Page 78 of The Legend of Lovers Hollow
“So do you.” His mouth curves as his gaze glides over me. I resist the urge to smooth my tux down.
It’s certainly not even in the same league as Morgan’s; his is designer and mine is literally off the rack from Slaters, although they did offer to tailor it to fit my bum cheeks properly, so that was nice of them. Apparently, I have a lot of junk in the trunk, as the Americans would say.
“Where’s Sam?” I ask.
“He’s out in the lobby being nosy while Thad sets up some more equipment. They’re convinced something is going to manifest there tonight.”
“I never thought I’d say this, but god, I hope not,” I whisper.
“It’ll be fine,” he says, and as I turn away to look out over the ballroom, he strokes my back.
“Do you really believe that?”
“No.” He smiles. “I think tonight is going to go like everything else in this hotel. What’s the saying? Tits up?”
I snort and then take a deep breath.Okay, it’s fine, everything is going to be fine,I mentally chant to myself.
“It really does look great in here, Ellis,” Morgan says, looking around.
All the guests have dressed up so prettily, and the room is an explosion of pink and white around them. Bunting is looped from the ceiling, balloons are everywhere, ribbons, chiffon, everything we could get our hands on fills every space we could get to.
“I am certain the Schäfers are flirting with the Taylor-Joneses.” Warren suddenly appears beside us, wearing one of his suits since he didn’t have a tux with him, but he still looks really good. Something Thad has definitely noticed.
Warren takes a sip of his champagne and his words register in my brain. “Seriously?”
He nods and wiggles his brows. “I think someone’s marriage is getting a little spiced up tonight.”
“They did say they wanted to try new things.” I glance in their direction and see the party of five drinking and standing very close together. There’s also a lot going on with their body language.
Deciding it’s really not my business as long as everyone is safe, happy, and consenting, my gaze shifts across the room. Rosie is chatting happily with Jules and Bez, whereas Aggie and Kem are having a conversation by the buffet table as she lays out more platters of food.
“Check DJ John the Maid in the house,” Warren says. “Still waters run deep. Who knew the man had so many talents?”
I look over to the makeshift stage and see John the Maid at the DJ station, queuing up all the music. He’s wearing a huge pair of headphones and turning nobs and dials or whatever he’s doing. He’s no longer wearing his customary apron, but his only other concession to formality is to swap his logo’d T-shirt for a very shiny satin button-up shirt in a very wild print.
“Oh no.” I hold my breath when I see Wally, not only with two black eyes and a bandaged nose. He’s limping towards John on a pair of crutches, one leg bandaged from his toes to his knee. “That’s not going to end well.”
“I’ve got this.” Morgan strides off across the ballroom.
“I see you guys picked up another stray.” Warren chuckles as he nods in the direction of Esme sitting in her wheelchair with Essie and Martha on one side and Vic and Cedric on the other. “This place is beginning to feel like The Best Marigold Hotel. You’re halfway towards bypassing hotel status and heading into retirement village territory.”
I turn to look at him and smile sweetly. “Why don’t you go say hi to Thad?”
“Ooh, kitty’s got claws.” He grins. “I’m going to enjoy having you as my future brother-in-law.”
I suck in a sharp breath and end up choking on my own spit and coughing. Wow, that isn’t embarrassing at all. Warren slaps me on the back a few times.
“I’m not—me and Morgan are not–”
“Oh, please.” Warren snorts. “You and he are like penguins or whatever. You mate for life. It’s written all over you, and having vetted you as my brother’s partner, I can say I fully approve. Of course, this does mean you are now subjected to the same teasing as him. Sorry.” He gives me big puppy-eyes as a fake apology . “Them’s the rules in that pesky fine print.”
I chuckle. “I like you too, Warren. I’m really glad Morgan has you.”
“Well, aren’t we just nauseatingly complimentary.” He shudders. “I feel like I need to go and be sarcastic to someone to balance out my karma.”
“Well, you’re in luck. Thad just walked in.”
Warren turns towards the doorway and his expression instantly darkens when he sees Thad walk in with Sam. “Excuse me, Ellis.”