“Okay, deal.”
I study him for a moment as he shifts under my scrutiny. I’m struggling to pinpoint exactly what it is about him that made me offer to step in. I have enough of my own problems with my own family to worry about someone else’s, but maybe that’s why. With my family, I have to play nice. I have to bite my tongue and meet the expectations that have been set out for me, but with Christian’s family, I don’t have those same constraints.
And looking at him rears up somethingprotectivein me.
I may have only known him for basically a minute, but I can already tell he didn’t deserve what they did to him.
No one does.
I can’t right the wrongs of my own shitty family, but I can make things easier on this sweet man.
“Feel better?” I ask.
“I think so …”
“More definite.”
“Yeah. Yes, I feel better.”
“Good.” I take his hand again and give it a quick pump. “Whenever I do that, it means your answer needs more confidence behind it. Sound good?”
“I thin—ah, yes. It does.”
“Ready to go in?”
He lets out a shaky breath. “I’m nervous.”
“That’s understandable.”
“What if I fuck it all up?”
“Then you fuck it up and nothing can be done about it, but in my experience, the anticipation is often for nothing. It’s a wedding. We’ll sit in the back for the ceremony, make polite conversation during the reception, we’ll eat, dance, tell everyone how amazing you are, and then leave. There isn’t exactly a large margin for error there. Or do I need to remind you that at a wedding, most people are focused on the bride and groom?”
“You’re right.” He nods emphatically. “I’m making a big deal out of nothing.”
Given how nervous he is, I’m reasonably confident he’ll stumble over what he’s saying at some point, and I’m sure it will seem like the end of the world to him. But I’ll be there to cover any blips. I can talk my way through these things in my sleep. “Now, do you remember my name?”
“Yeah, Émile.”
Damn, that sounds nice in his slow, deep voice. “Perfect. And if you forget or panic or whatever, make up a pet name. I’ll go with it.”
Christian lets out a long sigh. “You’re seriously saving my ass. There has to be something I can do to thank you. I’m poor as shit but I could take you out for burgers, or … if you’ve got kids or whatever, I do birthday parties, or … or … fuck, need someone killed?” He waves a hand awkwardly. “Obviously, I’m joking, but that’s how grateful I am.”
“Let’s see how tonight goes before we decide if there’s anything to repay.”
“I suppose that’s smart.” At his uncertainty, I squeeze his hand and he lets out the most adorable, deep chuckle. “Yes. That sounds great.”
“Ready to go?”
“Nope, but we’re running out of time so I better suck it up.”
I give his hand a quick squeeze and his head that had been drooping forward snaps upward.
“Yes. I’m ready.” Christian shoots a nervous smile my way. “Better?”
“I like a man who can follow instructions.”
He manages a short laugh as we make our way toward the doors. “Yousureyou’re vanilla?”