Love After All
Page 27

Molly grinned as she slipped her arm in Carter’s. “Funny how that worked out,” Molly said.
“I like my partner,” Carter said.
“You two will walk down the aisle together, then separate at the front of the altar and take your places on the stone markers,” Pepper said.
They both nodded, then headed down the aisle.
“Next are Will and Jane.”
Jane and Will smiled at each other and headed down the aisle.
Obviously, Des was matching up the couples, which made logical sense. At least those who were coupled up.
“After they go, it’s Sebastian and Chelsea.”
Her heart did a small leap in her chest, but she masked it by taking a step forward.
“I like my choice of partner, too,” Bash said, laying his hand over Chelsea’s.
“You’ll do. For now,” she said, trying her best not to make eye contact with Bash as they stopped at the last row of chairs.
They started walking, and Chelsea was conscious of her hand on Bash’s arm, his body so close to hers. She mentally tried not to walk too fast. This wasn’t her first time as a bridesmaid. She’d done it for several of her friends over the years. And Bash did a fine job keeping step with her.
She had to admit, though, that she was happy to reach the altar.
“Here, you’ll let go of his arm and make your way to your position,” Reverend Solis said. “Don’t go too fast.”
She nodded and made her way over to where Jane and Molly stood, then turned to watch Emma and Reid make their way down the aisle.
Obviously, that would be the only change in couples, since Des’s sister was the maid of honor and Logan’s brother was the best man, so those two would be paired up.
And last to come up was Colt, whom Des had also included as man of honor. He walked by himself and took his position on Des’s side, next to Penny.
After that, the reverend walked them through the ceremony and what would happen. They finished and headed back down the aisle, forcing Chelsea to once again walk with Bash.
At least he was quiet. She wasn’t sure whether that was helpful or made it worse, since his silence only made her more conscious of his body. Of what he might be thinking.
Which made her think. Which she shouldn’t be doing, because her thoughts were all about him.
Ugh.
But finally, it was over, and everyone headed to the guest lodge near the house, where there was catered food along with rows of tables.
Martha had wanted to cook, but Des had insisted the food tonight be catered.
“You have a big part in the wedding tomorrow,” Des told her when Martha frowned at the tablecloths and fancy settings. “Tonight and tomorrow, you get to sit back and enjoy yourself.”
Martha shook her head. “It’s weird not to cook and serve up the food when we have company.”
Logan put his arm around the woman who helped raise him. “Think of it as a vacation.”
She lifted her gaze to his and smiled. “I’ll try.”
They all took to their tables for a fantastic dinner. Pepper had taken care of the seating arrangements, and the wedding party was seated together. Since a lot of the couples were together or married, she ended up seated next to Bash, since they were partners in the wedding party.
She decided not to be uncomfortable with it. So she’d drunkenly kissed him. And he’d turned her down. She was an adult. She could handle this.
Mid-meal, she turned to him and asked, “How’s Lou doing?”
“Good. Like she’s lived in my house all her life. I took her in to see Emma on Monday for a checkup.”
“And?”
“Emma said she’s fine. She’s a healthy weight, and I managed to wrangle her shot records from Gerri, so she’s updated on all that. We’re good to go.”
Chelsea picked up her glass of wine and took a sip, then nodded. “I’m glad to hear that. I’ve been thinking a lot about … her.”
Bash’s lips ticked up. “Have you?”
“Yes.” She laid her wineglass down and focused her attention on the food.
“And how was your recovery from your night of debauchery?”
She looked around to make sure no one else had heard that. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“The night of the bachelorette party. When I found you passed out outside in the cold and carried you up to bed.”
“I don’t remember that at all, but thank you.”
He leaned in, his arm brushing hers. “Then you don’t remember kissing me.”
She turned her head, her gaze colliding with his, sending all her senses haywire. She struggled for balance. “A gentleman wouldn’t bring that up.”
“But you know I’m not a gentleman, Chelsea.”
“You were that night.”
He grinned. “So you do remember.”
Dammit. “It’s hazy. Bits and pieces only.”
His lips touched her ear as he leaned in to whisper to her, “I’ll be glad to refresh your memory.”
His breath was warm, caressing her neck, the left side of his body touching the right side of hers, causing chill bumps to break out all over her skin.
She looked around to see if anyone was watching. They were all engaged in conversation and no one was looking at her and Bash. She turned to face him, their lips only inches apart.
She remembered that kiss, oh so vividly, had replayed it in her head every night this week as she lay in bed, wondering what would have happened if he hadn’t been a gentleman, if he’d pressed her to the bed and done what she knew they both had wanted to do.