Page 32 of The Wedding Toast (The Hamiltons #10)

She glanced around. “I’m not going to say this too loud because I know it sounds like I’m ungrateful. The wedding’s fabulous — more than I could ever have dreamed of. But what really matters to me is being married to him.”

“I know exactly what you mean,” said Alyssa. “I feel the same way.”

“Have you guys set a date yet?”

Alyssa chuckled as she looked over at Bentley, who was talking to Jacob and Smoke. “I think we’re about to,” she said. “Bentley’s gotten all into the details since he’s been taking his best man duties so seriously.”

“Oh, and… what?” asked Becca. “Is everything all right?”

“It is. It’s just… there’s something that I want to ask you.”

“You can ask me anything,” said Becca.

“Then I will. Will you be my bridesmaid?”

Becca’s hand came up to cover her heart. “Oh my gosh, I’d love to. But are you sure? I feel terrible that I didn’t ask you. I wanted to ask you — but Callie and I…”

Alyssa reached out to touch her arm. “Don’t, please. I’m glad you asked Callie. The two of you have been friends forever, and I love that you promised each other when you were small. Honestly, I don’t know if I’d have been comfortable being your bridesmaid anyway.”

She let out a laugh. “I’m sure no one would have minded, but it might have been a little awkward if you asked me and not the others.

But that’s not the point. I love all the girls – and of course Willow and Tori are Bentley’s sisters.

But Willow told me right from the beginning not to expect her to ever wear a bridesmaid’s dress. ”

Becca had to laugh at that.

“And Tori said that if I want her to, then of course she will. But she’s not really comfortable with it. I know she’d do it for me, but… I feel closest to you. I’d like it to be you – but if you don’t want to…”

“Oh my goodness, no. I’d love to. Thank you so much.”

Alyssa smiled. “No, Becs - thank you . Oh, look.” She pointed. “I think people are starting to leave.”

“I should probably go and say goodnight and thank you, shouldn’t I?”

“I’ll come with you,” said Alyssa.

“Are you comfortable with having all the girls over at your place tonight?” Becca asked, suddenly concerned.

“I am. I’m really looking forward to it. Of course, I wish that you were coming too, but I understand. You need to be here with your family, and you have Callie.”

“Honestly, if all the family wasn’t staying here at the house, I would have asked all you girls to come here.” She gave Alyssa a little smile. “I almost wish that Callie and I could sneak out and come over to join you, but…”

“It’s okay. I understand. And I think you’re more like me. You’re more of a one-on-one kind of person, aren’t you?”

“I guess I am,” said Becca. “I love all the girls, but…”

Alyssa smiled. “But tonight’s the night to spend with your best friend. You guys have fun, okay?”

Becca hugged her tight. “We will. And when it’s your turn, we’ll do whatever you like. We’ll have all the girls over here if you want – or it can be just the two of us.”

Alyssa gave her a squeeze. “Thanks, Becca.”

“Of course. I’m just glad that we get along so well.” She pointed to where Jacob and Bentley were laughing together. “The two of them are so close. I feel lucky that Jacob’s best friend’s wife is so awesome.”

Alyssa laughed. “I’m not his wife yet, but I know what you mean, and I feel the same way. We should probably go and see what they’re up to. Willow said Slade might try to drag them all into town for a drink later.”

Becca laughed. “That will be interesting. I know he’ll try, but if you ask me, it’s more likely that he and Xander might slip out while Jacob and Bentley hang out at the cottage.”

Alyssa laughed with her. “That’s what I thought too.”

Before they reached the guys, Willow and Tori appeared out of the now thinning crowd. Becca realized that people were waiting around to say goodnight so they could leave.

Willow came and hugged her. “We’re going to head out,” she said with a smile. “Unless you’ve changed your mind? If you want to make a run for it, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

“Willow!” Tori slapped her sister’s arm.

“It’s okay,” said Becca. “We all know that I can’t wait to finally marry him.”

“I know, but still…” Tori scowled at her sister.

“Loosen up, little sprite. But seriously, Becca. If you find out that you need anything, just give me a call. We can run out and get anything you need between now and the ceremony.”

“Thanks, Willow. I think I’m good. But there’s always one more detail that you think of, isn’t there?”

