Next were pics of the reception. Aunt Wendy had included a lot of candid photos of all the guests and wedding party enjoying themselves. Chelle saw a few pictures of she and Alex dancing, and then some of her and Alex talking to guests. Then, several of her and Alex eating.
Man, he really had not left her side for one minute! The thought occurred to her that maybe she should buy him something as a token of gratitude – just a small gift to show how much it meant to her that he had looked out for her that day.
There were shots of the cake cutting – again, with Alex by Chelle’s side, protecting her. He really was a good friend.
The last slide showed Jason and Katie getting into their limo, Katie waving out the window as they pulled away, Jason pulling his bride inside.
Everyone clapped and cheered when the slideshow concluded. Katie gave Aunt Wendy a big hug, thanking her profusely.
Above all the chatter about what an amazing video it was, and how cute Jason and Katie were together, Chelle heard raised voices coming from the kitchen. Well, one raised voice, at any rate, and she recognized it. It belonged to Riley.
Without even giving it a second thought, she raced down the hall and pushed through the swinging door that led to the Spanish style kitchen.
--- ~ ---
Chelle found Riley and Alex in the far corner having a heated conversation. Actually, Alex seemed to be calm, cool and collected. Riley on the other hand looked like he was about to spit nails.
“Is everything okay?” Chelle asked, her question alerting them both to her presence.
Simultaneously both of their heads snapped up, looking toward her.
Alex’s mouth immediately broke out in a wide mischievous grin, while Riley’s jaw tensed. It seemed her arrival caused him to look even more upset than he already had been.
“Everything’s fine,” Riley said in clipped tones, his jaw so tight she could see a vein in his neck.
Alex chuckled as he pushed past Riley and walked over to Chelle, casually putting his arm around her waist. Chelle’s brow furrowed as she gave him a sideways glance.
What was he up to?
“You see,” Alex began, his explanation aimed at Chelle.
“Alex,” Riley warned.
Uh-oh. She had heard that tone before. Riley obviously did not want her to know what they had been discussing.
That just made her want to know even more.
“My big brother here,” Alex continued, totally ignoring Riley, “thought that I spent a little too much time with you at Jason and Katie’s wedding.”
Chelle wasn’t following, “What?”
“I know, I don’t get it. A guy tries to help a friend out and what does he get? Thanked? Nope. He gets threatened.” Alex was still smiling from ear to ear, obviously enjoying this little exchange.
Chelle’s head was spinning. She turned back to Riley, whose stance could only described as ‘battle ready’.
“You threatened him?” she asked in disbelief.
Riley didn’t answer her. He merely stood stock still, glaring fiercely at his brother.
“Well, in all fairness, Riley wasn’t the only one,” Alex said in mock-regretful tones, shaking his head, “First there was Eddie, then Jason. Riley’s actually a little late to the what-the-hell-do-you-think-you’re-doing-with-Chelle party.”
Alex pulled her a little closer, against him, then whispered (LOUDLY) in her ear, “I just don’t get it, Chellie Bellie. Why does everyone want to keep us apart?”
Chelle started cracking up. Alex could always made her laugh.
Riley, however, did not find Alex’s playfulness quite as amusing. He started stalking towards his brother, growling “You’re not funny. Get your hands off of her.”
Wow. This was the first time that Chelle could see what people meant when they said he was dangerous. The look in Riley’s eye and his body language could not be described as anything else. An aura of coiled rage radiated from him, and he reminded her of a lion poised to pounce on his prey.
Alex, who was definitely more of a lover than a fighter when it came to social interactions, immediately threw his hands up in mock surrender and took a few steps back towards the kitchen door.
“On that note, I think I’ll leave you two crazy kids alone. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He winked at her as he quickly made his exit.
Chelle turned back to Riley, who had stopped mid charge and was standing several feet away from her, anger rolling off of him in waves.
She wasn’t exactly sure why he was so upset. He couldn't seriously think that there was something was going on between her and Alex. No, she didn't think that was it.
So, if that wasn’t it, then what could it be?
She took a few steps toward him, closing the space between them. She reached out to touch his arm and instinctively wrapped her hand around it. His biceps bunched beneath her fingers, causing a ripple of delicious tingling to flow through her like a river.