Beyond These Walls (The Walls Duet #2)(17)

I was a big guy. I couldn’t survive on half a plate of food.

Looking up, I found Grace watching us with doe eyes. Her lips were puckered into a little pout.

“What?”

“That’s adorable—and kind of weird at the same time,” she said.

“Shut it.” I grinned before stuffing a large piece of potato in my mouth.

Everyone soon finished their plates, and dessert was about to be served. Lailah and I had preselected this course, wanting it to be special and knowing many might try to go without.

“Pudding?” Grace laughed as the waiters set the dishes in front of everyone. “We’re having chocolate pudding for dessert?”

Lailah dipped her finger into the dark chocolate creaminess and brought it to her lips. “Yep, we sure are.”

Everyone chuckled as spoons were lifted, and people began eating.

“Oh my heavens,” my mom said from across the table after taking her first bite. “This is divine.”

And it was. It wasn’t the store-bought brand the hospital cafeteria stocked that had once brought two lonely people together years ago. We still loved our Snack Packs, especially in bed, but for tonight, we wanted something special, and the chef had given us just that.

Taking my first bite, I glanced over just in time to see my brother spoon-feeding his escort. Her tongue slithered out like a snake, the tip seductively caressing the silky chocolate. My brother looked on with a lustful dark expression.

Now, I was the one who wanted to hurl.

And my appetite was officially gone.

Lailah, having already finished her bowl, took a few bites from mine before everything was cleared off the table. As conversations ended, jackets and coats were returned, and everyone was bundling up for the cold weather outside.

We all headed slowly for the entrance. Lailah and I trailed behind, our joined hands swinging between us. As we reached the door, we paused to stand face-to-face.

“I guess this is where we say good-bye.”

“Not good-bye,” she corrected. “That’s the great thing about marriage—never having to say good-bye.”

“Then, what do we say?” I asked, grasping her hands in my own.

“See you later.” she winked, reminding me of the wisdom I’d once given her not so long ago.

“Okay.” I smiled. “See you later, Angel.”

She grinned, reaching up to briefly kiss my lips. My arm caught her waist and held her, deepening our once chaste kiss, until catcalls sounded around us.

“Come on, Jude. Save some for the wedding!” Marcus called out.

We pulled apart, and a smug grin plastered across my face as our foreheads touched.

“I think that’s your father’s way of saying that it’s time to go.” I chuckled.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Mr. Cavanaugh.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

I watched her begin to walk away. Her fingers lingered, holding and grasping on mine, until we were finally forced to let go. The door swung open, and I felt the chill from outside hit my face as she and the rest of the crew staying at the hotel walked through it before heading down the street. My hands went to my pockets, seeking the warmth they’d lost when she left. I never noticed my brother still lingering in the corner.

“How about a celebratory drink? One final hurrah before the last nail gets pounded into that coffin of yours tomorrow.”

I turned to find him watching me, his dark eyes skeptical and leery.

“Where did your date go?” I asked, stepping toward the bar, figuring that was enough of an answer for him.

“She had to . . . work.”

“Hmm,” was all I said.

We settled into two stools and ordered—whiskey sour for Roman, Coke for me.

“Why did you bring her?” I asked, turning toward him, as I ran my hands through my hair in frustration. “You knew it would piss me off. So, why do it? Do you really hate me that much, Roman?”

His expression hardened. “You know, not every-f*cking-thing in this world revolves around you, little brother.” He stood swiftly, swaying slightly, and he stepped away from the bar. “I think I’ll go find someone else to drink with tonight. Drinking solo wasn’t exactly what I’d had in mind.”

He threw down a twenty for the drinks we had yet to be served and bailed, leaving me confused and alone at the bar.

Our drinks arrived moments later, and as the bartender set them down, he looked around and asked, “Your friend all right?”

“I have no idea,” I answered honestly.

With Roman, I never did.

“RISE AND SHINE!” I announced, spreading the heavy curtains apart to let the golden sunlight stream into the previously dark hotel room.

The large space was immediately flooded with blinding bright light from the world outside, and I turned to see two unhappy people gazing up at me from the beds across the room.

“You know, when I agreed to this sleepover, I assumed it would include sleep—or at least more sleep than I usually receive during a normal night at home with an infant and a husband who swears he doesn’t steal all the covers. He does, by the way.”

I giggled softly as I looked over at my poor sleepy friend. I tried covering my mouth, but it in no way hid the smile peeking out. “It’s my wedding day!” I said happily. “We’ve got things to do!”