Page 20 of The Wedding Toast (The Hamiltons #10)

“I was thinking about Saturday morning. Hannah's going to be busy getting Ava ready, and that's when it's going to be busiest. Alara will be putting the flowers on the arch, and there'll be all kinds of people wandering around.

We'll be getting you ready, your folks will be busy, Elena will be rushed off her feet.”

Becca nodded. “We'll think of something. If it comes down to it, she can hang out with us while we get ready.”

Callie laughed. “I adore the kid, but I'm not sure that's a good idea – she might bedazzle your dress while we're doing your makeup or roll you in glitter or something.”

Becca laughed with her. “It'll be fine – we'll find someone who can keep an eye on her.” She slowed Grover as she approached the split in the driveway. “Do you think we should go and have a word with Alara now? I know she's still out there.”

“No.” Callie shook her head vigorously. “Sorry, I don't mean to yell at you, Becs, but no.”

“Oh! Of course – I’m not supposed to go in the garage, am I?” She narrowed her eyes at her friend. “And even you know why – what the secret is?”

“I do, and as much as I love you, this is one secret I won't share with you.”

“Aww, I love you for not telling me.”

Callie chuckled. “All I will say is that I think you'll love Jacob even more when he's finally ready for you to know what the secret is.”

“I don't think it's possible for me to love that man any more than I already do.”

“Maybe so, but I still can't wait to see your face.”

“I wanted to ask Alara to come tonight.” Becca made a face. “I feel bad that she's been out there working by herself the last few days.”

“She's doing her job, Becs. I wouldn't feel too bad about it if you don't get the chance to ask her. How would she be able to come? She doesn't have anyone to watch Zia.”

Becca sighed. “I know, but... oh look, this is Trick and Elliott. Do you want to stop and say hi?”

Becca felt a little foolish when she waved at the two pilots.

Trick was driving his SUV, and she assumed that they must be headed home.

But there were two women sitting in the back – they must be wedding guests, but Becca didn't recognize either one of them.

She could hardly drive by with no more than a wave now, though.

Trick stopped his SUV and put his window down. Becca did the same.

It was strange – he seemed a little tense even though he smiled. “Hi, Becca. We're on our way to drop Delaney off with Hannah and then deliver Annalise back to her place.”

She supposed it was fair that he wouldn't feel like he needed to make any formal introductions. These women were guests at her wedding; it was reasonable for him to assume that she'd know them. She didn't, but from their names, she at least knew about them.

“I didn't mean to hold you up,” she told him.

“Just wanted to say hi.” She waved at the women in the back seat.

Jacob had told her about both of them – Delaney was a luxury branding specialist, a friend of Hannah's from LA, who'd done work for most of the Napa wineries at one time or another.

Annalise was a lady who used to live here in Napa years ago when she was married to her very not-nice husband – who she was now divorced from.

The one sitting behind Trick put her window down. She was older, so she must be Annalise.

“It's lovely to meet you, Becca.”

“You too.” And it was true. Annalise was maybe in her late forties, early fifties. She had a sweet and gentle air about her. She seemed like someone Becca would like to know.

The younger woman leaned forward with a smile. “Hi, I'm Delaney. It's a pleasure. Hannah's told me so much about you. I can't wait to have a chat.”

She seemed nice too. “I'll look forward to it,” said Becca.

“And you must be Callie?”

Callie turned in her seat to be able to see them better. “That's right – I'm the bridesmaid from back home in Kansas.”

“And talented ceramicist from what I hear,” said Delaney. “I'll be cornering you for a chat too at some point over the weekend.”

“Oh, I err, thanks. It's nice to meet you both.”

Callie looked so uncomfortable that Becca was grateful to Trick when he winked at her and said, “We won't hold you up any longer.”

~ ~ ~

“Are you nearly ready?”

Becca turned to face Jacob when he leaned in the doorway to her dressing room.

“Damn!” He raised his eyebrows as he let his gaze travel over her. “You look amazing. Do you think Bentley would mind if I called and said I want to go out with you girls instead?”

She came to him and looped her arms around his neck. He closed his eyes as he held her close to his chest, wondering if they could get away with skipping their nights out to stay here in the bedroom instead.

She pulled his head down to kiss him, and by the time they came up for air, he was breathing hard.

She shook her head at him. “We can’t cancel, you know that. But I’ll meet you back here just as soon as I can – how does that sound?”

