Bonus Epilogue
JUDE
“Why’s your face look like that?”
I can’t help the chuckle as I look down at the little bride standing in front of me, her arms crossed across her chest and a scowl on her face.
“Damn, Elle. Way to make a guy feel good.” I hold my hand out, tipping my head towards the dance floor I spent yesterday morning putting down with my least favorite Warren.
“I will dance with you because it’s my special day but don’t think you’re not going to answer my question. The bride gets what she fucking wants.”
Her tone is scolding but a smile teases her lips, which is equivalent to a million watt smile on Elle Warren. “That she does. However, I fear that is just what my face looks like.” I offer a shrug as we stand across from each other.
Our height difference and the fact I don’t want to put my hands anywhere near inappropriate makes me pause on where to put my hands.
“Oh for fuck’s sakes.” Elle grabs my hands and rests them on her waist, resting her hands on my shoulders.
I’m a good five or six inches taller than her, her arms are at quite an awkward angle, I take pity on her and shimmy my shoulders until her hands slide down to my biceps.
Not exactly the classic dance pose but much more comfortable for the both of us.
We sway side to side, neither of us really dancers. “Spill. Why do you look like someone shit in your shoes on the best day of the year?” Elle glares at me, her gaze flashing over to her new husband who happens to be chatting it up the reason behind ‘why my face looks like that’.
Not that I’d ever admit it to Elle on her wedding day. Or any other day, really.
“Again, just my face.”
“Sure. I totally believe that your yearning/kicked puppy/shit shoes face isn’t because a certain sibling of mine currently laughing it up with my hot as fuck husband.”
I bark out a laugh in surprise. I’ve known Elle for a long time and it’s almost crazy to see how she’s opened up ever since Patrick was forced into her life.
“I plead the fifth.”
If looks could kill….I don’t think I’d be dead but seriously maimed, maybe even missing a limb.
“Oh boy. You must have done something terrible to earn that look.” A hand slaps my shoulder and I smile at my curly haired friend.
“He’s denying the bride.” Elle huffs out as she drops her hands from my arms.
The bride and groom embrace and, I swear, I can feel their love radiating off of them. I look away as Patrick gently cups Elle’s jaw, turning her face up to his and kissing her like there is no one else around.
“I’ll leave you to it, then.”
I do my best to stay on the outskirts of the party, observing but avoiding any additional interactions. My social battery is running low and I won’t deny I’m looking for an excuse to leave.
“Judey baby.” Mama D’s voice pulls me out of planning my escape. The Warren matriarch shuffles over to me with a wide smile on her face. I swear, this woman hasn’t stopped smiling all day long.
Completely justifiable.
Getting to tonight had been an exercise in patience.
I’d say that we almost didn’t make it to this point but it was a testament to the strength of the Warren women to get it all done.
“Did you get something to eat?” Mama D wraps her arms around me as she asks.
“You know I did. You sat next to me at dinner.” I chuckle, she is always worrying about me and it fills me with warmth.
“That’s true. Oh, I need to go say good-night to Anika and Henry before they leave.
” She rushes off and I let my gaze wander around the party again, searching.
Warmth spreads against my back and I feel something slide into the pocket of my slacks. I’m surrounded by the familiar scent of my siren.
“I need you inside me. Meet me in the house in fifteen minutes.”
Her voice is husky and a jolt of arousal darts down my spine. I slip my hand into the pocket where her hand still rests against my thigh. Her hand is smaller than mine and cold. I hold her there for a minute-even if I’m about to be surrounded by her in every way-I need this moment of contact.
We’ve been apart all day and I soak in every instance I get with her.
Her hand slowly slips back and out of my pocket, leaving her keys behind. I smirk and slowly back away from the reception area. Fifteen minutes would be torture but the wait would be worth it.
It always was.