Candy Hearts, Vol. 2

Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

GARRISON

I sat on the couch in the wedding party suite at the reception venue and took in the merriment around me. Ewan leaned against the vanity with his brand-new husband Miguel standing between his legs. They traded gentle, quick kisses as the rest of the wedding party chatted and played music.

“They’re so disgustingly happy.” Chett dropped onto the couch beside me and refilled my flute with the champagne bottle in his hand.

“They are. It’s good to see.”

“For people into that sort of thing.” He relaxed into the couch.

“Ever think you will be?”

Chett snorted. “Nah. Too much work. You?”

I thought of Lex, and a lightness filled my chest.

“What’s that?” Chett circled a pointed finger at my face.

“What’s what?” I wiped my face in case there were remnants from the protein bar I’d shoved in my mouth while driving to the reception venue.

“ That. ” His eyes widened. “Is that smile because of the hot guy you brought?” He waggled his eyebrows. “I thought you weren’t bringing anyone.”

Ewan lowered himself onto the couch arm on my other side. “Are we talking about Garrison’s date? He looks familiar.”

I looked up at him and smiled sheepishly. “He’s the dancer from your bachelor party.”

Ewan’s eyes widened. “I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on me. When did this happen?”

“Two days ago.”

Ewan playfully pushed my shoulder. “You could’ve told me last night when you said you were using your plus one. You still owe me the story you teased during the show.”

“There’s been plenty of wedding stuff going on. It could wait.”

“Um. Excuse you. That was the wrong decision. Spill.” Ewan leaned forward eagerly.

As I was about to explain, the wedding planner entered the room.

“The guests are seated and ready for your entrance. Shall we?” She looked at Ewan and Miguel.

Ewan stood. “Let’s get this party started.” Then he leaned toward me. “You’re not off the hook.” He squeezed my shoulder. “I can’t wait to properly meet him.”

Even on his wedding day, my best friend was worried about supporting the people close to him. He was incredible. And the look he gave me told me he understood it was more than bringing a random date.

We straightened our tux jackets, and Miguel’s sisters, two of his bridesmaids, checked their hair. We moved into the hallway outside the swanky hotel ballroom serving as the reception spot. The wedding planner arranged us into a line mirroring our ceremony procession order and gave us brief directions. As soon as she finished, she sent a quick text, and then one of Ewan’s favorite pop songs began blaring loud enough in the ballroom that I expected the closed doors to thump on their hinges.

Miguel’s best friend Artie looped their arm through mine. I wiggled to the beat as the wedding planner swung the double doors open. I couldn’t wait to see Lex in a few minutes. So far, he’d been the perfect wedding date. Before the ceremony, he’d delivered drinks and snacks to Ewan’s wedding party suite, then entertained himself while I focused on Ewan. I caught him passing a tissue to the crying wedding guest next to him at the ceremony. Frankly, it’d been hard to keep my attention off him during the vows when I was supposed to be watching my best friend get married.

Then, when we’d been segregated into the waiting room at the reception before the grand entrance, Lex had texted me a photo of him doing shots with Ewan’s grandma while they waited. I had a feeling I wouldn’t need to worry about him at all tonight, beyond making sure I got some time with him. Not because I needed to babysit him but because I wanted the pleasure of his company and to make memories. Something in my gut said there might be something here, and I wanted to take it seriously.

Two pairs of the wedding party strutted their way into the room to raucous cheers. The wedding planner gestured for Artie and me to go. Once I adjusted to the spotlights, I noticed the room was divided into two sections of tables with a path between them leading to the dance floor. The wedding party tables stood at the front of the room. Artie and I busted out our most ridiculous moves to raucous cheers. Twirling each other and shooting finger guns—I think I did the water sprinkler? It was a blur.

I was panting from exertion and adrenaline by the time we reached the other wedding party members lined up on the edge of the dance floor. My attention immediately landed on Lex sitting at one of the wedding party tables where he waited with the other plus ones. He grinned at me as he pretended to shoot me with finger guns, then blew on his fingertips before holstering them. My peal of laughter couldn’t be heard over the song. Yeah, I’d brought the right date.

