Beautiful Beginning(30)

As the shouts of welcome died down, I heard the distinctive voice of Aunt

Judith rise above the sudden silence as she practically yelled, “That man

could f*ck me back into my twenties.”

Murmurs and uncomfortable laughter broke out around her but, bless her

heart, she didn’t look even a little mortified to have been caught

verbally molesting the groom loud enough for everyone to hear. She simply

shrugged and said, “What? He does. Don’t pretend like you don’t know

what I’m talking about. Our Chloe better have some tricks up her sleeve is

all I’m saying.”

“Well, you don’t see my face tattooed on his arm,” I whispered, smiling

sweetly up at Bennett.

With a scowl, he pulled me deeper into the room, making a beeline for the

bar. “The mai tais are very strong,” he cautioned me before leaning

forward and ordering one for himself. “I mean, there isn’t anything but

alcohol in them.”

“You say this like it’s a bad thing.” I pressed into him, wrapping my

arms around one of his. Smiling at the bartender, I said, “I’ll have the

same.”

“There sure is a lot of driving this week,” Bennett’s uncle Lyle

grumbled as he walked up behind us. “Why can’t we just stay put is what I

’m asking.”

I felt my eyebrows rise in question as I looked up at Bennett. Not only

were we paying for his entire family to stay in the Del; we’d also hired

cars to drive everyone wherever they needed to go. He squeezed my side in a

patient reminder: our family is crazy.

Clearing his throat, Bennett said, “Just a lot of wonderful landmarks to

hit, Lyle. Wouldn’t want you to miss out.”

Bull swept up to us, his famous beer cozy currently occupied with a can of

Bud Light, and held up double finger-triggers. “I know what I’d like to

hit this week.” He winked, made a clicking noise as he pulled the triggers

at me. “THAT LADY RIGHT THERE.”

“Appropriate,” Bennett said dryly in Bull’s wake. “Always classy, Bull.

”

Bull waved over his head and headed straight toward the empty dance floor.

The DJ was only just starting out the night with music on the upbeat but

quieter side before food and then the real party started, but it didn’t

seem to matter. Bull moon-walked out to the center of the floor and then

started soft-shoeing in circles, beckoning to every woman who dared to make

eye contact. “I’m a single stallion this week, ladies. Who’s the first

to ride?”

Most everyone turned back to their drinks, or whomever they were talking

to, or simply looked up at the ceiling.

I took my mai tai and sipped it, before coughing harshly. “Wow, you’re

not kidding.” Bennett rubbed my back as I wheezed, “That is strong.”

“Oh, please, Chlo,” George said as he approached, bumping his hip into

mine. “You’re man enough to take it.”

“More man than you are,” I agreed, looking him over. He’d changed from

his suit into dressy jeans and a fitted white button-down shirt with

intricate black diamonds on it. He looked fantastic. I felt my smile wilt a

little when I realized there wouldn’t be anyone fun here for him to flirt

with, except Will, who was taking a much-needed respite in the corner of

the room with Hanna. Will looked a little exhausted already from the

Adventures of Judith and Mary—he’d finally given in and enjoyed their

brand of absurdity, letting them feed him strawberries over breakfast while

Hanna laughed—and probably wouldn’t even be up for some good George Games

anyway. “Looks like Bennett’s cousin is out there looking for a dance

partner. Are you ready to ride the Bull?”

George’s dark eyebrows inched up as he looked over at the man in question,

still dancing alone, still working on his own brand of seduction. “Is that

my only option for shenanigans this weekend? Having fun with the Jersey

Shore contingent?”

“Sadly, I think so,” I said. “Unless you want to try to turn Will some

more. I just fear you have some cougar competition there, and from what I

hear, Hanna is trying to break his penis this weekend.”

George took my drink and enjoyed several large gulps before wincing and

handing it back, now only half full. “Holy crap that’s strong.”

“You think that’s strong,” Lyle said, pointing his drink at George,

“you should try some of the drinks we had back in the navy.”

A tiny grin pulled at the corner of George’s mouth. “I bet I would have

loved everything about the navy.”

“Every single sailor,” Bennett said under his breath, sipping his drink.

He ran his free hand down my back, coming to rest on the curve of my ass.

Lyle continued on as if no one else had spoken, “Those drinks . . . you’d