20. Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty
Rafe
“If you keep fidgeting with it, it’s only going to get tighter,” Luna says and gently swats my hand away from my tie. I’m uncomfortable in this penguin suit, but it’s her big night, so I have to suck it up and pretend I’m used to rubbing elbows with the donors and board members of swanky museums.
Luna looks, in a word, exquisite. I look like a gamer shoved into a tux, but I passed inspection, so there’s that.
“Sorry. I’ll try to stop,” I say and slide my fingers through hers. Her pastel pink gown is set off by her dark hair, giving me a small glimpse at what this woman will look like when she walks down the aisle to meet me at our wedding.
“There’s Natasha,” she says and guides us—Griffin and me—across the open museum ballroom.
It’s much larger than I had anticipated, though I’m not entirely sure what I had expected.
I’ve been to the museum a few times, but never in these areas.
That’s for the big-ticket holders, not us general entrance people.
“Nat!” Luna calls. A ginger-haired woman turns around and my brother stutter-steps beside me. Griffin clears his throat and catches his step, easily brushing it off so no one else notices. He’s good at that, probably thanks to all the soccer.
“Luna, hi! Can you believe this turnout? It’s spectacular. I’m so happy for you!” Natasha’s genuine smile matches Luna’s, and I realize how much I missed in a few short months. My girl has a best friend that isn’t me. And it’s okay, she needs one, and I get the feeling this one is a keeper.
“Thank you, but I couldn’t have done it without you.” Luna releases her friend and looks up at me. “Rafe, this is my sweet friend, Natasha. Natasha, my fiancé, Rafe.”
“It’s nice to meet you finally,” I say and offer my hand. With all the pomp and circumstance, I’m not sure if I’m supposed to shake it or kiss it, but before I have the chance to do either, Griffin swoops in and takes Natasha’s hand.
“I’m Griffin Thomas, Rafe’s brother.”
Natasha’s eyes slowly glide from me to Griffin. She doesn’t hide the fact that she’s examining every inch of his face, which probably means she’s a soccer fan. She recognizes him, though maybe not as easily out of uniform.
“It’s…nice to meet you both,” Natasha says.
Luna’s eyebrows arch, and suddenly, it makes more sense to me. Natasha has no idea who my brother is. It’s his face that’s got her attention.
“So, your gown looks amazing,” Luna says, bringing the attention back around to the group.
Natasha’s sea-green gown sets off her hair as well, and I realize my brother is staring a little too hard for a man who is still nursing a broken heart.
There’s no chance I let him swoop in and make the googly eyes at Luna’s best friend.
While the girls are chatting, I elbow him.
“Ow, what was that for?” he scowls and tubs his sore ribs.
I manage to manhandle him a few feet away from the ladies and play it off as if we are getting drinks. “Ease off the… staring. You have no business getting involved with a perfectly nice woman so soon after Melody dumped you.”
His scowl deepens. “I’m not looking to get involved with anyone, but it would be nice to have someone to dance with tonight. She’s clearly single. What’s wrong with two people enjoying each other’s company with no strings attached?”
I cock an eyebrow and clench my jaw. “I’m going to assume you did not mean that the way it sounds.”
“What do you mean, the way it…Rafe, you know better than that. I meant, what’s the harm in hanging out together through this gala? A few dances, nice conversation, maybe walk away friends. That’s all I meant, and you know it.”
“Look, I just got Luna back. Don’t make things difficult for me by messing around with her friend’s heart, okay? Dance, talk, laugh, whatever, but when the night is over, you better not leave with her number or any intentions of anything more.”
He rolls his eyes. “Fine. I got it.”
Griffin grabs a glass of sparkling water, gives me one final frustrated glance, and heads back over to the ladies.
He’ll honor my wishes, but he doesn’t seem happy about it.
Still, I’m just trying to look out for him and Natasha.
No one needs that sort of drama right now, so it’s best to keep things professional or mildly friendly.
“Did you give him the warning?” Luna appears at my side and picks up a glass of water. Griffin and Natasha are talking, but there are three other people engaged in the conversation as well. I’m not too worried, at least, not right now.