Everyone stood and cheered for Ewan and Miguel as they made their way to us in a choreographed entrance. While clapping and cheering for them, my attention kept wandering to Lex. Within a few minutes, we were ushered to our seats, and I hurried over to join him.

“That was fun,” he said by way of greeting. “If I ever get married, I definitely want an entrance like that. Oh, and I took some photos and videos. I’ll AirDrop them to you later.”

He was so thoughtful. I licked my lips. Why did the mention of Lex and marriage get my pulse thumping? Not in the way of wanting to make a hasty exit, but something else. Something new. Way the hell too soon. Quit getting ahead of yourself.

“Ewan and Miguel are a blast. Expect a great playlist. Selecting a deejay was the most contentious decision of the entire event.”

Lex laughed. “My kind of people.” He leaned close. “Don’t worry about me, okay? Do whatever you’ve got to do tonight. I’m already making friends.” Lex waved his fingers at Ewan’s grandma.

“Keep an eye on that one. She can drink all of us under the table.”

The colorful lights reflected off Lex’s lips after he wet them.

“Speaking from experience?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Sounds like that’s a story I want to hear.”

We’d swapped all sorts of stories on the hour drive from Dahlia Springs to Portland.

We smiled at each other. I got so swept up by him that I forgot where I was until someone said my name.

“Earth to Garrison.”

I blinked and turned toward Chett. “Huh?”

He and Ewan did a terrible job of holding back their laughter as they stood in front of the table. Miguel smiled in amusement at his new husband.

“Are you going to introduce us?” Ewan pointedly looked at Lex, then back at me.

“Oh! Right.” I stood. Lex joined. “Lex, this is Ewan, my best friend, and Chett, the pain in my ass.”

“I haven’t had the pleasure of being a pain in your ass.” Chett blew me a kiss before shaking Lex’s hand. “You were an absolute pleasure to watch last weekend. You starred in at least two wet dreams this week.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Chett had chased off a few guys I’d dated, which was fine with me. If they couldn’t handle Chett’s brand of bluntness, they’d never last long-term. I held my breath and waited for Lex’s response.

“You’re welcome for the freebies, but the next one will cost you.” He winked.

Ewan bent at the waist, laughing. When he straightened, he wiped a tear from his eyes. Chett flashed me a not-so-subtle thumbs-up.

Ewan held out his hand for Lex to shake. “Thanks for being here. And for being cool about Garrison taking my spot last weekend.”

Lex’s smile softened. “Don’t worry. Happens all the time. I’ve probably given more dances to members of the wedding party than actual people getting married. And if you hadn’t done that, I probably wouldn’t be here tonight.” Lex aimed a warm smile at me and looped his arm through mine.

A group of people approached and snagged the grooms’ attention, and Chett wandered off, leaving us alone.

“Sorry about that.”

“About what?” Lex tilted his head.

“Chett.”

Lex waved me off. “Nothing to apologize for. He’s your friend. No lines were crossed, and if they were, he’d know it.” He squeezed my arm. “The peacock theme turned out great.”

I glanced around the room where people milled about with drinks in their hands. If someone wasn’t in black, they wore jewel tones. Peacock feathers protruded from colorful centerpieces. Each member of the wedding party wore a coordinated vest or dress in teal, purple, or chartreuse. The grooms wore white tuxes with royal-blue vests. Lex looked incredible in a teal silk blouse and trim black trousers. The cut accentuated his perfect legs.

I leaned close and whispered in his ear. “You look better than anyone else in the room.”

Lex nibbled on his bottom lip. “Thanks, but I beg to differ. I can’t take my eyes off you in that tux.”

“I look even better out of it.”

His eyes blazed as he gave me a once-over, but before he could respond, more of the wedding party took their seats next to us. Lex cleared his throat and sent me a we’ll-revisit-that-later look.

Lord, help me get through the night. Especially knowing he might be crashing with me in my room upstairs. He’d left his overnight bag in the room when we’d arrived, but I’d had to hurry off to join Ewan and crew and leave Lex in the room to get ready. I wanted him to stay, but only if that’s what he wanted. If I had to make a bet based on the hungry look he gave me as he eyed me in my suit, I was betting on him staying.