Chapter 33
DORI
I’m still floating when the officiant declares Jami and me husband and wife. He sweeps me into a meaningful kiss.
I pull away and laugh. “We did it. This really happened.”
“You’re stuck with me now.” He runs his thumb over my lower lip. “I can’t wait to be with you tonight and show you how deeply I love you.”
“It’s going to be spectacular, seeing as I’ve made you wait since my doctor’s appointment.”
“We’ll make up for the lost days. You can count on that.”
Melanie and Aiden clap, signaling it’s time to make this two-person exchange a four-person conversation.
I plant a kiss on Jami’s lips.
Mel snaps her fingers. “Hey, you have guests here who would like a hug.”
“We know, Mel. We just needed a few moments of our own before opening up the night and sharing it with you.” Jami tugs on my hand, leading me to where she and Aiden are waiting for us.
We take turns hugging while they congratulate us.
Jami’s thoughtfulness makes me melt. He knows what I need even before I do. I would’ve regretted Aiden not being here if that had happened.
I take Aiden’s hands in mine. “It means so much to me you put your differences with Jami aside and supported us today.”
“It means a lot to me too. If I found out you got married, and I wasn’t there to see it, I would’ve been crushed.” He gestures to Jami. “He’s my best friend and more like my brother.”
“You two definitely fight like brothers.” I pat Aiden’s chest. “Did you mean what you said? Are you and Jami on the mend?”
“He called, and we talked. We’re in a good place.” Right as Aiden finishes his sentence, Jami slaps him on the back.
“Since you didn’t throw me a bachelor party, we need to have some fun tonight.” He drapes his arm around my neck. “It’s okay about the bachelor party because I’d rather have a celebration where Dori’s included.”
Mel bumps Jami with her hip. “Don’t forget me. You know I take every party up a notch.”
“Or ten,” I quickly add.
“You could’ve used my help with the ceremony.” She peeks back at the officiant. “He basically got paid for three sentences. It was the shortest union in history.”
Aiden pretends to wipe his forehead with the back of his hand. “Thank God for that. I hate long weddings.”
“So you’re saying you want to get married in Vegas?” Melanie winks and takes my flowers like she’s ready to tie the knot if Aiden is.
“You better not do something as spontaneous as that.” I grab her and lead us out of the chapel.
“Why not? It could be a two-for-one.” She glances at Aiden.
He laughs her off as he and Jami follow us out. We round the corner where the casino and the chapel meet, and my eyes pop out of my head.
“Well, there’s another thing I didn’t expect to see today.” Mel stops and turns to Jami. “Did you have a hand in this too?”
Jami’s face bunches together. “In what?”
She points to a small bar area that’s off to the side of the casino floor. Jami tracks her finger to the area.
His eyes round. “I had nothing to do with that. That’s pure coincidence.”
A moment later, Hunter’s head swings my way. Our gazes connect. His eyes round as shock scatters over his face, but he recovers and shoots us a smile.
What are the fucking chances?
I continue down the path, knowing we’re going to pass right by him. “Jami…”
“I’m right here.” He rushes to my side. “We can stop or wave as we walk by. This is your call.”
Other than my utter surprise, seeing Hunter isn’t causing any upsetting reaction.
I glance up at Jami. “Let’s be cordial and say hi. My brother is working a side job with him, so he’s bound to stop us anyway.”
“Like I said, I’ll support whatever you want to do.” He takes my hand.
Hunter’s sitting at a table near the edge of the bar. There are no walls, but there is a clear divider that marks the boundaries of the establishment.
With how my group is arranged, I’ll be the first and the closest to him when we pass. I suck in a breath, hoping nothing goes wrong.
As we approach, he stands. “Beau… Dorothy, what a surprise.”
“Hi, Hunter. I never would’ve thought we’d run into you here. ”
He laughs. “You’re in one of my casinos, and you didn’t expect to see me? You know I’m always traveling, doing site visits. The chances of someone seeing me here are higher than someone running into you here.”
“Good point.” I step to the side and reach over the rail to give him a hug.
He bends down and holds me. His cologne drifts into my nose. As good as he smells, nothing sparks in my body.
He pulls back and clears his throat, glancing at a blonde who’s sitting at his table. I didn’t notice her before, but I do now because she’s eyeing Hunter and me up and down like she’s ready to intervene if needed.
The rest of my group gathers around us. They all say a quick hello as he motions for her to stand.
“Channel, this is a group of my employees.” He dips his head to us.
His employees?
It’s such a strange way to introduce us.
I crinkle up my nose and gawk at him.
She smiles tightly and sways to his side. “Nice to meet you all.”
