Fall for Me (Danvers #3)(45)
“My sister is an evil genius,” Beth whispered into Nick’s ear.
Nick looked at her in question. “Other than the usual things, is there any particular reason for you to say that tonight?”
Beth cut her eyes to Declan and Ella. Nick looked, and understanding came into his eyes. “Those two? Are you kidding me? Your sister has missed her mark; they have, like, zero in common. I like Declan, but he is . . . way out of her league.”
“I know,” she admitted. “But she really likes him, and he seems to feel something for her. Have you ever known him to have casual conversations with anyone?”
“Nope,” Nick said. “He’s direct and blunt.”
“See, that’s just it. He isn’t like that with her. He seeks her out. He brings her things and it just seems like he’s different with her. I have seen it with my own two eyes or I wouldn’t believe it. She asked him over for dinner last week and he’s been avoiding her ever since.” With a sigh, Beth shrugged. “Maybe he just sees her like a sister.”
Nick chuckled. “I’ve met his sister and he isn’t all warm and fuzzy with her. I can’t imagine he ever was.” He glanced over at Ella and added, “She’s very pretty and it looks like he knows that. Maybe he’s trying to do the right thing and not bring his shitload of baggage to her. He’s been to some bad places in life and it would probably scare Snow White to death if she had seen half of what he has. I think Suzy should leave this one alone, and if Ella is your best friend, then you should tell her to find another guy to wear her heart on her sleeve for. Declan might try not to, but he will crush her.”
Beth followed his gaze and studied the two of them together. Ella looked up at Declan in adoration and he looked down at her with an expression that was clearly torn and conflicted. It was plain to see that he felt something for Ella. Beth had a feeling that Nick was right, and that if she were any kind of friend, she should tell Ella to run and never look back. The bad thing was that Ella probably wouldn’t listen. Maybe at some point in every woman’s life she has to have her heart broken by a bad boy so she can appreciate the good ones when they came along. Looking up at Nick, Beth had to wonder if he was a bad boy or a good guy. She had always assumed he fit neatly into the bad-boy column, but now she wasn’t so sure. Nick had some of the same traits, but deep down she knew he was a good man. Was that also true of Declan, or was he past saving? She also knew that if anyone could save him, Ella could.
* * *
The party lasted until well into the morning, when Suzy finally stood up in front of everyone and said, “Don’t you people know when to go home? It’s my wedding night, and if you would pack it up and leave, I would make my new groom a very happy man.”
Gray stepped forward smoothly and curled his arm around Suzy. “Your new groom is already a very happy man, but I like where you’re going with this.”
Clearing her throat, an emotional Suzy said, “On a serious note, I want to thank you for being here on the happiest day of my life. I know I bust your chops on a regular basis, but I love you all and this has been the perfect night for me because the most important people in my world are here.” With a very un-Suzy-like sniff, she whispered, “I love you guys to the moon and back.”
Gray pulled her deeper into his arms and kissed her tenderly in front of all their guests. Then, with misty eyes of his own, he said, “I agree with Suzy. Each of you here is now family to us. No one here should ever doubt our dedication to each other or to each of you. We hope this is always somewhere you call home.” With a cough, he looked at Nick and added, “We would be happy if some of you didn’t make yourself so much at home.”
Embarrassed, Beth turned her face into Nick’s side and said, “He is never going to get over that whole sex-in-his-house thing, is he?”
Nick’s body shook in laughter. “Nope. When you decided to confess to your sister, you should have told her we had sex at a Howard Johnson or something. Did you have to specifically mention the kitchen counter?”
“Yeah, my bad.” Beth laughed.
Then everyone said good-bye to the newlyweds, and Vicky pulled Beth away from Nick, tucking Beth’s arm through hers. “We are so happy to have our families officially joined now. John and I couldn’t love Suzy more if she were our own daughter.” Then, with a laugh, she admitted, “I would love to raid her closet. Your sister and I seem to have the same taste in clothing.”
Beth smiled, enjoying the easy conversation with Nick’s mother. “Yes, I’ve always admired Suzy’s unique style. No matter what she wears, she looks great. I could never pull off stuff like she does.”
“Are you kidding? Beth, you are gorgeous, and a paper sack would look good on you. I really admire you. I don’t think anything in your life has come easy, and look at you today. You have accomplished so much. I can see why Nick is attracted to you.” Then, with a sly laugh, she added, “We won’t mention the obvious reasons that you turn his head. I have a feeling that you could give my son a run for his money any day of the week and he needs that. I don’t know your plans for the future or even if you and Nick have discussed them, but John and I look forward to you and the babies being a big part of our life always.”
Beth was starting to tear up when Nick and his father walked up. His father pulled her into a warm hug and then put his arm around his wife. “Honey, we need to go. You know my parents will be in first thing tomorrow and we probably both need some sleep for that.”