Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
T he bridal party waited in the back of the chapel for the wedding coordinator to finish explaining the procedure. Blake and his brother, Harrison, who was his Best Man, stood near the front. Obviously, they didn’t need to know who was walking down with whom or how fast to go.
Like at Carli and Blake’s engagement party, Evan looked so different out of his everyday worn jeans and t-shirt.
He had on a dark button down with black pants, his new black dress shoes, and a tie.
Mercedes had needed to help him tie it, but it was little more than another excuse to get close to him.
Not that they’d needed a reason recently.
It was only kissing, and maybe a little canoodling, as her grandmother always called it.
Whatever it was, it got her motor running.
Hopefully, Evan was getting something out of it as well.
He certainly seemed as out of breath as she was when they eased away from each other.
For the wedding, they’d hired several interpreters, but tonight she and Brian were doing translation duties for Evan and Deanna. Carli had worn her CIs and was paying rapt attention to the coordinator. Their dad, Mike, only had to walk Carli down the aisle so he wasn’t paying as close attention.
“Let’s see if we can get this perfect on the first try,” the coordinator said. “Line up with your partner. Deanna, you go before Carli.”
Mercedes and Brian terped the instructions and got in line. The wedding party wasn’t big. She and Evan were partnered up, something she was grateful for now. Annie was partnered with Brian, and Deanna was the Maid of Honor.
Don’t screw this up, Mercedes teased Evan as they waited for the music to start.
I can’t hear the music, so you’re responsible for when I start walking and how fast. I can’t be blamed for this if we make a mistake.
He had a point, so she sighed and signed, You’re right. Follow my lead.
I’ll follow you anywhere, especially dressed like that. He waggled his eyebrows in a ridiculous manner, and she laughed.
The dress she had on was something she’d worn to a family wedding last year.
Fall colors blended together in a swirly flower and leaf pattern.
The plunging neckline enhanced her ample chest, and the cinched waist showcased her tiny middle.
The bottom of the dress flowed almost to her ankles, and she loved the long billowy sleeves that had kept her warm against tonight’s chill breeze.
With Evan as tall as he was, she could wear her three-inch heels and still be shorter than him.
It was also much easier to kiss him with her heels while they were standing.
You’re looking dapper yourself. Oh, the music. We’re first.
Mercedes slipped her hand through Evan’s extended elbow and slowly stepped down the aisle. Annie and Brian followed a respectable distance behind. She couldn’t tell when Deanna started walking, as they were already down near the front, and she didn’t want to turn around.
Evan had no compunction about craning his neck to see what was happening behind them. When everyone got to the front, the coordinator gave them more instructions.
“Make sure to keep your gaze ahead the entire way down the aisle. Even when you get up here, stay focused on this point.” She indicated where the bride and groom would stand for the ceremony.
When Mercedes interpreted the words, Evan gave a sly grin. That was meant for me, huh?
Maybe. Now pay attention to what we do up here.
He winked but watched her as she signed where they would stand and what they were expected to do during the ceremony.
Fortunately, the wedding party was able to pick up the simple directions easily enough, and when they walked through the entire process the second time, they made no mistakes.
When they were dismissed, Evan jumped in with Mercedes in her car—his truck was too dusty for their nice clothes—to head to the restaurant for the rehearsal dinner.
Since Blake’s parents were responsible for this part of the wedding, they’d chosen an upscale place where Mercedes would never be able to afford dinner, short of marrying a wealthy man.
Her gaze traveled to Evan, who was seated beside her.
He certainly wasn’t wealthy, though he made a decent wage.
Not that she was thinking of marriage at this point in their relationship.
They’d only been kissing for a few weeks.
Would a time ever come when she’d be making wedding plans with Evan as the groom?
Her feelings for him had grown so much in the time they’d been living together.
When they got to the restaurant, they had to wait for a few minutes for the room to be ready, something Mrs. Wentworth was not happy about, and she was already discussing her dissatisfaction with the manager.
Carli tried to calm things down. “It’s fine. I’m sure several of us could use the ladies’ room before we sit down to eat.” She tipped her chin at Mercedes, who nodded and followed her into the bathroom.
The room was luxurious, and she gaped at the upholstered chairs and baskets of beauty products lining the marble counter.
Mercedes waved her hand around the room. “I’d better enjoy this now. I doubt my wedding rehearsal dinner will be this nice.”
A strange expression on her face, Carli swiveled her way. “So, Mercedes, want to tell me what’s been going on with you and my brother lately?”
How did she handle this? She’d never want to lie to her best friend, but she also didn’t want her upset right before her wedding. “What are you talking about?” Best get clarification on exactly what she meant.
“The sly glances and winks today. The clandestine kiss behind the presents at the bridal shower last weekend.”
Drat. She’d seen that. Was she mad? “I don’t want to do anything to upset you before your wedding.”
Carli’s eyes popped open. “The two of you haven’t slept—”
“No,” she interrupted. “We’ve kissed. That’s all so far.”
“I warned him,” Carli said.
“About kissing me?”
Carli closed her eyes, then opened them again. “I don’t want him to hurt you. He doesn’t have the best staying power with girlfriends.”
“He won’t hurt me. He hasn’t stayed with most of his girlfriends because some only used him to brag about being with a Deaf guy, and some of the Deaf ladies only wanted him because he’s Deaf. He’s looking for someone to want him for himself, regardless of his hearing status.”
Carli’s face softened. “I understand that completely.”
Mercedes shrugged. “Besides, it’s only been kissing.” She wouldn’t mention some of the wandering hands at times.
The grin on her friend’s face made Mercedes relax. “Did you like them?”
Mercedes couldn’t stop the smile that blossomed on her face. “I won’t kiss and tell.”
