Page 2 of Take My Love

“What exactly do you want me to do?” I ask cautiously.

He doesn’t know about my little obsession. Otherwise there’sno way he’d ask me this. Warren’s the oldest of five kids and very protective of his siblings. Posey can hold her own, but I’m not sure he’d approve of me dating her. It’d be a risk in the event we didn’t work out and then he’d be stuck in the middle between wanting to kick my ass and protecting his sister.

“She’s gonna sneak alcohol at some point—which is whatever—but could you make sure she doesn’t overdo it? I don’t want her to leave with some random dipshit or find a closet to cry in. This is, like, the third guy in the past six months so she’s feelin’ kinda low.”

My jaw locks, keeping the words I want to say inside so I don’t reveal my secret.

“Yeah, no problem. I’ll make sure she gets to her room safely.”

Everyone’s staying at this fancy-ass hotel since Maisie’s parents are rich snobs and wouldn’t let them get married at the ranch. But all that matters is he gets to marry the love of his life, so Warren hasn’t complained.

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.” He smacks my shoulder, the goofiest smile splitting his face. “Time to find my future wife.”

The sickly in love couple are doing a first look before the ceremony, so it’s a private moment between them and the photographer. I wait in the dressing room with Warren’s brothers who are the other groomsmen. Since they’re all younger than him, they look more bored than excited.

“Okay, it’s time,” the wedding planner announces, eagerly clapping.

Watching my best friend tear up at the love of his life walking down the aisle has me choking back my own emotions.Their love is so rare and inspiring that it’s hard not to be envious they found it so early in life. They have years of shared memories from their youth, and now they get to grow together into adulthood and make endless new ones.

They have that forever kind of love that nothing or no one can get in between.

“Picture time!” one of Maisie’s bridesmaids calls out.

My gaze catches Posey’s who, despite being upset about her breakup, has been smiling and looking bright-eyed all afternoon. Her blonde hair is pulled up, exposing the nape of her neck. A strand falls around her face and she delicately twists it with her finger to keep it curled.

She catches me looking at her and gives me a lingering look down my tuxedo before shifting toward Bellamy, the youngest Langston sibling. She’s only thirteen, but Warren and Maisie wanted all their brothers and sisters in the wedding party.

“If Mrs. Callaway tells us to smile one more goddamn time, I’m gonna stick one of my four-inch heels through her eye…” Posey’s low muttering next to me has me choking back a laugh.

It’s been an hour and a half of moving to different spots and posing in various positions throughout the venue and in the courtyard while Maisie’s mother continuously scolds us to straighten our spines and show more teeth.

Add in the June Southern heat, it’s been a miserable time.

“No shit. My cheeks hurt,” I say, rubbing my hand along my jaw and stretching it out. “I think she’s the worst Momzilla I’ve ever seen.”

“More like, of the century. I dunno how Maisie deals with her.”

I shrug since I honestly don’t know either. It’s probably why she was so eager to move seven hundred miles away for college because her parents are overbearing and try to dictate every aspect of her life.

Before I can respond, we’re being directed toward the reception ballroom. We’re doing a grand entrance before the happy couple enters as husband and wife.

“Hey, in case I don’t get to talk to you until later, save me a dance?” I say before being yanked to the end of the line beside the maid of honor.

Posey glances over her shoulder with a smirk, and I give her a wink of confirmation.

I tell myself I’m watching out for her the way Warren asked, but deep down, I want to recreate that kiss I haven’t been able to get out of my head in the past twelve months.

POSEY

My alarm blaring somehow sounds in the distance and inside my head at the same time.

Which, I might add, is fucking pounding.

“Make it stop…” a deep rumble near me has my eyes sprinting open wide and confused.

Scanning the hotel room, I quickly realize it’s not mine and locate my phone on the floor next to a pile of clothes.

Oh God. I’m naked.