I’m sticking around for moral support.
Realization dawns on Reed’s face. He pulls his shoulders back. “Is this because of Dick? Are you really going to be pissed at me because I fired him? Come on, Riley. I did you a solid.”
Beth tugs on Reed’s arm, looking a little anxious all of a sudden.
“His name is Richard,” Riley hisses. Hands clenched at her hips. Her bottom lip trembling. “And yes, I’m going to be pissed at you for firing him. And for not letting him come as my date. That was a really crappy move.”
Reed sighs, throwing his hands into the air. “So sorry I didn’t want to pay for some ex-employee of mine to eat salmon and drink tequila shots.”
“He doesn’t even drink tequila! But you know who does? Me! And guess what’s going on your tab, big brother?”
Riley spins on her heels, knocking into CJ before storming off in the direction of the bar.
“Whoa,” Tessa murmurs.
I nod, looking from her to CJ, who grabs his beer off the table and steps away, mumbling something about needing a refill.
Reed shakes his head. “Are you kidding me? She’s acting like such a child.”
Beth wraps her arms around his waist from behind. “She’s just upset because now things are rough between them. Give her some time. She’s here. She chose sharing our day with us over sitting at home with him. That means something.”
Dropping his head, looking half ready to pass out and half ready to sweep Beth into his arms and pin her against something, Reed turns and gathers his soon-to-be wife against his chest, pressing his mouth to her hair and whispering.
After a moment, he looks over at the two of us. “We’re going to go take a walk on the beach.”
“Cool. We’ll probably turn in soon,” Tessa replies, both of us waving when Beth raises her hand.
“That was crazy,” I murmur, shifting Chase in my arms after they move away. “And did you see CJ staring at Riley? I thought he was going to grab her by the hair and drag her off to his villa for a quick bang. Is he out of his mind? Reed will kill him.”
“Weddings,” Tessa snickers, turning her head and smiling at me. “Tomorrow should be interesting.”
Nodding, I lean against her, the two of us falling into a fit of quiet giggles and no doubt picturing the same scenario in our minds, involving Reed tackling one of his groomsmen to the ground while his sister pummels him in the back with her bouquet.
Thank God we brought headphones for Nolan’s iPad. He might just be wearing those during the ceremony.
After Ben and Luke return to the table with Nolan, we all order some food and hang out a bit longer, laughing as Luke recalls some of the things Nolan was trying to pull over on him while staying at their house.
Telling Luke he was allowed to buy whatever apps he wanted because he’s such a good kid. Flipping through On Demand and acting like he watches Game of Thrones regularly.
By the time our meals are finished, Chase is asleep in Ben’s arms and Nolan is showing the first signs of being tired, little yawns he tries to conceal because he wants to stay up and dance some more.
Tessa and Luke head for the bar, not ready to call it a night yet. Ben takes Chase back to the room while I let Nolan hear one final song.
The last note plays. My little dancer looks ready to drop.
I scoop Nolan up into my arms and carry him through the small crowd, his body immediately going limp with exhaustion and melting against mine.
God, I love this little boy.
I press gentle kisses to his cheek, smelling the sand and saltwater on his skin. When I’m almost at our villa, I reach into my back pocket, carefully balancing Nolan in one arm so I can pull out my keycard and not disturb him.
I step up to the door. The sound of one closing behind me draws my attention over my shoulder.
Riley emerges from the villa beside ours, the ivory strapless dress she’s wearing looking a little more wrinkled than it should. Her hair tangled, half coming out of the jeweled clip she was securing it up with, and feet bare. Her sandals tucked under her arm.
She looks like someone who’s just had wild, uninhibited sex.
That’s odd. Why would she look like someone who’s just had wild, uninhibited sex? Isn’t her boyfriend at home?
I look at the side of the villa, then at her again, and it dawns on me, exactly who is sleeping in that villa this weekend.
Not Reed and Beth. Not Luke and Tessa. And definitely not Riley.
My eyes widen.
Oh, shit.
Riley lifts her head with a gasp, finally noticing me standing here, her eyes doubling in size and somehow looking more startled than mine.
I stare at her. She stares at me.
An exchange happens between us, a silent plea from her mouth to my ears.
Don’t tell Reed. Please, Mia.
With a frantic shake of her head, Riley turns and hurries down the footpath, disappearing around the bend.
“Hey.”