Unexpected Gift(3)

He raises his glass. “Hi, everyone.”

The noise of the crowd immediately dies down at the sound of Caden's deep and masculine voice. Goosebumps rise along my arms, but I blame that on the cool summer breeze. I look around at all the women staring at him like he hung the damn moon. My eyes roll back once again, and I sip on my new drink.

“I know we agreed not to do speeches, but I had to.” He turns to Brandon and Amelia. “You guys have been the greatest friends I could ever ask for. I’m so honored to be here and to finally witness you guys get married. It’s been a long time coming. The first day I met Brandon, he really put me in my place. We were quick friends, but I was a partier and I wanted to go to the bar to meet chicks, to which he said, 'I have a girlfriend. I don’t do bars. I have something better than that.' I really didn’t know what he meant until I met Amelia and I saw them together. I can only hope to have a love like theirs one day. I haven’t been so lucky in love, but I hope to have something as timeless as yours. I love you both. To Brandon and Amelia!”

Damn, that was actually really sweet, I say to myself in my head.

I hate him even more now.

Everyone holds up their glasses and chugs, celebrating the speech. The willow branches sway behind the newly married couple as they sit at their all-white table, chattering away. Brandon is the next to stand up, rubbing the lapels of his suit. He clears his throat and shoves his hands deep into his pockets. He does that whenever he is nervous.

“Thank you, everyone, for being here tonight, and for celebrating this amazing journey of our love. We want to do something a little different than usual. We think it is only right for our Best Man and Maid of Honor to choose someone from the opposing party with whom they want to dance.”

Oh, you have got to be kidding.

“Caden? Who do you pick?” Brandon stares at him, trying to hide his mischievous smile.

I know I’m in the clear. No one ever picks the sister. There is a bro code or something like that to prevent it from happening.

“Molly. I pick Molly. It’s been too long since we last talked.”

You know the moment in school when the teacher asks a question and everyone but you raises their hand? But the teacher calls on you anyway? That is how I feel in this moment.

He struts toward me, all confident with his perfect hair. He flashes his brilliant smile and holds out his hand for me to take.

Just take his hand. You know you want to. Ugh! I don’t want to want to. He is too damn pretty for his own good, and I hate that I'm so into him.

I smile as I slide my hand into his, ignoring the shock that travels through our palms. He spins me around and pulls me toward his chest, aligning our bodies in the most intimate way. More intimate than anything I have ever felt with anyone before now. He wraps his arm around my waist and our interlocked fingertips remain in the air, our hands clasping each other.

I want to ignore how good he feels. His body is hard and strong, in a way that makes me feel safe. And hot. I don’t want to feel this way, but I can’t help my body’s reaction to him. I’d have to be dead not to feel the way I do in this moment. It doesn’t mean I have to like the reaction. I just have to ignore it. His eyes boring into me, I force myself to look the other way, staring at the crowd of people laughing and drinking instead of into his eyes.

“You look good tonight, Molly.”

I snort and turn my head to lock eyes with him, which is a mistake, because they are beautiful. I'm lost in a sea of hazel. His eyes are more brown than green, but the green adds a stunning contrast. I hate that I just noticed that. “You think every girl looks good, Caden.”

He smiles, showing off his dimples. Of course, he has dimples.

“I do, don’t I?” He spins me again and pulls me into his arms. I hate that it feels good to be so close to him.

“Too bad the poor girls aren’t smarter, or else they’d know better," I mumble, talking about Jessica. I’ve seen the looks they've been giving to each other all night long.

He acts as if my comment hurts him. “You've wounded me,” he claims.

“Like anything could ever bring down your ego.”

“I can’t help that I’m confident.” He puffs out his chest, as if that is supposed to impress me.

I hate to admit this, but it did.

“You're cocky. There’s a difference.” The wind stemming from our dancing blows his cologne into my face, and I cough as it invades my lungs. I have to hold back a whimper. My number one weakness is men who smell good.

“Jennifer doesn’t seem to think so,” he teases me, trying to get a reaction out of me.

“You mean Jessica? It's unreal that you don’t even know her name.”

“I don’t need to know hers. She only needs to know mine.”

The song ends, and I don’t hesitate to wiggle away from his strong, hot embrace. “If you don’t mind, I need to go wash my hands. I suddenly feel infected.” I turn on my heels and walk away, hating myself for falling for his charm, even though he didn’t even use it on me. His charm is so effortless that it naturally spews out of him. From his perfect hair to his perfect good looks and even his perfect smile, I'm hooked.

“Aw, don’t be like that, Molls. I know a cure.”

I glance over my shoulder just in time to see him shoot me a wink. I can’t stand him. And I can’t stand the fact that I’m just like every other girl that wants him.