Annihilate (Hive Trilogy #3)(65)

I sat by her bedside for days, but eventually she came back to me, and the healing had begun for us both. The road to recovery was long, but we were all taking the first steps.

Becca was next to be wrapped up in our group hug. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she sobbed. “It was just so beautiful, so beautiful. Jayden and Oliver are so lucky.”

The rest was incoherent, but I was starting to see our science girl was a romantic softy deep down. The wedding had touched her heart and she was all a mess of emotion. Arms wrapped around me from behind, and I sank back into the familiar embrace.

“You look beautiful, Charlie.” Ryder’s deep voice washed over me and I closed my eyes to savor the moment. The crashing of the waves, the warmth of Hawaii, the soft music on the warm breezes. This was kinda my version of heaven.

I had to spin in his arms, and our mouths met in a searching kiss. It was soft, and hot, and tongue and … coherent thought was gone.

Eventually we stopped the PDA and followed everyone else down the aisle and across the beach to the huge marquee which had been set up earlier by the very talented wedding coordinators here. Jayden of course had to give his final approval, but anyone could see this was totally his style. It was just sunset now, so the countless candles were set off beautifully, not to mention multiple chandeliers casting light across the black and white decorated space, with a few bright splashes of color mixed amongst for dramatic effect. Oliver always liked to say that Jayden was the splash of color in his world, and this was a tribute to that.

I couldn’t wait. This was going to be a party to remember, right down to the drunken karaoke that was scheduled in the next few hours. Jayden had decided to forgo all speeches or any structure in regards to food and drinks. Everything was already laid out on banquet tables across the room; people would help themselves whenever they wanted. And the bar was fully stocked, even with the good stuff. Ash everywhere were getting drunk tonight.

We hit the bar first and I found myself slamming back a shot with Tessa and Becca. Blood wine for Becca and I, tequila for Tessa. Our poor science girl didn’t know it, but there was a plan tonight. I was getting her hammered and she was going to have another shot at Sam. This unrequited star-crossed lovers thing they had going on drove me nuts. I was going to be interfering-Charlie for one more night, and if that didn’t work I was out.

“Gah, it’s really not appealing. I hate to think of the damage to my body with this poison,” Becca said, huffing in and out after her shot.

I snorted. “You’re an ashpire, girlfriend. Ain’t nothing damaging our liver.”

She shook her head at me. “You know what I mean. Anything that tastes like burning cannot be good for you.”

“Sam!” I yelled, noticing him across the room. He didn’t look uncomfortable – Sam was hardly ever out of his element – but he did kind of look like he wished he was anywhere else but here.

When he didn’t cross to me immediately, I stalked over and dragged him to the bar. “Do a shot with us,” I said, turning my most pleading expression on him.

He glanced over my head, and I knew the poor dude was exchanging a glance with Ryder. No doubt they both knew what I was up to. Brains and beauty that was my boys.

“I really need to keep a clear head. I have a lead on Sanctum, and it’s in our best interest to closely monitor that group.”

Jayden came upon us then. “Hells no,” he said to Sam. “No working at this awesome wedding. Sanctum are not going anywhere, and so far their ploy for world domination has resulted in nothing. They don’t have the numbers or support anymore. Too many humans. Too much still going on. You can take this one night off.”

Sam sucked in a deep breath, let it out, and surprisingly enough some tension left his shoulders and handsome face. “One shot,” he said, his eyes resting on Becca.

She nervously adjusted her blond curls, but didn’t protest when a whole row of shots were dropped in front of us and everyone grabbed one. I noticed Tessa and Jared out of the corner of my eye then. The pair were standing very close together, deep in conversation on the edge of our group. They turned to do a shot with us, and I swear stepped even closer together.

Whoa! They looked so hot together, all blond beach babes. And my bestie was smiling, a true and happy smile.

Maybe we would all get our happy ever after. Even Tessa.

As the party raged on, we sang, we danced, we loved. Jayden got so drunk that he and I declared our undying love for each other and promised to get a best friend tattoo in the morning. I was mildly tipsy, but trying to keep my head on so I could make sure operation Sam and Becca was going to happen. When I saw them sitting next to each other but not really engaging, I decided it was time to play hardball.

Stalking across the room, I found Jason. He was hot as hell, like all ash, and he was someone I sort of knew from the Portland Hive.

“Jason, I need a favor,” I said to him, only the slightest of slurs in my voice. I was nailing this sober thing. He nodded, a huge grin spreading across his face, although he also looked to be nervously checking over my shoulder. Was he looking for Ryder?

Gee. He wasn’t that scary.

“Anything,” he finally said, getting his fears under control.

“Go ask that blonde sitting with Sam to dance.”

Jason’s eyes bugged out. “Sam has already claimed her. Rules are not to go near her.”