Page 31 of Take Me (Cherry Blossom Lake #5)

Erika

“ D early beloved.”

Crossing my legs, I settle in to watch Jake and Cassidy get married.

It’s a beautiful church, brimming with light from the big stained-glass windows.

Cassidy’s dress is frothy and white, and she’s wearing her hair in an updo.

I can’t see the seashells on the comb of the veil, but knowing they’re there makes me happy.

“—marriage is the joining of two individuals pledging eternal devotion and love.” The minister drones on, and I try to pay attention. But it’s tough when my gaze keeps snagging on Mason.

He stands between Kaleb and Cal at the front of the church, the best-looking groomsman in the bunch.

Mason’s dashing in a dove-gray tux, with a bold cobalt tie that brings out the blue in his eyes.

He’s tamed his rumpled dark hair into a look that’s more polished gentleman and a little less guy who bent me over the kitchen counter last night .

Hard to believe he’s the same guy, but I’m getting used to the contrast. Funny how quickly I’ve gone from seeing Mason as my lifelong platonic pal to seeing his head between my thighs as I claw at the sheets.

It's temporary, I remind myself.

But what a way to embrace this long string of weddings on our calendars.

I’m dimly aware of Neil sitting six rows behind me.

I watched him waltz in just a few minutes before the start of the ceremony, Annabelle serene on his arm.

She looked bubbly and bright in a magenta sheath dress, and she waved with a genuine smile when she saw me.

Neil glanced away, pretending to greet someone else.

I preferred that, to be honest. I’d rather not face the happy couple without my best wingman beside me. With Mason up front, I’m clinging to Hazel as my plus-one for this part of the ceremony.

My gaze drifts down to the front rows of pews. There’s my dad, parked beside the mother of the bride, holding Ruby’s hand as she beams up at Cass. My father looks dashing in a navy-blue shirt, and I remember the talk we had two nights ago.

“Are we okay?” he asked when I swung by the house to grab a few things.

“Of course we’re okay. How come?”

“Just wondering if you had any questions about Ruby and me.”

“If you’re happy, I’m happy.”

He looked like he didn’t believe me. “You’re sure you don’t want to talk?”

“Positive.” The last thing I wanted to do was discuss my dad’s love life. The fact that he’s moved on from Mom—something he had every right to do—makes me feel queasy and sad.

But no way could I say that, so I settled for kissing his cheek on my way out the door. “I hope Ruby treats you well.”

She looks lovely in her turquoise mother-of-the-bride dress as she watches her daughter step forward with Jake to light the unity candle. Mason catches my eye, and I stifle a giggle. At last night’s rehearsal, he kept cracking me up with quips about this part of the service.

“Don’t get confused and start lighting farts at the altar,” Mason coached Jake with a perfectly straight face. “I know you used to be the champion, but there’s a time and a place for?—”

“Can I punch him now,” Jake grumbled to Cass, “or do I have to wait until after the wedding?”

She pretended to ponder. “We don’t want any groomsmen having black eyes in our pictures.”

“Good point,” Jake grumbled, pointing a finger at Mason. “Don’t be a dumbass at my wedding.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he pledged, winking at me from across the table.

Now as I watch him stand perfectly still, I’m struck by the contrast again. I’ve loved Mason’s humor since I was a kid, but I’m finding myself loving this version, too. The serious groomsman supporting his brother, representing his family in this milestone moment.

Maybe I’m biased, but as he stands at attention between Kaleb and Cal, there’s really no contest who’s hotter.

Mason’s blue eyes twinkle with light from the candles.

He’s watching his brother with pride in his gaze as Jake steers Cass up a small set of steps.

Mason pivots to watch, and I can’t help admiring how fantastic his ass looks in those pants.

Stop ogling the groomsman.

I focus on Jake and Cass lighting the candle. That’s when I spot it: a pale scrap of fabric poking out of Jake’s pants pocket. It’s lacy and silvery-blue.

Oh God . Is that… panties?

My mouth hinges open, and I snap it closed fast as Hazel looks over. She goes back to watching the ceremony as my eyes shift to Mason.

He’s looking at me, then back to Jake, making it clear he saw my reaction. Can he see what I see, sticking out of Jake’s trousers?

Two seconds later, I have my answer. Mason’s eyes widen as they snag on his brother’s right pocket. He looks back at me, face filled with shock as he mouths one word.

Panties?

I nod with a quick glance at Cass. They’re hers, I assume, unless Jake’s into cross dressing. There’s no way he’d cheat, since he’s madly in love with his soon-to-be wife.