Aiden takes a step closer. “I’m the only one who still works with Hunter. And I’m a contractor, not an employee.”
Jami shrugs. “Hunter and I still discuss work. We probably always will. But like Aiden, I was a contractor too.”
Melanie takes her turn. “Dori and I used to work at Efron Worldwide, but we moved to Miami.”
“Huh. I’ve known him for a couple of years, and we’ve gone to a few galas together.” She leans into Hunter. “I’m surprised I’ve never met any of you.”
He stiffens but puts his arm around her waist. “They weren’t at any of the events you were.”
“That’s a shame. I would’ve loved to spend more time with you all.” She grins, but her tone is full of a brush-off if I’ve ever heard one .
She’s obviously territorial.
“We won’t take up any more of your time,” I say.
“Nope, we won’t because we have some celebrating to do.” Mel pumps the air with her palms as she wiggles her hips.
Aiden does a strange dance move as well. “Let’s get to it.”
They wave as they walk off down the corridor.
Jami intertwines his fingers with mine. “We should probably follow since this is our night, and they’re here for us.”
“Agreed. Nice to meet you, Channel. Hunter, it’s always a pleasure.” I take about ten steps away with Jami.
Hunter calls out, “Dorothy, can I steal a moment? It will only take a minute.”
I glance at Jami.
“Dori, trust yourself and do what you want.”
He’s right. I’m practicing this in every other part of my life. I need to be able to do it when my ex appears on my wedding day.
I reach up and kiss Jami’s cheek. “Give me two minutes at most and then get ready to take me dancing.”
“Dancing? I’m a terrible dancer.”
“You can sit on a chair, and I’ll give you a show. Call it a lead-up for what I plan to do to you later.”
“Deal. I’ll be over there.” He points to where Mel and Aiden are waiting.
I turn back to Hunter. “We’ve got two minutes before Mel will cause a scene, so let’s make it snappy.”
He excuses himself and strides to an opening where the bar connects to the main floor. His gaze crawls over me like it did the first night I met him. Still, the lust in his eyes causes no reaction in me.
He stands before me and releases a deep sigh. “Congratulations. You make a beautiful bride.”
“Thanks, but how do you know I got married?”
“Jamison’s in a tux. You’re in a white gown. Your brother and best friend are here with you, and you’re celebrating. It wasn’t hard to figure out.”
“Very perceptive.” My stomach twists. “We didn’t do this here, hoping to run into you. That was?—”
“Say no more. There’s no way you would’ve known I was here. I was teasing you earlier.”
“Just know I wouldn’t set out to hurt you.”
“I know that. I just wanted to say congratulations to you in private. You need to know I’m truly happy for you. Please know I’m sincere when I say that.”
“Thank you. That means a lot to me.” I peek around him. “Who knows? Maybe Channel can be your happily ever after.”
He laughs softly. “I’m sure she’d like that, but it won’t go anywhere with her.”
My curiosity gets the best of me. “Why spend time with her if you don’t want more?”
“She makes for pleasant company.” He glances over his shoulder at her.
She waves her fingers at us, then he looks back at me.
“Just so we’re clear. When she said she’s known me for years, that doesn’t mean she was a part of my life when we were together.”
“I didn’t think that. What I took from it was she has wanted you for a while and was making that obvious.”
He slides his hands into his pockets. “Sometimes people want what they can’t have.”
Gut punch.
“Hunter…”
“No. I didn’t say that to stir up old feelings. You’re married now, and I respect it.”
“Then why say something like that to me?”
He shrugs. “Old habits die hard.”
“Yeah, I guess they do.” I hike my thumb toward my group. “I better get back to them. ”
“Of course. I wish you the best. And if you ever need anything, I’m just a phone call away.”
“Thanks.” I take a step back, ready to say goodbye, but he scoops me up into a tight hug.
“Jamison’s a lucky man. Don’t ever let him treat you wrong.”
“I won’t.”
He places my feet back on the ground. “Thank you for the good times we’ve shared. I’ll always keep them close to my heart.”
“Me too. I hope you find that special someone because you deserve it.”
“Thanks.” He runs his palm across the side of his neck. “Well, I guess this is goodbye.”
“Yeah, it is. Bye, Hunter.”
“Bye, beauty. May all your dreams come true.” He sends me a soft goodbye smile.
I return one to him and turn away, hurrying toward my husband. Jami’s eyes shine as he meets me halfway, making me soar in an instant.
He slides his arm around my waist as we follow Melanie and Aiden. They lead the way through the casino.
“Are you okay?” Jami asks.
“I’m better than okay. I just married the man of my dreams. He happens to be the sexiest man alive.”
“Is that so?”
“Um-hmm.”