“I did. I think we’re good.”
“Perfect. Now, come dance with me.” Luna sets her glass down and takes my hand, dragging me to the dance floor.
This is not the first time she’s had to do such a thing—after all, there were homecoming dances and prom I had to suffer through.
But this part? Holding her in my arms, looking down at my beautiful fiancée?
That part made the misery of social interaction worth every second.
“You know how much I love you?” she asks.
“Can’t hurt to clarify,” I tease.
“Enough to admit your mother’s thought about a triple wedding is beginning to sound appealing. If we separate them all out, it’s a lot of work spread over a long time. It’ll be a pain to try to work around everyone’s needs.”
“What are you saying?” I ask, determined to make sure we are always on the same page or working to get there from now on.
“Oh, I don’t know. I’d love to have my own wedding, but I don’t want to wait until next year or longer to do it.”
“So don’t worry about them. You tell me when you want it, and that’s what we’ll do. What my family wants has no bearing on what we do, right?”
Luna gazes up at me as if turning the question back on me. The Thomas family is tight, almost too tight sometimes, and going your own way can be difficult. There’s so much love involved with everything we do, but this is about Luna and me. Our future. It’s our decision and no one else’s.
I nod, encouraging her to go on.
“Well, I always dreamed of a fall wedding. Like harvest-themed when the leaves are changing colors, you know? All warm and cozy and cottage like.”
“That’s what would make you happy?” I rub my hands up and down her back, soothing her so she feels safe telling me the truth.
“It would. What do you want?”
“Exactly that. Maybe we can do it at our house and save a little money on a venue so we can put more into other things like catering or a band?”
She nods exuberantly, her smile widening. “Sounds perfect. So…this fall?”
“October?”
“Late October for peak leaf change,” she adds. “And honestly, I’d be happy for it to be just family and really close friends.”
“Sounds perfect to me. We should probably invite Alexandra and Hayden.” I chuckle once more at the thought of those two getting married, and pull Luna closer.
I spy Griffin and Natasha dancing from the corner of my eye, but it’s so stilted that I’m almost positive there is zero chemistry between them.
Good.
No worries then.
Luna stands on her toes and pulls me down a little to whisper in my ear. “I’m pretty sure the janitor’s closet is unlocked.”
I gasp. “Luna Parsons!”
She stops swaying with me to put her hands on her hips. “Do not pretend you were not looking for the nearest escape for us to do just that, Mr. Thomas.”
I smirk. Busted.
“Maybe, but you know something? Hearing you call me Mr. Thomas doesn’t hit quite the same as seeing you smile when I call you Mrs. Thomas.” She beams and shakes her head.
“Yes, but I’m not Mrs. Thomas yet.”
“Technicalities. You will be in October. It’s mere months away.”
She slips back into my arms again and we’re swaying to the music. My brain is still hitched on finding that closet when she squeezes me tighter. “Thank you for never giving up on me. It was a close one, but I’m a lucky girl that you didn’t let this go so easily.”
“I love you. Have from day one, and I think you should be thanking God because I was an idiot, too. I hope we keep on track and learn to listen and talk to one another. These miscommunications are for the birds.”
Luna laughs and presses a kiss to my cheek. “Yeah, I agree. Now, tell me, how do I convince my bestie not to fall for your brother, because if the look on her face right now means anything, she’s hooked.”
I thought my talk with Griffin had gotten through to him, but when I glance over at him dancing with Luna’s friend, worry sets in. I look back down at Luna and grimace.
“Yeah, I was afraid of that. I guess I’ll tackle that one in the morning. For now, let’s just enjoy some time together before we have to split for another week.”
I gather my girl in my arms again and try not to steal glances at my brother, who deserves a happy ending as much as any of us after some of the things he’s endured.
Still, I’m not crazy about this situation, not even a little.
Unfortunately, he’s a big boy and I can only do so much to sway him from any bad decisions he chooses to make.
With a deep sigh, I turn my focus back to Luna and pray my brother isn’t setting himself or Natasha up for heartbreak.