So they’re hers, and… okay. To each their own. With as much as Cass cares about photos, would she want us to fix this?

Sliding my gaze back to Mason, I watch him lift one hand to his cheek. While pretending to scratch, he mouths four more words in my direction.

What should I do?

Shrugging, I glance back at Hazel. As refined as she is, she’d know the best move in this moment.

But she’s dabbing her eyes with a tissue, behaving like any normal woman at a wedding.

From the moment we got here, I’ve been surrounded by fellow females who gush over flowers and recognize shoe brands from six feet away.

Meanwhile, I’m transfixed by the underpants sticking out of the groom’s pocket.

Those are panties, right? Yes, definitely. A handkerchief wouldn’t be lacy and satin, and he’d have it in his breast pocket, not his pants. What the hell should we do?

Aiming my glance back at Mason, I watch the wheels turn in his head.

As Jake puts his pillar back in the candleholder, Mason seizes his chance.

He shifts to the right, patting Jake’s arm like he’s proud of his brother.

As discretely as possible, he snakes out a hand and pushes the panties back into Jake’s pocket.

But Jake turns too fast and oh crap —now the panties hang half in, half out. They swing as he walks, a lacy thong pendulum put there to taint this sweet moment.

A cringing Mason moves back to his spot in the neat row of groomsmen. How is nobody else seeing this? I scan for the photographer, spotting her off to the right. She’s down on her knees, zooming in tight on the couple.

Crap.

Cass and Jake move to the spot where they’ll now say their vows. The stopwatch ticks faster, counting down to the moment of truth. Their first kiss as husband and wife is a photo I’m certain most brides dream of. What will Cassidy think if the money shot features her underthings?

I glance back at Mason, who mouths something quickly that it takes me a second to get.

Right or left?

Ah, he can’t see from this angle. He needs me to guide him to make one last grab for the panties.

Lifting a finger, I point to the left and then down.

If Mason moves fast when Jake and Cass pass him, he can save all their photos and spare this sweet couple embarrassment.

We’re working together, me guiding Mason like a football coach giving hand signals.

Hazel looks over, forehead scrunching as I bury my hands in my lap.

I give her an innocent smile and do my best to focus on Jake and Cass.

They’re moving past Mason, moments away from pledging to love, honor, and cherish.

I watch the scene play out in slow-mo, seeing Mason shift on the balls of his feet.

His left hand whips out, brushing the groom’s right pantleg.

My gallant white knight snatches the underpants with lightning quick reflexes.

He’s almost home free when Jake whirls to face him.

“The hell?” The groom’s rough growl rattles the sound system.

Mason’s a picture of innocence. “Sorry?”

“Why the fuck did you grab me?”

Wincing, I glance at the bride. I expect her to blanch, but Cassidy just looks serene. I guess if you marry Jake Spencer-King, you expect a few f-bombs at the wedding.

Jake stares at his brother, then looks down to see Mason’s hands stuffed in his pockets. “Did you just steal my wife’s panties?”

“Uh—what?”

“Jake.” Cassidy punches her groom in the arm. “Shh!”

“What?” He turns back to Mason and grumbles. “That was our secret.”

Mason frowns. “Say what?”

Everyone’s staring, the whole congregation. I’m wondering if the bridal party forgot they’re all miked. Biting down on my knuckle, I watch this play out like a freakshow I’ve helped set in motion.

Jake growls again. “That was my something blue.”

Cass clears her throat. “ Borrowed from his bride.”

I watch Mason’s gaze dart between them as the photographer keeps clicking away. A slow grin spreads over his face as he drags his hand out of his pocket.

“In that case,” he says, cramming the panties into his brother’s clenched fist, “let me be first to wish you a very happy honeymoon.”

“Holy shit, that was wild.” I fling my arms wide and fall backwards onto our bed.

Mason’s bed, technically, though now that I’ve lived here a while, it’s starting to feel more like ours.

I’m ignoring the fact that Annabelle slept here before me. Shoving that thought from my mind, I roll to my side as Mason tugs off his tie. He’s grinning his warm, Mason grin as he tosses his tux jacket over a chair and sprawls out beside me.

“My life flashed before my eyes when Jake turned around.” He props his chin in a hand and brushes the hair off my face. “I still can’t believe Cass was so chill about the panties.”

“They had to know that was kind of a risky tradition.” Is it really tradition if they just made it up on the fly? “A sweet idea, though.”

“Let’s please refrain from calling my brother’s sex life ‘sweet.’” He shudders like he just pictured Jake in the act. “This is the guy who gave me my first wedgie.”