Fall for Me (Danvers #3)(44)
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The women finally had a moment to themselves. A catering service had arrived a few moments after the wedding and, by the time they reached the patio, a buffet and tables had been set up for the guests. Beth wanted to groan when she saw the array of mouthwatering food.
She loaded a small plate with a piece of fish and some green beans. Beside her, Suzy was on her second plate of food. Oh, how she envied her sister’s ability to eat anything and never worry about it.
Like Beth, Ella seemed barely to be nibbling at her food, but for altogether different reasons. Declan had yet to seek her out and she was starting to despair that it would ever happen. Beth hated to think it, but maybe it was for the best. She didn’t like imagining how badly he could hurt her friend, if given the chance. Ella was a very special person but Beth still felt like she would be out of her league with someone as worldly wise as Declan. He wasn’t the right man for her.
“So I made sure Gray got Declan here just for you, Ella. I made a special effort, despite all the wedding planning, to get that man here, and you’re still sitting in the corner. You’re wearing the dress and he’s looked at the merchandise, so what the hell are you waiting on, an engraved invitation?” Suzy asked.
“Every time I get near him, he goes the other way. I don’t know what else to do. He doesn’t want anything to do with me and I might as well accept it.”
“Oh, horseshit! Do I have to do everything around here? I’m going to set up some dancing and you are going to dance with him. Leave the details to me. I will make sure it happens. You just push those girls up there in his face and give it all you’ve got.”
Claire burst out laughing. “Only you could be at your own wedding, Suzy, and be trying to hook up your friend. Shouldn’t you be basking in the moment with your groom and not worrying about Ella’s girls being on display?”
“It might be my wedding, but when someone is so obviously in need of my expert services, I can’t turn them away. Just hang on, Ella, and I’ll take care of it as soon as we cut that big-ass cake that Gray ordered. There are only a few of us; what does he think we’re going to do with the rest of it?”
“Hey, Beth,” Claire said. “How are things working out with Operation Clinger? Has Nick resorted to begging yet?”
Beth turned a shade of red usually reserved for Ella. “Um . . . I couldn’t make it past the second day. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I want sex all the time. I don’t want to cuddle with him; I want to jump his bones . . . all the time.”
“Ugh,” Suzy interjected. “That’s wrong. Shouldn’t you be nesting or something and not doing our boss nine ways ’til Sunday?”
“I knew you would never make it.” Claire laughed. “I was the same way when I was pregnant. Jason refers to it as the glory days. I didn’t even need him around to get off.”
Looking from Claire to Beth, Suzy asked, “When did you both turn into me? If Ella suddenly starts talking about sex and orgasms, I will know the world is on the verge of collapse.”
Suddenly, Beth had a thought. “Hey, where are you two going on your honeymoon? Since we didn’t know anything about the wedding, I think we at least deserve to know where you’re going ahead of time.”
“Well, I really hate to admit this, but I don’t know. Gray wanted to surprise me. I just hope it doesn’t horrify me instead. It had better not be some hiking trip somewhere. I like to chill in my downtime and put forth very little effort.” Then, giving a saucy grin, she added, “Well, unless it’s between the sheets, and then it’s my pleasure.”
Beth and Claire laughed and Ella turned her usual shade of crimson, but gave a shy smile. The poor girl would probably be high-fiving them soon if she continued to spend so much time around Suzy.
Gray walked over at that moment and leaned down to kiss Suzy on the top of her head. “I don’t even want to know what you three are laughing about. I think it’s time for our dance, Mrs. Merimon.” Suzy took the hand that Gray extended and pulled him aside. Beth saw Gray shake his head and give her an indulgent smile. They walked to the center of the patio and Gray said, “Excuse me for a moment, everyone.” When all eyes were on him, he continued. “As you all know, my wife is very shy and doesn’t like to be the center of attention.” As the hoots of laughter finally died down, Gray continued. “Since my wife is so shy, we would both love it if everyone would join us in our first dance as a married couple. So Mom and Dad, Jason and Claire, Nick and Beth, and Declan and Ella, we would consider this the perfect wedding if you would join in as well.”
“Oh, brother,” Claire murmured. “That girl is evil and she even has Gray in on the action. All right, Ella, don’t just stare at him, get up and make your move. Suzy probably had to promise Gray something illegal tonight in order to pull this off for you.”
“What if he doesn’t want to dance with me?” Ella asked timidly.
“Trust me, Ella,” Beth added, “he does. I caught him staring at you at least a dozen times tonight, so go for it. Give him a chance to see or feel what he’s missing.”
Beth smiled as the opening notes of a song from one of her sister’s favorite bands started up. “Thank You for Loving Me,” by Bon Jovi began to play as Suzy and Gray wrapped their arms around each other. Nick pulled Beth from her chair and swung her into his arms, joining his parents who were obviously experienced dancers. Claire and Jason followed them, leaving only one couple who had yet to join the dancing. Beth looked over her shoulder to see Declan offer his hand to a shy Ella. She could see the beaming smile that Ella bestowed on Declan as he too pulled her onto the patio’s informal dance floor.