Page 17 of One Weekend in Los Angeles

He rubbed his thumb on the inside of my wrist, causing shivers to snake down my spine. “Sounds like the goats could complement your mini cows.”

People started to take their seats around us, giving me a reprieve from any further goat conversation.

A quartet of string instruments to the left started to play, and the seats began to fill. An older woman with chic, short blond hair was led down the aisle by a man in a suit who must have been her husband. Given her stunning blue eyes, there was no doubt she was Deacon’s mother.

As if confirming this hypothesis, she flashed a beaming smile in the direction of her son and took a seat in the front row in front of us beside her husband. Next came the men in traditional black-and-white tuxes who took up positions to the sides of the officiant, who stood in the center of an elevated stage.

My gaze focused on the groom. Bryce was a decent-looking man, but couldn’t have been more the opposite of Deacon. It was as if one was the sexy bad boy, and the other was his clean-cut, drive-a-Toyota-Prius accountant.

We all got to our feet once the wedding march started to play. The bride began the walk down the aisle with an older man in a tux who must have been her father. She was stunning. As in grace-a-magazine-cover stunning, with her tall, statuesque frame and long blond hair curled down her back. Take a Barbie bride doll, and she was a dead ringer.

The besotted groom lit up like a kid on Christmas morning when he laid eyes on her. I felt a stab of empathy for the guy given he had no clue that just minutes ago she’d been ready to call the entire thing off if Deacon had only said the word.

Watching this love triangle unfold in real time left me feeling sad for him and angry at her. No one deserved to be made a fool of.

Deacon, as if sensing my mood shift, squeezed my hand in support. We seated ourselves again, and I didn’t miss the way Nina’s gaze swung to us, immediately laser-focused in on Deacon, and flicked to me and down to where our hands were joined. Even from twenty feet away, I could feel the flames of jealousy.

Then she appeared to remember this was her wedding, and she should concentrate on the man she was about to marry. She refocused and pasted on a smile.

I’d never attended a more excruciating ceremony. Not that it was long if measured by the clock, but the feeling of watching a man about to make one of the biggest mistakes of his life slowed the minutes. Or perhaps what made it feel tense was wondering if at any moment she’d bolt.

Once it was over, I let out a long breath. As the newly dubbed husband and wife walked down the aisle, Bryce looked as though he’d won the biggest prize, and Nina appeared annoyed that Deacon hadn’t stood up and shouted “objection.”

“That was painful,” Deacon whispered under his breath so only I could hear.

He could say that again.

Around us, people began to stand up. Deacon’s mom turned around and smiled at her son. “So happy you’re here.”

He leaned in and gave her a hug. “Nice to see you.”

After pulling back, he made introductions. “Andrea, this is my mom, Vivian, and her husband, Rob.”

They both flashed warm smiles my way.

“Nice to meet you both.”

“You as well— Oh, we’re being summoned for photos.” She paused. “Don’t suppose you want to do some family pics?”

Deacon chuckled. “Not a chance, but I’ll find you at the reception, and we’ll ensure we get one together.”

She seemed satisfied with his compromise. “Deal. See you both in a bit.”

As people started to file out of the rows and into the beautiful reception hall, Deacon took my hand and pulled me down a different hallway where we could be alone.

“You look ready either for a drink or to bolt,” I remarked.

His smile came quickly. “Both would be fantastic, but we’ll settle on the drink, a picture with my mother, a quick meal, and then we can split if that’s all right with you?”

The way he always checked to see how I felt about things was endearing. “I’m here for you tonight for however long you wish to stay.”

“Thank you.” He took a deep breath before offering his arm.

The indoor reception hall was beautifully decorated in white and silver. The result was both elegant and sophisticated. I could only imagine what an extravagant wedding like this must have cost.

We were greeted by black-tie servers who proffered trays of appetizers and champagne to the guests who milled around while the bridal party took photos outside. It was cute how people wanted to meet Deacon and say hello without being obvious or making him uncomfortable.

Deacon was gracious and took the time to introduce me as his date to everyone he spoke with. I witnessed the curious glances in my direction, making it clear they all wondered who I was and the status of our relationship. My date kept his hand in mine or at the small of my back, the perfect gentleman at all times.