You Were Mine (Rosemary Beach #9)(33)

Woods ignored him.

“I’m so happy for them,” Bethy said.

I was, too. “Yeah,” I agreed.

“Honeymoon starts after the reception. Brides are funny about that shit!” Rush called out.

This time, Della broke the kiss and looked back at us with laughter in her eyes. “You’re right. I want to dance with my husband,” she said.

The look of possessiveness on Woods’s face as she called him her husband didn’t go unnoticed by anyone.

“Wait until she realizes what happens every time she refers to him as her husband,” Blaire said as she and Rush stopped beside us.

Bethy laughed, but it wasn’t a full laugh. There was a sadness there. I f*cking hated that. I didn’t want her sad. She’d been sad for so long.

“Let’s go party,” I said, stopping the blissful married sex talk and tightening my hold on Bethy as I led her toward the reception.

Once we reached the tent, Bethy pulled away and gave me a small, embarrassed smile. She hadn’t realized I was still holding on to her until that moment—it was obvious from the look on her face. She’d been comfortable with me holding her, and damn, I liked that. “You’ll be at the bride and groom’s table over there.” She pointed to the table closest to the dance floor, with the most elaborate centerpiece.

I hadn’t realized I wouldn’t be able to sit by her again. Did this mean I had to sit next to Charity? Shit.

“We’re here, Bethy,” Blaire called out to her from across the dance floor. They were also close to the dance floor but on the other side of the room.

“Enjoy the dinner,” she said before turning and walking away from me. I watched as her hips swayed and her satin dress moved over her ass. God, she was gorgeous. But then, she always had been.

“I believe you’re my dinner partner again tonight,” an unwelcomed female voice said, interrupting my thoughts.

I glanced over at Charity. She was beaming a little too brightly. Almost as if she was forcing her joy. This probably hadn’t been easy on her, either. She’d thought she would have a happily-ever-after once, too. It hadn’t turned out that way.

“Yeah, I’m sure we are,” I replied with a halfhearted smile, and motioned for her to lead the way.

Bethy

The tinkling sound of the spoon hitting the champagne glass quieted the room, and I turned around, knowing who had caught everyone’s attention. It was time for the maid of honor and the best man to make their speeches. I had tried to keep my eyes off that table since I sat down. I wasn’t a fan of the beautiful blonde, Charity.

Was I jealous?

Yes. Yes, I was.

Tripp grinned, and I was sure every single female guest melted a little. “It appears I’m going first,” he said, then cocked a teasing eyebrow at Braden. Laughter filled the tent.

“First of all, I’d like to take all the credit for this,” he said, waving a hand at Woods and Della. “I was the one who sent Della to Rosemary Beach, or back to Rosemary Beach. I had no idea she’d passed through months earlier. But regardless, she came back because of me.”

More laughter. It was no surprise Tripp was good at this. He had always been able to charm a crowd.

“I didn’t realize the infamous Woods Kerrington was in deep until the night he walked into my apartment for my welcome-home party. It’s a wonder I’m standing here today. The man had staked his claim, and he was prepared to take down anyone in his way.” He paused again while everyone laughed. They all knew exactly what he was referring to.

“Della’s special. I knew it the moment I met her. But I could see in her eyes the same lost soul I saw in my own mirror every day. We were kindred spirits. All I knew was that if I could go back to Rosemary Beach, then maybe I’d have a chance of finding myself. But I wasn’t ready. So I did the next best thing. I sent Della. If I wasn’t ready to help myself, I wanted to at least help her.” He stopped and looked down at Woods. “And I was right. When I look at Della now, that lost look is completely gone. There’s joy and love shining in her eyes.

“And you.” He nudged Woods. “Dude, you’re so completely owned.” Laughter rang out, and Della leaned into her husband, holding his arm tightly.

“Once you asked me to hold her because you couldn’t. You didn’t want her to be alone. But what I understood then, which you hadn’t quite figured out yet, was that you’re the only one who can hold her, man. Your arms are her home.”

Tripp looked back out at the crowd and held up his champagne glass. “I’d wish you all the happiness in the world, but you’ve both already got that. Congratulations, you two. Cheers.”

I took a sip of my champagne and watched as Della stood up and threw her arms around Tripp, happy tears shining in her eyes. Woods stood up and casually took his wife’s arm and made a show of bringing her possessively to his side. Then he shook Tripp’s hand and thanked him before leaning in and saying something in his ear and slapping him on the back.

Grinning, both men sat down.

“I would hate to be Braden and have to follow that up. He was fantastic,” Blaire whispered.

I completely agreed with her.

Thad was a good dance partner, but his eyes were on a pretty server who also had her eyes on him. As soon as the dance was finished, I leaned in close to his ear. “Make sure you don’t get caught. She’ll probably get fired,” I warned him.