Page 104 of Just Between Us

“Come home with me tonight?”

My question lands between us, and I see the moment it registers with Cassie what I’m asking. Her lips part and her eyes search mine for a full five or ten seconds, like she’s making sure I mean what she thinks I mean.

I raise my brows in a silent answer.

Cassie’s lips tilt into a grin. “Okay,” she says softly.

Who knewthat wedding cake pairs so nicely with a French 75?

I’m on my second glass, the mix of gin and prosecco making the twinkling string lights above fuzzy around the edge.

“I’m married, bitches!” Josie squeals as she and Penny step up next to me. She does a shoulder shimmy, and loops her arms through ours.

I catch Tyler’s eye across the dance floor and smile. “To my cousin. I never saw this coming.”

“How could we?” Penny adds. “But what a wonderful surprise it was.”

After the first dance, Josie disappeared and came back wearing the cutest little mini wedding dress and sneakers. She’s hardly left the dance floor tonight. Penny has joined her for most songs, one hand resting on the slight curve of her belly as Josie twirls her around. Josie has clearly had a few too many drinks from the open bar, but I’m not far behind her. I know I need to swap to water soon though.

“Uptown Funk” starts up and Josie and Penny head back to the dance floor, but I’d rather have another slice of cake. My aunt really outdid herself. Three tiers with the most delicious buttercreamicing. I head to the dessert table to grab a piece and make my way to the nearest table.

“You’re looking a little green around the gills.” My brother muses, dropping into the seat next to me. He’s shed his suit jacket, his tie now wrapped around Penny’s red hair, knotted into a bow. “Here, drink this.” He hands me a bottle of water and unscrews the lid to his own. Reaching for my unfinished cake, he grabs the fork to help himself.

“Holy shit,” he says, around the bite. “This is delicious.”

“I washed mine down with gin,” I say, pointing to my empty glass. The words are out before I can think. Stupid gin talking for me. Austin’s relationship with alcohol is not something I take lightly, but he seems unfazed by my comment. He just lifts his bottle of water and winks.

“You think that’ll be you one day?” he asks, nodding his chin toward Tyler and Josie.

“Marriage, schmarriage.” I wave a dismissive hand but then I spot Liam on the other side of the tent, beer in hand talking to his brother who I was introduced to a bit ago. I watch Liam laugh at something his brother just said, and the idea of marriage doesn’t sound nearly as crazy as it did a few months ago.

“You never know, Cass. You never know.” Austin nods to my untouched water. “Drink up.”

I flash him a wobbly smile. My brother will never stop taking care of me, even though I’m a full-grown woman. But I do need to sober up if I want to be clear headed with Liam later tonight. Unscrewing the top, I gulp it down.

A big laugh grabs our attention to where Josie is now spinning Penny, her bridesmaid dress flaring out around her legs. Austin jumps to his feet. Penny is now ending her fifth month of pregnancy and Austin can’t help himself. He’s always futzing about, doting on her like she’s fragile. It’s honestly adorable, but it drives Penny crazy.

“She’s fine, Austin. Women dance while pregnant all the time.”

“Well…” He stands to head their way. “Lemme just check.”

I grab his hand and haul him back down. “Sit. She’s fine. Let her dance.”

Austin huffs a breath, dragging a hand down his face. “I’m being overbearing, aren’t I?”

I snort a laugh and hold up my thumb and index finger, an inch apart. “Just a smidge.”

We fall silent, letting the party happen around us.

“Mom looks good, doesn’t she?” Austin observes as Henry spins mom out and then back to him.

“So good, Austin. She looks so good.” We’ve spent more time together leading up to the wedding, and with each passing day I’ve noticed subtle shifts. I enjoy the time with her more than I did back at Christmas, and the few times that flare of resentment rears its ugly head, I’ve been able to squash it down. I don’t know if it’s because I’m in a better place than I was back then, or if time really does heal.

Liam’s sea green eyes connect with mine and his face splits into a grin, laugh lines creasing his cheeks. He’s also shed his tie, his top few buttons undone and his sleeves rolled up to expose all that sexy ink and even sexier forearms. I think I’d like to lick those forearms.

At that not so sober thought, I take one more gulp of water.

He raises his arms like an embrace, swaying back and forth then hooks two fingers, beckoning me his way.