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She’s giddy, but her dad looks pained.

Bron steps out, and she hugs me first and then says hi to Oliver. Then, the two girls hug like they haven’t seen each other in years.

Oliver shakes his head. “I don’t know what makes me more nervous, the fact that she’s a bridesmaid so young or the makeup and heels part.”

I chuckle. “Don’t worry. She’s a beautiful girl. She doesn’t need much. But…” I lean in. “I’ll preach my less-is-more gospel.”

He leans a little closer too, his lips only a breath from mine. “I knew I could count on you. And coming from someone like you, she’ll one hundred percent believe it.”

I blink up at him. “Someone like me?”

“Beautiful and an expert at these things.” His mouth is so close.

God, all I need to do is lean in a bit more. If I hadn’t sworn off men, if the girls weren’t right there, if it wouldn’t ruin everything…

“I know a little and will happily share with her.”

His smile deepens. “Thank you for including my negrita in all your plans. She was very excited for today, and as much as I try, this is the part where I’m a…fish out of water?”

I resist the urge to bite my lip. Or his.

“You’ve done a great job. She’s a gem.”

“Thank you, Luciana. How’s life in Baltimore thus far?” he asks.

“Good, so far. Excited about what you can do with your hands.”

His eyebrow rises, and I realize how that sounded.

I clear my throat. “Not like that.”

I wish it was like that, though. A lot.

My cheeks are suddenly on fire.

“Yeah, your reno is going to look amazing,” he says, but the light dancing in his eyes is too much. He’s enjoying this.

I nod, powering through the blush. “Yeah, uh?—”

The door flies open again, and Adri, my sister-in-law, steps out. Her eyes bounce back and forth between us. She smiles, missing nothing, but turns her attention to the teenagers. “Girls, come on. We’re leaving.”

Lauren steps out and zeroes in on us. “Your brother is trying to convince me to elope just hours before our wedding.”

“I guess I’ll see you all tomorrow,” Ollie says, but his gaze is on me. He and Adri escort the girls to the car.

Lauren hooks my arm with hers. “He’s going stag too. You should totally take advantage and kick it to him. Or get him alone in a corner for a Christmas do-over. I’m all for someone getting it on my day. I did after Winter’s wedding, and it was so good. This would be my way of paying love forward.”

“Stop, you know I?—”

“Yeah, yeah, you swore off men. So did I, and then your brother came back into my life. Now, I don’t know if you know…” She leans in and whispers in my ear, “I’m getting married to him tomorrow. It’s a proven formula.”

As she ducks into the limo, my gaze meets Oliver, and he waves. He’s so fine I feel all tingly. I would totally be up for getting him in a corner.

Nope, not doing that. I’m going to stay the course.

But I can’t help but take in all of him before I climb into the vehicle.

Lux