“I’m starting to get the idea.”
“Oh?”
Loren rolled her eyes, and fuck if it wasn’t the cutest thing. “Well, yeah, I mean, I got blown up, and there’s always all those scary beefy guys around in suits. And, of course, the blackout SUV with the magic drivers and the fighting ring. I’m not… I’m not stupid.”
“That’s one thing you aren’t, Beautiful. You’re right there.”
“But… I also don’t want to say it out loud because then it makes it true. And I don’t know if I’m ready to accept it.”
“That’s fair. Because I think once you do, life will change even more.”
“Yeah, I’ve had a lot of life changes lately. Speaking of, I should probably get Jude home. It’s getting late, and I promised him we wouldn’t stay forever.”
“Yeah, okay. Um, do you guys need a ride?” I asked hopefully, not ready to leave her yet.
“Yeah, sure. That’d be great.” Loren smiled, and my whole world lit up. How could her smile make me feel so happy?
We walked back into the ballroom, and thankfully, they were cutting another cake or some nonsense. They had three cakes. Seriously, who needed that many cakes? Well, I didn’t know why I was suddenly angry with the bride. She was lovely and nice. I suppose I was taking my frustration from Jacqueline out on her.
Nodding to Sax, I indicated we were ready to leave, not wanting to enter any further. He motioned to the two teens, and they headed toward us. Taking the chance, I grabbed Beautiful’s hand and pulled her. When she linked her fingers with mine, my whole body soared, content filling me. I slowed our pace as Sax, Jude, and Immy caught up.
“Are you guys ready to go?”
“Yes, thank God. If I had to listen to one more crappy wedding song, I think I was gonna poke my eyes out with a spoon.”
“Dramatic much there, Jude?”
“You said the same thing, Immy!”
“What? I would never,” she sassed, and they both fell over in laughter.
“Come on, you crazy kids. Maybe if we ask nicely, Nicco or Sax will stop and get us ice cream,” Loren offered, winking at me. Fuck, I’d buy her the whole store if she kept looking at me that way.
“Oh, yes, ice cream!” They chorused despite having devoured plates of cake just a second ago. They took off walking toward the parking garage, bumping into one another as they flirted, the three of us trailing behind. When we got to the garage, we all clambered into the vehicle that was idling for us.
Thirty minutes later, full of ice cream and laughter, we pulled up to Loren’s building. She paused before opening the door, looking at us. “I wasn’t expecting you guys tonight, so I wanted to say thank you. I know my cousin appreciated it. And it was nice to have the backup. I successfully avoided my mom all night too.”
“Yeah, about that…”
“Nope. Don’t tell me,” she shook her head. “It’s been a nice night.”
“Well, I do feel like we should talk soon about her. She’s up to something. I don’t trust her.”
“I know. We, uh, overheard something,” she glanced at Sax and then the teens, who appeared to be focused on a phone screen. “But I’ll unpack all that later. I just want tonight to be this.”
“So, that means there will be a later?” I asked, that familiar feeling of hope rising up.
“Yeah, there’s going to be a later.”
She smiled before leaning over and kissing me on the cheek and turned and kissed Sax on the cheek, as well. She hugged Immy before climbing out of the car. Jude stopped, blushing, and I realized he didn’t know what to do or how to act in front of us. Finally, he awkwardly waved and followed Loren out.
When the door shut, Immy turned to me, a stern look on her face. “If you break her heart again, I will punch you in the junk myself.”
I looked at her, all seriousness, nodding to show I accepted her words. “If I break her heart again, I’ll let you punch me.”
Grunting, Sax added, “If you break her heart, I’ll just shoot you.”
His comment sent us all laughing as the car pulled away, and I sat back, thankful that things might be changing.