“A shovel, Malcolm. A rusty old shovel. That’s your fate if you upset my friend. Keep it in mind.” Ev stepped forward to give me a kiss on the cheek. “I wish you all the luck in the world with him. You’re a brave woman.”
“Yes, I’m beginning to think so.”
“I like the way he looks at you,” she said quietly. “That’s new.”
“Your second wedding was beautiful.” I gave her my biggest, brightest smile, sidestepping the subject of my new fake boyfriend entirely.
Ev threw an arm around her husband’s neck, smacking a kiss on his cheek. “Yes it was. It was amazing.”
“Love you, baby.” David kissed her back.
“Love you too.”
He whispered something in her ear. Something that made her giggle. “We can’t–my parents are here. Later.”
David’s mouth turned downward.
“Does this mean you’re coming on tour, Anne?” asked Ev. “Please say yes.”
“Absolutely!” Mal hugged me to him, squeezing me tight enough to make me wheeze. My feet even briefly left the ground.
“I don’t know about that. I haven’t had a chance to ask for any time off yet.” I wiggled around until Mal gave me breathing room. He didn’t allow me much beyond it, however. No biggie, I could ignore him and the crazy feelings he inspired, both. It would’ve been cool to experience life on the road, but I wasn’t actually invited. Plus work, Lizzy, real life, and all that. “When does the tour start, by the way?”
“First show’s in Portland in five days’ time.”
“Five days?” I hadn’t been able to afford tickets when they went on sale a few months back. And of course they’d sold out in a matter of minutes. Denied attendance, I’d deliberately ignored what the bulk of the city was buzzing about. Call it petty jealousy, if you will.
My time with Mal was so short. My stomach dropped and my heart ached. The knowledge hurt. No matter how scarily stupid his kisses made me, I didn’t want him to go. He made life better, brighter. How idiotic of me to have gotten attached. I hadn’t meant to, but the evidence was clear.
“Don’t look so sad, pumpkin.” He gently cupped my chin, eyes serious. “We’ll work something out.”
“Guys, they’re ready to do photos.” Lauren stood in the doorway, a full champagne flute in hand. After some grumbling, Jimmy headed inside. Ev and David, arm in arm, followed behind him.
“Great acting,” whispered Mal, laying a soft kiss upon my neck. “I honestly thought you were about to burst into tears.”
Funny, I’d thought I might too. I huffed out a laugh and gave him my best fake smile. “I played one of the wicked witches in my middle school’s production of The Wizard of Oz.”
“That explains it.”
“It was basically just lying down dead at the start, pretending to be squished while wearing cool red shoes.”
“Bet you were the best squished girl ever.”
“Thanks. And pregnant? Really?”
He rolled his eyes and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Just got carried away. Do you forgive me?”
I held out for all of two seconds. “Yes.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind of you. I really didn’t mean to stress you out in your delicate condition.”
I growled.
He laughed.
“Coming?” asked David, looking back over his shoulder.
“I’ll just wait out here,” I said, stepping back from Mal while I still could. Immediately the cold evening air rushed in, chilling me.
David shook his head. “No, Anne. You too. If you’re with him, you’re family. Let’s get it done with so we can kick back and relax.”
“You heard the groom.” Mal grabbed my hand, drawing me in again. “Just one thing first.”
“What?”
With the gleam in his eye, I should’ve known. His lips descended, pressing against mine. His arms wound around me, hauling me up against him. My gasp of surprise was just the entry into my mouth he needed. Turned out he knew how to evil laugh and kiss me senseless at the same time. I shouldn’t have been surprised about that either. Despite that, the kiss was soul-shatteringly gentle. He kissed me sugar sweet until my head spun and my heart pounded. My knees knocked and my girl parts cried mercy.
And still he kissed me.
“How was that?” he asked eventually, staring into my undoubtedly dazed eyes. “Better?”
“Um, sure?”
He breathed out through his nose, his brows drawn tight. “Shit, I’m still not getting it right. I’m going to figure this kissing thing out. I am. We just gotta keep trying. Never say die!”