girlfriend get you into games at the new stadium?”
“No, we haven’t made it over there yet.” That’s not a bad idea, though I’m more of a Niner fan.