He nodded eagerly. “It sounds like a plan to me.” He ran his hand down over her ass and gave it a squeeze. “Tonight will be our last night together as single people.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh! You’re right.” She reached up to press her lips to his. “We need to make the most of our last chance ever for single-people sex.”

He had to laugh. He’d only used that term as a throwaway remark, but since she’d latched onto it, he was sad to have to leave it behind.

“We do,” he agreed. “But from Saturday night onward we can work on developing our own brand of married-people sex – married-couple sex.”

“Oh, I like the sound of that.”

He frowned when his phone rang, not wanting to let go of her.

“You’d better get it,” she told him. “It’ll be one of the guys.”

“I will,” he said without moving away from her.

“How would you feel if I have the cab bring me by Molly’s restaurant on the way home?

The other guys can do the same – that way whoever wants to stay out longer can do so.

” He waggled his eyebrows. “While I sneak you back here to make the most of what’s left of the night. ”

She hesitated. “You know I want to, it’s not that,” she said. “But …”

“Ah, Callie?”

“Exactly. She doesn’t really know these guys that well yet.”

“She can ride back with us if we leave early.” He smiled. “And if she wants to stay out with everyone else, we can ask Ollie to keep an eye on her – make sure she gets back here okay.”

Becca’s eyebrows shot up. “Ollie? Why him?” She poked him in the side as she asked. “What do you know that I don’t?”

“Nothing for sure. Bentley said that he and Reaves both seemed to have taken a shine to someone.”

Becca grinned. “Ollie’s taken a shine to Callie?”

He nodded. “From the way it sounds, yes.”

“And Reaves?” She looked puzzled. “Who – one of the wedding guests?”

Jacob had to laugh. “Not exactly. She is here because of the wedding, but …”

Becca poked him again, making him laugh. “Tell me!”

“Okay! From what Bentley and Ollie were saying, Reaves has fallen hard for little Zia.”

“Really?”

“Apparently. I found it hard to believe too. I don’t think Reaves knows any children. I was a little concerned when your mom said that she’d sent him to keep an eye on Zia while everyone else was busy. But it seems the two of them hit it off in a big way.”

Becca smiled. “Do you know what she named him?”

“Prince Daddy, apparently. And Ollie made me laugh – he said that Reaves isn’t as upset about the name as he should be.”

Becca looked more thoughtful as she asked, “And has he met Alara yet?”

“I don’t think so – why?”

“It’s probably nothing, but if part of Zia’s name for him is Daddy, it makes me wonder if Reaves is just as taken with her mom as he is with her.”

“Hm. Maybe so. But as far as I know, he hasn’t met Alara – it’s only about the girl. But I could be wrong.”

“We’ll find out soon enough, I suppose. Although maybe we could help them on their way – do you know what Reaves is doing on Saturday morning?”

“He’ll be free by then – all the pilots will. What are you scheming about, Queen Cornflower?”

She laughed. “Tell me if I’m crazy, but I was thinking we could ask Reaves to watch Zia on Saturday morning.

Everyone else is going to be crazy busy – including Alara.

I just don’t like the idea of Zia not having anyone keeping an eye on her.

It’ll be so busy around here – there’ll be strangers and … ”

Jacob leaned in to press a peck to her lips. “Then we’ll ask him. You’re right – someone needs to be looking out for her. Although, we should introduce Alara to him first – make sure that she doesn’t mind.”

Becca nodded happily. “If you talk to him about it tonight, I’ll … oh wait.” She made a face at him. “I can’t take him down to see her tomorrow, can I – since she’s out at the garage?”

He ran his hand over her hair. “I’d rather you didn’t. And don’t look like that – before the weekend’s over, you’ll know what my secret is.”

“Aww.” She rested her cheek on his shoulder. “Whatever it is, I know I’ll love it. Thank you.”

He crushed her to his chest. Every day she said or did some little thing that reminded him why he’d fallen so hard, so fast, and so completely for her.

She genuinely appreciated whatever he did for her.

Most importantly, she loved him for who he was.

He didn’t need to guess; he could see it in her eyes, feel it in every aww she uttered, and every poke in the ribs.

He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Thank you.”

She looked up into his eyes. “What for?”

“For being you, for loving me.” He chuckled. “For saying yes to becoming my wife – and that reminds me, we have people waiting to celebrate with us. We’d better get going.”

“Oh my goodness. We had! I hope you have fun. I know I will.” She pressed her lips to his. “But I hope it’s not too late by the time you come pick me up.”

“It won’t be,” he assured her. He was looking forward to his evening with Bentley and the guys, but getting back here with her later would be in the back of his mind the whole time.