Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
E van adjusted the bow tie, hoping he’d done it correctly. At the tux shop, he’d paid close attention to the clerk’s instructions on how to tie it. Then, he’d Googled a video as he put it on. It looked decent, and the tux made him seem classier, maybe even smart.
After stuffing his wallet and phone into his pockets, he trotted to the kitchen for a quick sip of Mountain Dew before Brian picked him up.
Mercedes had left early this morning for hair and makeup with Carli, Deanna, and Annie.
He couldn’t wait to see her in the bridesmaid dress.
She’d refused to allow him even a glimpse of it but had said she absolutely adored it.
Brian’s car pulled up, so he hotfooted it outside and jumped into the passenger seat. Brian looked equally classy in his tux. “Looking good, brother.”
Brian grinned. “You clean up nicely, too. You should dress like that more often. Maybe you’d have a girlfriend by now.”
“You’re older than I am, and you don’t have one.”
“True. I might have to work harder on that.”
Evan smirked. “I’ve already been working hard.”
Brian’s eyes narrowed. “Want to fill me in?”
He stared at his hands, then signed, “Mercedes.”
His brother’s mouth dropped open. “Your roommate. When did this happen?”
“Since I moved in. We discovered we really like hanging out.”
Brian tipped his head. “You’ve been hanging out with her for years. Why the sudden interest in a romantic relationship?”
Should he tell him? “It’s not sudden. I’ve crushed on her forever. Recently, I discovered she’s had a thing for me, too. We never did anything about it because we thought the other wasn’t interested.”
Brian nodded his head and smiled. “Glad you both realized. I like Mercedes. She fits in perfectly with our family.”
“Yeah, that’s one of the things I love about her.”
Brian’s head whipped his way. “Love? As in you love her?”
“I love lots about her. I think I’m falling in love with her, too. Don’t say anything to anyone today. It’s Carli and Blake’s day.”
Brian gave him a thumbs up, then started the car. The chapel wasn’t too far, and soon they climbed the back stairs to the vestibule. Their dad stood off to the side signing with their mom. Blake’s parents stood primly near the side door.
“It’s about time you got here,” Audrey Wentworth chided. “You are the only two ushering guests to their seats today. We should have started already.”
Brian interpreted for him, and Evan sighed. Poor Carli, having to deal with this woman as a mother-in-law.
“How many people are here?” Evan asked. He hadn’t seen any guests lingering outside, and the wedding didn’t start for at least forty minutes.
Mrs. Wentworth waved her hand like she was shooing flies. “That doesn’t matter. We need to be prepared for when the first guest arrives.”
Evan gave a smart salute and got a frown from his dad. His mom tried to hide the smile on her face. Glad he’d amused someone.
It was another ten minutes before the first guests showed up. College friends of Blake’s. Brian escorted them down the aisle and ushered them into a pew on the groom’s side.
By the time he returned, more people had shown up, and they spent the next twenty minutes showing people to their seats.
Finally, the wedding coordinator waved at them. “There aren’t any more guests outside, so hopefully everyone’s here. It’s just about time for the parents to go in.”
Thankfully, Mr. Wentworth ushered his wife down, then Brian walked their mom to her seat.
Dad watched them go with a proud smile on his face.
Because his daughter was getting married, or did that have something to do with Mom?
His parents had a wonderful marriage, and even though he hadn’t been in a long-term relationship before, Evan hoped to someday have what they had.
The coordinator closed the back doors into the chapel, then signaled to the side door. Carli emerged with Deanna, Annie, and Mercedes. His sister looked ethereal, all in white lace and beads, yet Mercedes was where his eyes automatically focused.
She was stunning. The peach dress accented her dark skin perfectly.
The V-neck gave a scintillating peek of her chest without being too revealing.
The skirt fell softly, but it seemed like part of it had been cut away to showcase her amazing legs.
The lace covering the dress had small leaf shapes clinging to an embroidered vine that scrolled from top to bottom.
Sheer fabric sleeves fluttered over her shoulders yet still allowed him to appreciate her trim arms. Her hair was pulled up into some fancy do with several wispy curls swirling down in a few places.
The coordinator clapped her hands. “Places, everyone. Remember what I told you.”
