Chapter 25
A good relationship is like a delicious casserole. Only those making it really know what they put into it!
— MATCHMAKING MAMAS
Silas
“Hey, you got a minute?”
I turned to see Branson following me. In matching tuxes, the twins looked a lot alike, but Branson wore an emerald vest that set him apart from the groomsmen.
“Hey, I know the sound isn’t great. I’m on my way to talk to the DJ—”
“No.” He laid his hand on my arm. “That’s not it.”
The serious tone of his voice pulled me up short. I turned to him. “Is everything okay?”
“I’m hoping you can tell me.”
I blinked, glancing around at the wedding reception.
Everything had gone off without a hitch.
Static cut through the music playing on the sound system.
Okay, almost without a hitch. There’d been a few hiccups, like Percy throwing a hissy fit when Maverick wouldn’t let him rearrange all the table settings.
He’d been surreptitiously skulking around the room, moving flowers around whenever people weren’t looking, but of all the trouble he could make, we were getting off easy.
I’d even caught a glimpse of him dancing with a dark-haired emo-looking guy who’d gazed up at Percy like… well, like nobody else did.
“I’m not sure what you mean, Branson,” I said slowly. “Is there something you’re unhappy with here?”
“It’s not about the reception.” He grimaced. “I’m leaving on my honeymoon tonight, so I feel like I have to say this now, Silas. You’ve been a great wedding planner and a great friend to Caitlyn. I can’t thank you enough for seeing her through all those months of planning when I couldn’t be here.”
“Caitlyn is great. I was happy to do it.”
He nodded. “But I’m not so sure you’re great for my brother.”
I opened my mouth, then snapped it shut, shocked into silence.
“I’m not trying to be a dick,” he said. “Bryson has a big heart. He falls hard and he falls fast. If you’re just in this for a good time, you need to end it before you hurt him anymore than you already have.”
“You think I’m hurting him?” The words felt raw in my throat. I’d never want to hurt Bryson. He was the best guy, the sweetest, most caring, genuine person I’d ever met.
“Yeah, and if you keep it up, it’ll only get worse. He’s been hurt before, you know? Chris did a real number on him.”
My chest tightened. “What happened?”
“That’s for him to tell you,” Branson said. “I’m overstepping enough as it is. Just…make up your mind about what you want. Bryson has a lot to offer. He deserves someone who will appreciate him. If you can’t do that, then you need to let him go find someone who will.”
I nodded, blinking hard. “You’re right.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be harsh.”
I nodded again. “I should, uh, deal with that sound system. Have a great honeymoon. It was a beautiful wedding, but you two will have a great marriage.” I forced a smile. “That’s what’s most important.”
“Silas,” he said. “Maybe I shouldn’t have—”
“No, it’s good. You’re looking out for Bryson.
I’m glad he has you in his corner.” I gestured vaguely over my shoulder and wheeled to walk away, heart aching.
I had left it too long to talk to Bryson.
If his brother thought I was hurting him, then I probably was.
That made me no better than Michael—or his ex, Chris.
There was a man who’d snap him up in a heartbeat. I’d seen him rushing in to sit beside Bryson at the head table. I’d also caught the many glares he’d sent my way, though I did my best to ignore them. What Chris thought didn’t matter. But Bryson’s opinion had become everything to me.
I approached the DJ working the sound system. “Drake—”
“I know,” he said quickly. “I’m working on it.”
“The garter throw and bouquet toss are coming up. We want the mic to have a nice clear sound for those.”
He ran a hand over his nearly bald head. “I’ll get it fixed, Sy. I won’t be the one to fuck up one of your weddings. I want to live to see tomorrow.”
I laughed, though it sounded a little artificial to my own ears. I was still reeling from Branson’s words. “I’m not that bad, I hope.”
“No, you’re that good.”
I left him to his work and went to check on the status of the kitchen. We had to have this place cleared out by midnight. The caterers were packing up. I helped Corey lift a heavy bin onto a cart on wheels.
“Thanks. We’ve got this, though. Your suit is too nice to get leftover carbonara sauce all over it.”
“At least I’d taste delicious.”
Corey grinned. “You’re not flirting with me, are you?”
“Please, I know you prefer the pretty girls.”
He shrugged. “You’re pretty, too.”
“Um…”
He laughed. “Gotcha.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m telling your brother you made a pass at me.”
“Tattletale!”
I pushed out the door, chuckling a little at the nerve of Corey.
He was settling in nicely to the catering business.
I still couldn’t tell if his flirting was just him being a little shit or if he really was bi-curious, but it wasn’t my problem to figure out.
I was sure I’d hear all about it from Jamie if Corey went and got himself a pretty boyfriend.
