Chapter 6
If he brings you cake, he’s a keeper.
“I don’t even know why we’re bothering with this,” Tripp said as he tossed another handful of rose petals on the bed in the honeymoon suite. “Plus, it’s kind of weird that I’m helping out with this, knowing what they’re going to be doing later.”
“Your sister is a grown, married woman. And you insisted on coming with me. I didn’t force you,” Violet added as she tossed the final set of petals on the bed.
The ceremony and reception had gone off without any more issues, and she was certain it would come out later that Belinda had been at least involved in some of the nuttiness of the flamingos and olives in the desserts.
This was the last thing Violet wanted to do before she headed back downstairs and enjoyed the really, really good champagne.
And she wanted more cake. She’d only had one piece, and it wasn’t nearly enough.
“It’s the only way I could get you to talk to me.”
“Hey, we danced,” she muttered, only a little petulantly.
They’d danced a lot, and she’d loved being in his arms way more than she wanted to admit to herself.
She’d also noticed that the only other women he’d danced with had been well over sixty—and she hated that she liked that so much.
She also hated the anxiety churning inside her at being in a bedroom with him. All alone.
“Last night was incredible,” he murmured as he moved around the bed toward her, clear intent in his dark gaze.
She shoved a bag of little candles into his hands.
“Start turning them on and placing them around the room.” She ignored the “turning them on” phrase, even though he gave her a pointed look.
Sarah and Ian would be leaving in the morning on their honeymoon, but she wanted tonight to be magical for these two.
“I’d rather turn you on,” he murmured, clearly not letting it go.
Dammit, she’d walked into that one. “Stop.”
He sighed. “Fine, then we’re—”
“What is taking you guys so long?” Juniper strode in, champagne in hand and… Aldo on her arm. The youngest of the Mercante brothers was watching her with reverence and oh, Violet just hoped Juniper didn’t break his heart.
“It would go faster if you two would help.” She tossed two bags to them as well.
“This is a lot of candles.” Juniper looked into the bag, eyes wide.
“Yeah, we’re setting a mood, and I swear if you argue with me—”
Juniper held up a hand. “Not arguing. And neither is this cutie.”
Aldo simply grinned at Violet and nodded.
“She’s going to destroy his heart,” Violet murmured when the others walked away.
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Tripp murmured, right by her ear.
She jumped and turned, realized that he was way closer than she’d thought. “He’s too young for her.”
He snorted. “Please. I caught the two of them going at it in the kitchen earlier. He’s twenty-three, he’s got this.”
“You caught them?” she whispered. “And you didn’t lead with that earlier?”
“What? You want, like, details?” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Oh my god, no… Maybe.”
He snickered. “I’ll tell you everything—”
“Where is everyone?” Maya and her husband strode in, each holding one of their twins.
“We’re almost done,” Violet said as she set out another couple candles on the nearby dresser. They would reflect perfectly against the mirror.
“Well, you better hurry because the cake is almost gone.”
“I’ll grab you some,” Tripp said before she could respond. Then, the little sneak kissed the top of her head and headed out.
Maya lifted an eyebrow, her mouth falling open for only a second, but then she grinned.
“Not one word,” she threatened.
Maya mimed a zipper over her mouth but then laughed when her baby started babbling at her.
What the heck had Tripp been thinking anyway? Whatever, she’d deal with him later. The night was almost over and then she could eat cake, drink champagne and finally relax now that her bestie was married and soon to be off on her honeymoon.
Then she could deal with the fact that she was falling for her best friend’s brother.