Down Too Deep (Dirty Deeds, #4)(112)

“Oh, man,” I mumbled, looking away. I was fighting that smile hard now.

Nathan laughed. “So, ‘crazy in love,’ huh?”

I side-eyed him and nodded. My heartbeat quickened and skipped.

“Was I getting us close to you sharing that with me?” There was no longer any trace of humor in his voice.

“You got us there,” I said.

I turned fully to gaze at him and that sweet, suddenly surprised look on his face, but I had only a second to notice it before my eyes were being drawn over Nathan’s shoulder, lured by the commotion coming from the front of the house.

People cheered and clapped. A sharp whistle cut through the air.

Everyone grew quiet when Tori stepped inside the room. She had tears in her eyes. “It is my absolute pleasure to present after way too damn long, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Savage!”

I gasped, hand to my mouth. “Oh my God. What?”

Holy shit.

Holy shit!

The room erupted as Brian and Sydney walked in together holding hands, dressed for their wedding day.

Brian wore a dark gray suit and had a clean-shaven face. He looked handsome and happier than I’d ever seen him. Syd’s dress was white lace, long and bohemian-style, with a halter neckline and a short train in the back. Her red hair fell in elegant waves. She looked stunning and smiled directly at me before throwing her hand in the air.

“Welcome to our reception!” she bellowed.

Everyone was on their feet, applauding and shouting their praise. Even Oliver and Olivia. They had pushed their way to the front of the crowd. A crowd that included all of our closest friends. Everyone was here. We were never able to be together like this. Work wouldn’t allow it.

I peered over at Nathan and slid nearer so he could hear me above the noise. Our arms touched.

“You knew they were getting married today, didn’t you? That’s why you closed Whitecaps early. So everyone could be here for this…”

He smiled down at me. Now it made sense.

Brian and Sydney made their way around the room, greeting their guests. Everyone flooded in from other parts of the house. The floor was packed now.

“I’m kind of mad at you for not saying anything,” I said to Nathan.

He limply shrugged. “Wasn’t my surprise to share.”

“I’m at my brother’s wedding reception and I’m wearing shorts. With rips in them.” I fake glared at him and he chuckled. “You’re lucky I’m so crazy in love with you.”

He blinked, and his lips parted. His chest swelled with the breath he inhaled.

“Come here,” he said. Nathan drew his arm over my shoulder and pulled me against his side. He pressed his mouth to the top of my head.

I hugged him back with my arms around his waist, then beckoned him lower with my finger and cupped his cheek when his face got closer to mine. I stood on my toes and spoke against his ear.

“I am so, so sure of this.” Of him. Of us. He knew what I meant.

Nathan pulled back to look at me. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

He smiled, ducking his head to kiss me.

When the newlyweds made their way over to where Nathan and I stood, I couldn’t decide who I wanted to hug first and settled on throwing an arm around each of them.

“I’m so happy for you guys! This is amazing.” We squeezed and let go. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me though.”

“We just wanted it to be a surprise,” Syd explained while Nathan and Brian shook hands and conversed.

“I am surprised. I can’t believe you went to a courthouse for this.”

“I’ve done the whole big wedding thing and look how that marriage ended,” Syd said. “I didn’t need anything more than what we did. I didn’t need anything other than him.” She looked up at Brian when he slid his arm around her.

“Was anyone there besides you two?” I asked.

“Just my mom. Your parents couldn’t make it out since we basically gave them zero notice, so we Face-Timed so they could watch. It was cute.” She looked at Nate. “Hey, best boss ever. Thank you so much for letting everyone be here.” They hugged, Nathan offering his congratulations. He was quick to brush off his role in this.

“It’s still appreciated,” Brian told him.

He nodded then, accepting the thank-you. Tori hurried over to our group just as Brian and Sydney were moving away to greet more of their guests.

“First-dance time!” she announced. “You can say hi to everyone later. Come on. I have the song cued up.” She ushered them into the center of the room and directed everyone else to give them some space. “Work with me, people. This is the dance floor. Spread out! Move!”

Some guests roamed about, floating in and out of the great room, but mostly everyone hung around and formed a large circle around Brian and Syd. The song began playing overhead.

They’d chosen “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley.

Nathan and I moved closer to watch.

Brian dipped Sydney, making her shriek in surprise, and I smiled and laughed with my fingers to my lips. They swayed back and forth. Sydney sang along to the lyrics, directing every word at Brian. He couldn’t stop watching her, and I couldn’t stop watching them.

Their love. Their joy.