Page 194 of Vexatious Queen

“You know what I mean.”

“Aye, I do. She looks like a queen, just ya wait ‘til you see the dress that designer did for her. I don’t know how I’m gonna keep me hands off her all night.” Blake laughed again. “What? What did I say?”

“Dude, when has being at a fancy event ever stopped you before?”

“Aye, yer right. Let’s sneak her off after the appetizers and make her the main course,” I said just as Ren turned the corner at the end of the hallway and greeted Ronan.

She was on Nash’s arm, and they looked like the black king and the white queen from a chessboard. The contrast between his black hair and suit, and her white hair and dress was stunning. They looked perfect, and it burned my ass, but not as much as I liked to pretend. My Snowflake was still very much mine, and she made me feel loved every second we were together.

“He really does look happy, doesn’t he?”

“Yeah, he does,” Blake said, bumping my shoulder and forcing me to look at him. “You did a good thing.”

“Me? What did I do?”

“Well…you’re the one who brought Ren into our circle. Even if any of us had tried to date her, I don’t think she would’ve given us the time of day. You helped her remove her armor and let us be part of something special. No matter who wears the wedding ring, I know that I’ll never forget what you’ve done for all of us and what you’ve given up for Nash to be on her arm right now.”

I dabbed my eyes.

“Why is everyone tryin’ to make me cry tonight?”

Blake wrapped his arm around my shoulders as we stood there and watched Ren greet the rest of the guests. She really was a queen. She always had been in my mind and heart, but now—I wasn’t even worthy to shine her shoes, let alone call her mine.

Ren looked our way and smiled. Lifting her fingers, she wiggled them in our direction. Despite the color she was wearing, Ren radiated warmth, and that right there was why, even if all she ever threw me were tiny scraps, I would stay right here by her side forever. Because when I was near her, I felt whole.

I loved her and always would.

MARCH 7 – SATURDAY 6:00 PM

Ren

“Have you seen my father,” I asked Nash, looking around, but not seeing him anywhere.

“No, I haven’t.”

“I’m going to go look for him. I’ll be right back,” I said, letting go of Nash’s arm.

“I’ll come with you,” Nash offered, but I shook my head.

“No, you stay and make sure everything runs smoothly. I’m sure he just needs help with a tie or something.”

At the base of the large staircase, I grabbed the railing to make sure I didn’t fall back down and break my neck. Who had time to practice walking around in high heels? I felt like I was balancing on stilts and about to topple to my death.

“There you are,” Vadin said as I placed my foot on the first step.

I slowly turned to face him. Nash and Liam were standing together not far off, and Nash looked at me, letting me know they had my back.

“Grandfather. You found the house without issue?”

“Yes, my driver knew the way,” he said.

“That’s good,” I said, wondering why his driver was familiar with the area.

He didn’t say anything else, and I stood there feeling awkward.

I pointed up the stairs.

“I’ll be back in a minute. Was there something specific you wanted to talk about?”