Page 103 of Just Between Us

The curve of a smile reveals itself, then it transforms into a full-on smirk. “I’ll think about it,” she replies, moving to step around me.

But I catch my little minx by the wrist and haul her to my chest. The impact draws a soft gasp from her that I feel everywhere. “Think about it, my ass.”

Cassie snorts a barely stifled laugh. “You’re lucky you have such a pretty face.”

I can’t fight the smirk I shoot her way. “You really do like my face, don’t you?”

One hand goes to rest on my cheek and she returns my smirk. “Of course. And you also like your face.”

“Is that a yes?”

In her heels, we’re almost eye to eye, hers the color of autumn leaves and impossible to look away from.

“It’s a yes.” Cassie closes the very short distance between us and presses the sweetest kiss to my lips. I keep it gentle even though every instinct in me wants to deepen it, push her dress up around her waist and show her how happy she makes me. But there’s a wedding to officiate and I’d hate to mess up her pretty hair, so I pull back, my fingers skimming down her arms.

“To be continued,” I tell her.

Her eyes shift from golden to a dark topaz that brings out the striations of green. “Promise?”

“Oh, angel. That’s a guarantee.”

An hour later, I’m standing in front of at least a hundred and fifty pairs of eyes, ready to watch one of my closest friends commit her life to the man she loves in front of God and everybody. I let my gaze sweep the crowd. So many faces I’ve known my whole life. People who watched me grow up, and held me together when I couldn’t do it for myself.

Tyler stands in front of me, thumb drumming against his thigh, the only tell that the quietest man I’ve ever met is barely holding it together. Penny and Austin make their way down the aisle, followed by Abby, and then Tyler’s dad, right as the first few notes of a love song start up.

My eyes flick between the tent entrance and Tyler to watch his reaction when he sees her. He’s still tapping his thumb but when Josie steps through the opening, escorted by Jay, he goes stock still and takes an audible breath. Seeing Tyler’s reaction right now…man, that’s the goal, right? That’s what all this is for.

I find Cassie in the first row of chairs and she gives me a watery smile, displaying her dimple and winks. I know we’re thinking the same thing.

Josie reaches the front, hands her flowers to Penny and takes both of Tyler’s hands.

“Hey,” she whispers to him.

Tyler’s voice shakes when he leans in to tell Josie how beautiful she is.

I’m sure if it was up to Josie, she’d stand here and flirt with her soon-to-be husband for an hour, but I gotta get this ball rolling.

I meet my friend’s eyes, glossed over with tears and give her a smile that I hope says just how proud I am of her. How honored I am to be standing here.

“Josie has always been one of my favorite people. Pretty sure everyone here would agree, she’s the strongest one among us. Watching her life unfold over the years has only confirmed what I’ve always known: she’s the kind of friend everyone hopes for.And those of us here today? We got lucky.” I pause to take in everyone here. The people I’ve grown up with who’ve seen me at my worst and loved me through it. “She’s an amazing mom.” I take a quick glance at Abby and Jay. “And Tyler, I have no doubt she’ll be the perfect wife for you. I’ve only known you for a short time, but in that short time I’ve seen there is no better man to love and cherish our Josie than you.”

A lump of emotion swells in my throat and I take a steadying breath. Just to make sure I get the poem right, I find the paper in my pocket to read from.

Josie and Tyler exchange vows, and in a matter of minutes, I’m instructing Tyler to kiss his new bride as everyone under the tent erupts in applause.

As soon as Josie and Tyler make their exit, I find Cassie in the crowd. She’s standing with Jackson, dabbing under her eyes with her fingertips, and doesn’t see me coming as I slip up behind her and wrap both arms around her waist, pulling her back against my chest.

“How’d I do, girlfriend?”

She laughs, a tinkling happy sound and tilts her head back so we’re almost cheek to cheek.

“You were perfect, boyfriend.”

We’re interrupted by Jackson who is watching us, eyes wide. “What am I, chopped liver? First Penny gets Austin, then Josie, and now you two? If I’m not next, Imma be pissed.”

Cassie pats him on the arm affectionately. “I’m manifesting big things for you, my friend. Your day is coming.”

The reception begins and after the first dance I thread my fingers with Cassie’s and tug her off to the side for a moment of privacy.