“The blush on your cheeks,” Carli pointed a finger her way, “gives me the answer. If he does something stupid, though, tell me. I’ll kick his butt.”
“I’ve got an older brother; I know how it’s done. I can kick his butt, too.” She’d rather do other things to it, like stare at how good it looked in the dress slacks he wore tonight.
“We’d better get back out there. Hopefully, my future mother-in-law hasn’t insulted the manager of the restaurant and gotten us kicked out.”
Mercedes touched her hand to her chest and imitated the woman in question. “They wouldn’t dare do that to a Wentworth.”
The women laughed and joined the rest of the party.
Mercedes wended her way until she was beside Evan and made sure to get a seat next to him.
Because she might need to interpret for him.
Right? That was a good reason. When he caressed his hand up her thigh, she found another good reason.
One no one else had to know about. Not tonight.
Once the wedding was over, they could be freer with their affection.
They’d both decided they didn’t want to upstage Carli and Blake’s big day with an announcement of their new coupledom.
The food service began as soon as they sat, with drinks and appetizers being brought out. Mercedes had never seen some of the items on the platters.
What is this? Evan asked, trying to be unobtrusive with his question as he indicated something slimy and green.
I haven’t got a clue. I may stick with the bread until the main meal comes out. They’d been given a choice earlier in the week and had put in their orders for either beef, chicken, or fish.
The bread was soft on the inside and crusty on the outside, and Mercedes groaned at the honey butter the servers brought with it. Her hips wouldn’t be happy when she couldn’t fit into her jeans.
Stop worrying about your hips, Evan signed to her unobtrusively.
She cocked her head. How did you know what I was thinking?
He gave her that charming grin that showed off his dimple. I’ve known you forever. I can see it in your eyes. You want that butter but think you can’t have it. It’s okay to indulge yourself every now and again. Plus, I love your hips.
He loved her hips. Glad someone did. As she slathered the honey butter onto her roll, she pondered what he said about indulging every so often. Did that include indulging with him? She certainly hoped so.
When the main dish arrived, Mercedes almost wished she’d chosen the beef. Evan’s beef medallions in mushroom sauce looked and smelled heavenly. Fish was much healthier, but the baked halibut with its lemon and herb crust didn’t call to her as much as the meat did today.
When she took a bite, she had to admit it was cooked to perfection and the couscous complimented it nicely, though she had never been a fan of Brussel sprouts. They ate silently for a few minutes, then Evan reached over and put something on her plate. It was a piece of his beef medallions.
What is this for?
That grin again. It would be the end of her. You want some. I know you do. The puppy dog eyes don’t fool me.
She wanted more than the beef. This man could read her mind. She thought back to many of the evenings when she’d known his emotions and moods without him saying anything. How had they become so in tune with each other?
Thank you. You’re the best.
Best roommate? Better than Carli? His impish eyes flirted with her.
You’re my best current roommate. Let him chew on that.
He bumped his shoulder into hers, and she laughed. A few eyes turned their way so she threw him a glare, just to keep in character with how they’d always teased each other. Evan’s mom smiled slyly, and Mercedes warmed to the thought of her accepting them as a couple.
As people finished their meals, Evan rubbed his hands together and Mercedes felt him tense up. He nodded her way and stood. She stood next to him.
“Excuse me,” he signed, and she voiced for him.
All eyes focused on them, and she gave him an encouraging smile.
“I wanted to say a few words, if people don’t mind.”
They received nods and smiles, so he began. “Carli was my first friend. She and I were always a team. Growing up, she followed me everywhere, or maybe I was the one following her. We’re only fifteen months apart, so we shared everything—toys, secrets … trouble.”
He paused to narrow his eyes at his sister. She rolled hers, but her lips turned up at the corners to soften the look.
“When she got her cochlear implants, I teased her. Probably too much. But it wasn’t because I thought there was something wrong with her or them, but because I was scared. Scared she’d move into a world where I couldn’t follow, where I didn’t belong. I worried she wouldn’t need me anymore.”
Mercedes had to clear her throat to get the emotion under control. Carli’s eyes were suspiciously wet.
“But she never left me behind. She always kept pulling me along. Her hand was constantly urging me forward with her. She’s like that. She doesn’t let go of people she loves. Then, Blake showed up.”
Evan set his eyes on his soon-to-be brother-in-law.
“I’ll admit, I didn’t trust him at first. Hearing guy.
Big smile. Rich. Too perfect. Hearing guys had come and gone before with Carli.
However, Blake … he stayed. He learned our language—not because he had to, because he wanted to.
He wanted to talk to her in the language of her heart. ”
Blake and Carli smiled a secret smile at each other, Blake taking her hand.
“I see how he looks at her. Like she’s the most precious thing in his world.
I see how she lights up when he’s near. That tells me everything I want to know.
I don’t need words or signs to see their love for each other.
Carli, you deserve someone who shows up for you every single day.
Blake, thank you for being that person. I’m proud of you both, and I love you.
To Carli and Blake, may you always be there for each other. ”
Everyone that was gathered at the table applauded, even Blake’s stuffy parents. Mercedes quietly turned and snagged a tissue from her purse to wipe her eyes. Carli had done the same thing.
Even though Mercedes had known what was in Evan’s speech, seeing him tell his sister all those things had made her emotional because of the real emotion he’d put into his speech. Evan often joked around, but this was the serious side of him that she really liked seeing.
Carli skirted the table and wrapped her brother in a tight embrace, while Blake stood behind her. Evan closed his eyes as he hugged his sister, his bottom lip slightly trembling.
Mercedes couldn’t even try and deny it any longer. Evan Jameson was the man she loved and wanted to be with. Now to make sure he knew exactly how she felt.