CHAPTER 62
Evander
Emotion, hot and intense, rushes through me. If we were alone, I’d crush Phoebe to the front of my body and kiss the living hell out of her.
I’d tell her how much I love her.
I’d laugh at how I barely recognize the man I’ve become.
Her golden-green eyes are dazzling. Her skin and hair are luminous. Her lips are shiny and red. And her freckles are adorable. She drops her chin and raises her gaze to mine.
Fuck it.
I go to her, wrap one arm around her waist and use the other to support her back, then dip her in my arms. She kicks a leg out for balance, and I crush my lips to hers.
I hear someone gasp. Someone else applauds. And I don’t give a damn. I just breathe her in, feel the hot silk of her kiss, and enjoy the feel of her weight in my arms.
Then I pull her to a stand and get her balanced on those heels. Her hair is messed up. Her eyes are wide with surprise and her lipstick is slightly smudged. I feel bad about all that, so I pull my handkerchief from an interior pocket and dab at the smear.
“You’re the most beautiful woman in the world, Phoebe,” I tell her. “You’re breathtaking.”
She wags an eyebrow. “So you like the dress?”
I look around to make sure no one is within earshot. “Fuck yes, I like the dress. I love the dress. It’s perfection, and you’re perfect in it.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“I nearly stroked out when you walked in.”
Phoebe snatches the monogrammed square out of my hand and laughs. And there it is—the most enchanting sound I’ll ever hear. My favorite song. My girlfriend’s laugh.
She dabs at a corner of my mouth, wiping away her lipstick. She gives me a mischievous smile. “I see you didn’t shave, Evander.”
“I didn’t. Full disclosure, though—I trimmed. I couldn't stand it. Does it still do it for you?”
She examines my face. “Oh, yeah.”
“Good.”
“You’re a devastatingly attractive man,” she whispers. “So handsome in this suit. I’ve missed you a lot.” She adjusts my boutonniere and returns the handkerchief.
I slip it into my pocket. “How’s the ass?”
“Fine.”
“Damn right, it is.”
“How’s the burn?”
“Hot.”
“Damn right, you are.”
I crook my elbow and offer Phoebe my arm. We head off to join our families to celebrate Finn and Emma.
It’s a wonderful evening.
A string quartet provides music during a dinner that is flat-out unbelievable. Emma had insisted on handling the menu herself and hired a huge staff to turn her vision into reality. She’s a genius.
I tell my new sister-in-law that it was some of the finest cuisine I’ve ever tasted, and I’m not just blowing smoke up her wedding dress.
She kisses me on the cheek and thanks me, then adds, “I’m so happy that you finally came to your senses about Phoebe.”
I’m a little taken aback by Emma’s comment, but I recover, and she heads off to speak with other guests. I’ve been hearing those kinds of comments a lot over the last few days. I’m beginning to think that the only person who was surprised to see Phoebe and I together was me.
I’m relieved that Phoebe’s family is enjoying themselves. Several of the brothers are catching up with the locals. I notice that Mason’s hitting on one of Emma’s friends from Reno. Even Gil seems to be having a good time.
While Emma and Finn cut the wedding cake, I walk over to stand next to Gil. “I hope you’re enjoying yourself, sir.”
He looks up at me and nods. “This. This is what Phoebe deserves. Promise me that one day she’ll have it.”
“I promise,” I tell him.
I can’t even begin to imagine the pain he feels, knowing how much he will miss out on when he passes. It dawns on me that Mom must have felt this same grief at the end, knowing she would never see her sons grow to adulthood and find loves of their own.
I know how happy she’d be for Cal. For Finn. And now, for me.
“Gil, may I ask you something?”
He nods. I decide to go for it. All he can do is say no. And if he does, I may not pay any attention to him.
Because a plan is taking shape in my mind.
“I’d like to take Phoebe somewhere warm and sunny for a couple weeks. I think after what we’ve been through, it would do us both some good.”
“I can see that,” he says. “So you’re thinking somewhere warm and sunny and about a thousand miles away from the families?”
I laugh. “Yes sir.”
“Smart man.”
After cake and dessert are served, Gil and Izzy decide to head home, as Gil is exhausted. Mason, who struck out with Emma’s friend, decides to accompany them back to Travis Ranch. The rest of her brothers hang around.
I stand with Phoebe at the edge of the dancefloor as the disc jockey invites Finn and Emma to take center stage for their first dance.
The overhead lights soften, and the shimmer of the Christmas lights take over. The first chords of Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” fill the arena. A few bars in, I fear another tissue shortage is imminent.
It’s a touching moment, and I feel Phoebe’s soft hand reach out for mine. I pull her close to my side and lower my lips to her hair.
I’m a man with a plan. A plan that’s developing at a fast clip. A plan that’s so good, and that will include so many twists and turns, that I’m about ready to laugh out loud.
“Are you enjoying our first date, Phoebs?”
She looks up at me, surprised. “This is our first date, isn’t it?”
I smile. “Might I interest you in a second?”
“It depends.”
“On?”
“Whether you’re a good dancer.”
“Challenge accepted.”