“Amelia, a dance?” he asked with a wink.
“I’d love to.”
Mick didn’t miss a beat and whisked me back on the dance floor one minute later. He took my arm, and amazingly, a sense of calm seeped into me. He always emanated this sense of peace, like he had everything under control.
“Mick, I never told you, but I’m so happy Mom found you, that you’re part of our family.”
He smiled warmly, kissing my forehead. Mick was a man of few words, but he was never shy to show his feelings.
“What’s this I hear about Mom retiring?” I asked as we swayed to the slow rhythm of the song.
“I told her you’d probably need her more, what with the store and the baby, and I practically saw her eyes light up.”
We laughed together as if we were accomplices. We were, in a way, but I’d just contributed without knowing.
I looked around, grinning when my gaze crossed Heather’s. She and Ryker had been dancing nonstop. She was red in the cheeks, and one strand of her chocolate-brown hair had fallen out of her bun.
When the song was over, she and Ryker stalked over to me, as did Rob.
“How about a trip to the photo booth?” Heather asked.
I nodded in agreement. Ryker had insisted on one, and I didn’t see the point at the time, but now I totally did. It was so much fun. Josie had found this photographer that had a setup like a booth where he had all kinds of hats and accessories we could wear. Genius! I put on a mustache and a glittery hat, Rob a police cap.
I tugged at the waistband of his pants, playfully whispering, “A striptease, Mr. Cop?”
His eyes flashed as he slid a hand up my back slowly... suggestively. Holy shit! I was getting a striptease later, I was sure of that. And in case he forgot, I planned to remind him.
When we returned to the main room, I noticed Cole. He was standing at the edge of the dance floor, looking every bit the Charmer he was. He was too handsome for his own good in a tux. He ran a hand through his jet-black hair, wiggling his eyebrows at me.
“Why do you look so pleased with yourself, brother?” I asked him. “Even more pleased than usual, I mean.”
He chuckled. “Just congratulating myself on being the last bachelor standing.”
“I think you’ll find Ian and Dylan disagreeing with you.” I smirked, nudging my head in their direction. Josie’s siblings had arrived for the wedding yesterday. We’d known Isabelle and Ian were single, but it had been a shock when Dylan had arrived without his plus one.
Josie filled us in that his long-term relationship had blown up in his face just the night before. He looked understandably pissed off with life, but by the hot looks he was getting from at least two gals, I was certain he’d have some fun tonight.
“The most eligible, then,” Cole said, as if he was determined to win the argument.
“You certainly are eligible to... fall,” I teased.
“No, thanks. Bachelor and proud,” he said so seriously that I couldn’t help laughing.
As if knowing we were talking about them, Dylan and Ian joined us.
“Gents, you’re a hot topic here,” I informed them.
“It looked like it,” Ian said.
“I was just telling my sister that I’m proud to be a bachelor.”
“Me too,” Ian said, holding up his glass. Cole mimicked the motion. Dylan just glowered, but he still clinked his glass to theirs.
“You truly know how to bring people on your team,” I said.
“I’m talented like that,” Cole agreed.
Tess and Isabelle joined us, fanning their cheeks.