Jax (Titan #9)(105)

Jax sat next to Seven as she settled back into her chair. With Bianca now on his knee and Nolan thankfully not spinning, he fixed the fuchsia bow in the little girl's hair. "You know what, buttercup?"

Bianca sniffled. "What?"

"I hid every ring."

She brightened, tears instantly gone. "Where?"

"Get your brother, and I'll tell you where the one no one will find is."

Bianca hopped off, hugging Nolan and dragging him back to Jax. "We're ready."

"Under the bubble refill station."

Her eyes went wide. "Under it?"

"Yes." He leaned down. "That's top secret. Tell no one and get it without being seen. Go."

Both kids snuck into the crowd, and Seven laughed. "How very Titan of you."

Jax leaned close, stealing a kiss but letting it linger as she sighed.

"Oh!"

He slid her onto his lap. "Where are you? Somewhere in here…"

"Stop it." She pulled the skirt from under her, readjusting. "Better?"

"Better when I take this dress off of you," he teased. "But until then…" He dropped a kiss on her shoulder, and they looked over as Adelia gagged.

"You know I'm still here, right?"

"You could always go hunt for plastic rings with the kids," Jax said. "I hid a few hundred all over the place. You're bound to get one somehow."

"You're lucky I love that guy." Adelia eyed Seven and pointed at Jax. "And that he looks good in a tux. Because he's toeing the line of getting slapped."

Jax chuckled. "Worked out well for me last time I was slapped at a wedding."

"Actually, it didn't." Seven turned, shaking her head. "You were denied."

"I played the long game, princess, and got married."

"Twice," Adelia pointed out.

And this one knocked every hope and dream off the wedding wish list, all the way up to the organ music and big poufy dress.

"I get two honeymoons," Jax added. "Bonus."

Though this one wouldn't involve a hangover or cartel but rather an all-inclusive resort and pampering.

Colin walked up with Victoria and Ryder. She was tucked under his arm as she and Colin tried to jam two plastic puzzle pieces together. One was a heart, and the other a key.

Ryder just shook his head then eyed Seven. "These games were all your idea?"

"Absolutely. I wanted to make sure everyone talked to each other." Seven had even made signs for the church that said there was no such thing as sides; anyone could sit anywhere. But when she had seen how much fun Jax had putting the kid games together, it was a natural fit to add adult icebreaker games as well.

Ryder winked at his wife. "She's going to sulk all night long that I didn't unlock her heart."

"My key is heartless," Colin added.

"You're heartless." Ryder craned his neck. "I gave my heart to Hawke, and look at the guy"—they all followed Ryder's nod—"making out in the corner with someone half his age. I'd like to think I had something to do with that."

"Ugh, things I never wanted to see! Hawke getting his groove on." Victoria's face pinched then she turned to Seven and Jax. "You guys good?"

Seven beamed. "In heaven."

"Good. Because I want to dance so I won't sulk." Victoria pulled Ryder up as he groaned.

"She's using me for my moves."

"Well, I'm not good." Adelia pouted, holding up her partnerless puzzle piece. "And I've looked everywhere."

Colin flipped his key in the air. "Didn't ask me, either, V. The non-married crowd is feeling excluded."

Victoria playfully huffed as Ryder came behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Oh, for goodness sake, you two. Did you even try your puzzle pieces together?"

Colin laughed at the oblivious mistake, holding his out to Adelia. "Now you're blowing us both off."

Adelia feigned disillusioned agreement, not paying attention as she pushed the key toward Colin. "They can't help it if—" Her head snapped toward the connected heart-and-key puzzle then up. "Colin! You had the key to my heart the whole time!"

Victoria's mouth fell open—even Ryder seemed surprised, raising a hand. "I brought him over. I claim this couple, too."

Seven leaned against Jax. "Aw, I even heard them click."

"That's not a couple. It's a game."

"It's whatever happens." Ryder snuggled close to Victoria as Adelia threw her arms around Colin. "Let's go, love."

It was as though Seven saw hearts bubbling above the forming connection. She took Ryder's cue, turning to her husband as Jax ran a hand down the intricate buttons on the back of her wedding dress.

"Come on, princess. Time to dance again."

Seven pursed her lips because Jax never wanted to dance. Even he could see that there was a moment unfolding. "So that's how it's done."

"What?" he asked.

She pulled her heavy dress up as she slid off his lap. "A meet-cute at a wedding that doesn't involve a slap."

"Hardy-har." He winked. "Let's see you shake your booty, babe." Then he followed Ryder and Victoria.