“We’ve got you covered, whatever comes up.”

Becca smiled when she saw the guys coming toward them.

Bentley went to Alyssa and curled his arm around her, pecking her lips before asking, “Are you ladies leaving?”

“We are in a minute.”

Jacob caught Becca’s hand and led her away from the others.

When he stopped, he slid his arms around her waist and looked down into her eyes.

“Don’t panic if you hear someone tapping on the window in the middle of the night – it’ll be me.

I want to cancel this whole guys’ night and come home with you. ”

She pressed her lips to his. “I feel the same, but it’s too late now – we’ll just have to make it up to each other tomorrow night.”

He chuckled. “I think we can manage that. Seriously though, call me if you need anything or…”

She laughed. “I’ll be fine, and you will too. If I call you, we’ll spend the whole time talking.”

He gave her a rueful smile. “Can I at least text you goodnight?”

“Aww! Of course.” She looked over her shoulder. Her folks were heading back up to the house, and her brothers and sister were following them.

“Are they okay?” Jacob asked.

“They seem to be, and I’m not going to worry about it.”

“Good. I don’t want you to worry about anything.”

She ran her fingers over his cheek. “I’m not.”

“Are you coming?” Xander called.

Jacob rolled his eyes at Becca and called, “In a minute,” without even turning his head.

She laughed. “You should go. I should too.”

He rested his forehead against hers and looked into her eyes. “I wanted to say goodnight to my fiancée for the last time.”

She laughed. “Good night, fiancé. And I can’t wait till tomorrow so I can say goodnight, husband.”

He chuckled. “Only if I let you get to sleep before midnight.”

He stepped back and took a small box out of his pocket.

Her hand came up to cover her mouth when he held it out to her. It was a velvet jewelry box – bright blue – the exact color of the cornflowers.

“Jacob!”

He chuckled. “Open it – see if you like it.”

“I love it – I know I will.”

He flipped the box open, and her breath caught in her chest. Inside was the most beautiful pair of earrings she’d ever seen. They were little drops: two diamonds above a larger bright blue stone that seemed to glow in the last of the evening sun.

“Oh my goodness, Jacob, thank you. They’re so beautiful. And they’re the exact right color.”

He looked so pleased with himself when he smiled. “They should be – they’re cornflower sapphires.”

“Aww!” She flung her arms around him and held him tight. “You’re so awesome!”

She loved the way his body shook as he laughed.

“I thought they could be your something blue.”

She leaned back so she could kiss him. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“Thank you, Becca. Thank you for… everything. For being you, for loving me…”

She had to swallow around the lump in her throat. “I do love you.”

He chuckled. “I love you too. So much.” He kissed her again before stepping back. “I should go.”

“You should.”

He chuckled. “I don’t want to.”

She laughed with him. “Me neither, but I think those guys are starting to get impatient.”

He turned, and they both laughed at the sight of the guys all standing in a row, arms folded, giving them mock scowls.

“Where’s Callie?” Jacob asked as they rejoined the others.

“She’s saying goodnight to Ava,” Willow told him. “We’re going to go back to the cottage with Hannah and Ava for a little while, since Slade persuaded Grady to at least have a drink with you guys.”

Becca loved the way everyone looked out for each other. When Callie gave Ava a hug and set out toward them, Jacob murmured beside her, “Is she aware that Ollie’s interested?”

Becca smiled at the sight of Ollie who was just about to climb into the passenger seat of Reaves’s SUV but had paused to watch Callie. “I think so.”

Jacob raised his eyebrows.

“We’ll have to wait and see.” She frowned when she saw that Elena’s car was still there. “Is Elena up at the house?”

Slade grinned. “Nope. Walt gave her a ride home so that she could have a glass of wine at dinner.”

“More than that,” added Xander. “He said that since tomorrow’s a kind of date for them, he’s going to go and pick her up.”

“Aww!” Becca grinned at Jacob. “Isn’t that awesome? I’m so glad you insisted that she should take the day off.”

He nodded happily. “I felt bad about it at first – she wanted to be in her kitchen, feeding everyone – but the caterers would only stress her out.”

“I invited her and Walt to come to the house – so that the families can walk out there together when it’s time.”

Jacob held her gaze. “Thank you.”