Mercedes signed her words to him as she crossed the floor. Remember, don’t turn around to look at your sister, she reminded him.
I don’t think I’ll be looking at anyone with you being this ravishing today.
Her eyes rose to the ceiling, but her cheeks flushed.
She tipped her head toward the door as the coordinator opened it.
They stepped up to the threshold, her hand through his elbow, and waited.
He could tell when the music started by the vibrations from the large organ.
Still, he looked to Mercedes for timing.
She listened intently and squeezed his arm when it was time to go.
This was slightly different from last night when the chapel was empty.
Now it was filled with close to a hundred guests.
Friends and family of both the bride and groom sat, their eager eyes following Evan and Mercedes as they led the pack down the aisle.
Being the center of attention wasn’t his favorite pastime, but it wasn’t often his sister got married so he’d suck it up.
He had Mercedes on his arm, which helped immensely.
When they reached the front, Blake and Harrison stood side by side, Blake anxiously awaiting his bride. Thank God this man loved his sister. Evan could relax. Unfortunately, Mercedes went left, and he had to go to the right. He’d rather stand next to her than his brother.
Today, he followed directions and kept his gaze on the front as Annie came down with Brian, then Deanna glided toward them.
He felt the music change, and suddenly all the guests stood.
They were finally able to watch as Carli practically floated down the aisle on their father’s arm.
Her gaze strayed to the man waiting for her, and a large smile crossed her face when she saw him.
His beaming grin showed his anticipation.
A glance toward Mercedes made him grin as she wiped a small tear from her eye, yet a perfect smile stayed on her lips. He winked at her and nodded, and her gaze let him know she appreciated the support.
The minister began the ceremony, and Evan kind of tuned out. He couldn’t hear any of it anyway. The interpreter stood to the side for the congregation to view, but he hated focusing on her when he could be watching Carli’s expressive face as she promised to love, honor, and cherish.
When Blake eased Carli into his arms and kissed her tenderly, Evan’s heart opened up.
He’d never been the type to cry at weddings, but for some reason seeing his sister so happy brought intense joy to him as well.
Another glance at Mercedes had her staring back at him.
This time he smiled at her like she was the most precious person in his life.
He loved his family, but this thing he and Mercedes had started was pulling him under, and he didn’t want to be rescued.
When the happy couple were declared husband and wife and walked back up the aisle, it was time for him to touch Mercedes again.
The need to feel her hand in his was strong.
When they met in the middle and she slipped her fingers through his elbow, he patted her hand with his other one.
He had to touch her, skin to skin. She flashed him a grin as electricity curled up his arm.
He’d always been aware of her presence, but lately the awareness was much more intense.
In the vestibule, Carli and Blake stood to the side to greet their guests with their parents. He and Mercedes weren’t needed for this part, so they moved to the other side of the room.
Did I tell you that you look incredibly beautiful today?
A blush crept over her cheeks. You did, but feel free to tell me again throughout the night. A woman can never hear it enough.
I’m sure you hear it all the time.
Her eyes dropped to the floor, then rose. Not as much as you’d think. Or as much as the ladies drool over you when we go out.
He gave her a dubious look. I don’t remember that happening very often.
Because you can’t hear. Believe me, they all think you’re gorgeous. They aren’t wrong. If you wore that tuxedo all the time, you’d have to fight them off.
She was kidding, obviously, yet the gaze she threw his way was more than appreciative. I could wear it at work. Make the jobsite a little classier, huh?
Her impish smile was adorable. The cleaning bill for it might be a little steep. Plus, I’m not sure it works on other guys. I didn’t see too many ladies when I picked you up to get your stitches removed.
Guess I’ll leave the tux at home.
Those mischievous eyes danced as she gazed at him. You could wear it around the apartment. I wouldn’t complain.
Sure, if you wear that incredible dress.
He couldn’t keep his eyes off her. With her hair up, her neck was bare, and he wanted to nibble on it so badly.
Not the place for it. Maybe on the dance floor.
He could only hope the reception hall was dimly lit.
Usually he hated that because he couldn’t see others signing, yet he’d much prefer slow dancing with this beautiful lady in his arms to chatting with relatives.
With a satisfied sign, she twirled so the bottom floated out, then softly settled back against her legs. Lucky fabric. It is gorgeous, isn’t it?