Chapter48
Maddie
The last fewhours have flown by. The wedding prep, the photos, the ceremony, the dinner. Axel.
I glance past the couple I’m currently talking to, trying to catch a glimpse of the sexiest man here.
Beckett looks great and all, but he’s not mine. He’s not old enough, not thick enough.
A pair of arms pull me in for a hug and I’m reminded of my goodbyes.
Growing up with Elouise, and spending my whole life living in this town, means that I know just about everyone here. Which also means my whole night has been consumed by small talk and catching up.
Axel’s been great about it, of course. And turns out more than a few people here have met him through his shop, so I’ve overheard several conversations about cars and have had more than one man tell me I’ve made a good choice.
And I’ve gotten a few waggled eyebrows and elbow nudges from the women, which I can’t blame them for. I just wish I had more time to enjoy Axel’s company tonight myself.
Seeing one of Elouise’s old neighbors approaching I stay put, but I watch with a smile as some guy carries a drink to Axel.
Axel takes it with a nod of his head and downs half of it.
Since we met, I’ve wondered what it would take to get Axel drunk, and my smile turns to a grin when I realize that I might be about to find out.
Chapter49
Axel
The swayof Maddie’s hips is intoxicating, and I watch the movement until they’re only inches from my grasp.
“You ready to go, Darling?” Maddie bites her lip, and I can no longer resist the urge to touch her.
I grip her waist, then let my fingers trail down from her hip to the hem of the soft fabric of her dress. “I’m ready.”
“Can I finish your drink?”
I hand her the last half of my cocktail. I didn’t need this one. I didn’t need the last one either. But having something to hold on to kept me from grabbing her and hauling her off to some storeroom.
“We’re using the drivers,” I tell Maddie, holding out a hand.
“You know they’re a bunch of teenagers, right?” she says skeptically, while looking at my hand.
I open and close my fist, “Help me up.”
She bursts out with a slightly-drunk laugh and grips my hand.
I don’t actually let her pull me up. There’s no way in hell her tiny self could even budge me, but she is holding my hand. And that’s a win.
A groan leaves me as I stand, instantly dwarfing Maddie with my size.
“You’re sure about the car?” she leans into me.
I was told about the hired drivers during dinner. The newly married couple hired pairs of high schoolers to drive people and their cars home. We ride in my car with a kid driver, and another kid follows behind so they can bring Kid One back to the venue.
“I’m sure.”
“In that case…” Maddie quickly sips the rest of my drink. I know she’s had a couple throughout the evening, but I’m thinking I’m probably the drunker one.
Most of the guests are gone, but there’s a pair of waiting teens leaning against the front of the building when we come out.