Chapter 18 #2
Feeling like a coward, she snuck out after the wedding, planning to congratulate the bride and groom when they arrived at the reception. She faked the excuse of wanting to check on the cake when Henry and Michael asked why she was sneaking out.
Ethan and Paige had hired the Blue Ox to cater, so she made her way to the kitchen to see if they needed help. She was greeted with a controlled frenzy, as she and Regina used to call the chaos when they catered an event.
With nothing to do, she made her way to the ballroom. The doors were now open, and guests were filing in. Waiters glided through the room with one hand holding napkins and the other holding a tray of hors d’oeuvres.
The sexy usher who seated her at the wedding moved toward her with two champagne flutes and a grin. She looked up, noticing she stood under a sprig of mistletoe, and stepped to her right.
He approached and said, “You should have stayed where you were.”
“Nope. I’m avoiding being ambushed tonight. Thank you,” she added as he handed her a glass.
“You’re welcome. I’m Chris Duncan, I played ball with Ethan.”
“Kate Davis.”
“Are you a friend of the bride or groom?” Chris asked.
A fair question since Paige and Ethan didn’t seat their guests according to family. “I’d like to think both. I met them at Paige’s charity gala in New York.”
“Do you live in the Big Apple?”
“No. I’m from Chicago. I just moved here. I’m opening a coffee shop in town.”
“Congratulations, and too bad you’re not living in New York. It’s close to Boston,” he said with a wink. “Cheers.”
To think this handsome ball player would flirt with her made her blush. Too bad she only had eyes for the sheriff.
She and Chris chatted as the bridal party entered the ballroom, clapping at the appropriate times. Kate enjoyed Chris’s company. She found him funny and laughed at his silly stories. Chris was down-to-earth for being a big-shot pro pitcher.
“I remember seeing you play,” Kate finally admitted.
“And here I thought you didn’t recognize me.”
“I didn’t feel like catering to your ego,” she said and laughed.
Chris leaned close. She felt his warm breath in her ear. Goosebumps freckled her skin. “Who’s the groomsman sending daggers my way? Is he your boyfriend?”
“Nope,” she said with a sigh. “We’re just friends,” she admitted to Chris as much as herself. The three words that haunted her dreams at night. She finished her champagne.
Paige and Ethan made their way toward them. Ethan and Chris bro-hugged.
“I’m glad we seated you at the same table,” Paige said, nodding to Kate and Chris.
“Let me guess. Henry’s idea?” Kate asked.
Paige winked, and Kate didn’t have time to question her before the other guests swarmed them.
“We’ll catch you two later,” Ethan said, and they continued to float on the love cloud around the ballroom, acknowledging their guests.
“Hungry?” Chris asked.
“Starving.”
He lifted a hand, signaling the waiter. They each swiped a stuffed mushroom off the tray. “So, I have Henry to thank for the seating arrangement?” Chris asked.
Kate nodded, holding the napkin to her mouth, enjoying the delicious treat. “You do.”
* * *
Nick, sitting at the head table with the rest of the wedding party, couldn’t keep from staring at Kate and the flirty ballplayer consuming her attention. Cole had to nudge him twice to break his concentration.
Owen asked, “You do plan on asking Kate to dance, right?”
Nick grunted and pushed his dinner plate aside. The Blue Ox always catered a delicious meal, but his stomach churned at the prospect of Kate falling for the superstar.
After the toasts were made and the cake cut, the dance floor was cleared, and the DJ announced the first dance while Nick worked up the nerve to ask his friend to dance and to profess his feelings.
Instead, the wedding party was instructed to join the bride and groom.
He and Lily made their way to the dance floor.
Soon after, the rest of the guests joined them.
Nick watched as Chris stood and held out his hand to Kate.
Kate nodded, then walked hand in hand with Chris onto the dance floor.
He pulled her close and maneuvered her under the mistletoe.
The former pitcher threw a slider. He lowered her into a slow, sexy dip, smiling down at her.
“Excuse me, Lily. I need a drink,” Nick said.
Lily placed a hand on his arm. “Don’t give up on her. I know she cares for you.”
Without commenting, he said, “Thanks for the dance.” He couldn’t watch anymore and made his way to the bar.
“Bourbon, please.”
The bartender poured the drink and moved it close. Nick placed a few bills in the tip glass. “Thanks, Scotty.”
Owen joined him. “I’ll have what he’s having.”
“Shouldn’t you be dancing with your wife?” Nick asked.
“The night is still young.”
They turned and leaned against the bar, watching the other guests enjoy the festivities. At least Nick didn’t have a clear view of Kate. He and Owen remained silent, enjoying the expensive caramelized liquor.
Owen threw back the rest of his bourbon. “I better get back.” He tapped the bar. “Learn from my mistakes, Nick. Kate won’t know how you feel unless you tell her. Good luck.” He placed his glass on the bar and walked toward his wife.
Nick had had front-row seats last summer when Owen let Maggie slip away without telling her how he felt.
It was a good thing Maggie had taken charge and sought Nick’s help to track Owen down before he left town.
Nick had obliged, and enjoyed watching his friends profess their love on the side of the road.
He wove his way between the high-backed upholstered hickory chairs and ivory linen-draped cocktail tables. It’s now or never. I won’t make the same mistake Owen did, even though it worked out for him in the end.
He arrived by Kate’s side only moments after she caught the bouquet. Shock, along with a hint of a smile, lined her face.
Nick grinned. It was time to make his move.