If he wasn’t careful, the Matchmaking Mamas would be dragging him into a complicated love match next. Lord knew, when I’d agreed to one single date with Bryson, I’d never thought it’d lead me to this.
Speak of the she-devils. Lula and Iola made a beeline toward me as I exited the kitchen doors.
“Silas, you need to go find Bryson!” Lula said. “That handsy groomsman was all over him.”
My heart sank. “You mean Chris?”
“We made you a good match,” Iola said, “but you’ve got to take the next step.”
Lula nodded. “We can’t do it for you, unfortunately.”
“Bryson wasn’t receptive to hearing our wisdom on the matter,” Iola added with a sniff. “Apparently, he’ll only speak to you about your relationship.”
I cringed inside at the idea of the Mamas harassing Bryson about me. I swept my gaze over the ballroom but didn’t spot him or Chris anywhere. My gut churned.
What if he’d decided his ex deserved a second chance after all?
“Where did you last see him? I need to talk—”
“Right behind you, dear.”
I whirled to see Bryson approaching. Alone, thankfully.
I swallowed hard and forced a smile. “Hey, enjoying the wedding?”
“You throw a great party.” His gaze flicked to Iola and Lula. “I know you’re busy, but can we talk for a minute?”
Bryson’s eyes looked stormy. I had a sinking feeling he was about to tell me I’d ruined everything. I didn’t want Iola and Lula to witness my train wreck, though, so I took his arm and walked a few feet away for a reasonable amount of privacy.
“I’m sorry I let you down, Bryson. If you want to try again with Chris—”
“What? I told you I was done with Chris.”
“It’s just after your brother said I was hurting you, I thought maybe—”
His face twisted with anger. “He said what?”
I took an involuntary step back at his furious expression.
“Wait, I’m sorry,” he said, reaching out to catch my hand. “I’m not angry with you. I just… I want to kick his ass, Silas. He never should have said that.”
“No, he was right.” I swallowed hard. “He’s just looking out for you. Chris is here, ready to swoop in, and I’ve been dragging my feet.”
“Chris can fuck off,” he said bluntly, “and I can look out for myself. I said I’d wait until you were ready. That was my decision. Whatever my brother said, he doesn’t know everything. He doesn’t know what Michael did.”
“Forget Michael,” I said curtly. “I know I have.”
“Have you? Because it seems like he’s the reason that—”
Caitlyn’s voice broke through the crowd, amplified by the microphone. “Gather round, people! I’m going to throw the bouquet and whoever catches it will be the next one to get married!”
Bryson and I turned to watch the crowd gathering. Iola and Lula, who apparently hadn’t gone far, returned to give me a push. “Go on, you two. Get in there!”
“That’s for women—”
“Guys and girls, anyone who’s game, come catch the bouquet!” Caitlyn called. “We’re not playing those gender games. I know some of you guys want to play. Come on, now.”
Lula gave me another push forward. Iola herded Bryson on the left. If only to avoid their flapping hands, we took a few steps closer to the assembled crowd.
“The Matchmaking Mamas should be called the Matchmaking Mafia,” Bryson grumbled.
I snickered. “You’re not kidding. They’ve been stalking me for months.”
A cheerful tune started playing over the intercom and Caitlyn stood on a chair, her back to the crowd, as she hefted up her bouquet. She glanced over her shoulder with a wink and let it fly.
It flew over the heads of the clamoring women, too high for them to snag, and hit Bryson in the chest before bouncing right into my arms.
His eyes widened. “Uh…”
Iola and Lula screeched and clapped. Chris glared at us from across the room.
With a smug grin, I held it up, proclaiming victory to the room, which elicited laughter, more clapping, and some grumbling from the other bridesmaids.
I looked into Bryson’s eyes and knew this was exactly right.
“I guess we’re next,” I said.
“Next?” He sounded bewildered.
“Too early for marriage talk? I get it. We’re a new couple—”
He grabbed my face and kissed me hard. A sharp whistle cut through the space around us. When he drew back, he was staring at me like he wasn’t sure he could believe what he saw.
“Are you sure? I told you I’d wait. My brother—”
“Your brother has nothing to do with it,” I said. “I’m ready.”
“You’re ready for what exactly?” he asked carefully.
“For you, Bry!” I set the bouquet on the table behind me and grabbed his lapels to draw him close. “For love. For everything.”
He wrapped an arm around my waist and crushed me against his chest. He didn’t kiss me, just held me so tightly I could hardly breathe.
“I love you,” he whispered into my ear. “Fuck, Sy. Do you really mean it? You’re ready for something real?”
“I mean it.” I tipped my head up, meeting his gaze. “We’ve been dating all along. I just wasn’t ready to see it, but now that I have, I’m not letting you go.”
“Good, because I’m not going anywhere.”