Sweet Texas Kiss (Sweet Texas Secrets) (20 page)

“Thank you for that.” He always softened when they were alone, turning off the public persona and becoming more human and less politician.

“For what?” She smoothed her hair and took in the details of the gorgeous hotel lobby. From the impeccably dressed hotel employees to the sophisticated décor, every aspect of the space screamed elegant decadence.

“For the pictures out there. This is Carly’s day, not mine. I wish we could just go out sometimes and not have photographers waiting outside.” He’d leaned close enough for her to feel the warmth of his breath on her neck and catch a hint of his sophisticated scent.

If he thought any of the paparazzi outside had come to catch a glimpse of him, then the campaign had scrambled his brain. Carly and her new husband, Michael, were both amazing bakers who met as rival contestants on a reality baking show but ended up falling in love last year when they teamed up to work on a celebrity wedding. Their popularity exploded when they joined forces to create a show on the Cuisine Network where they traveled the world, putting their own spin on popular tourist attractions with inventive themed cakes. Viewers were rewarded with a romantic proposal on the last episode of the season, and the big day had finally come. They had made a slew of famous friends through the show and in working on high-profile weddings. Their reception was going to be teeming with A-listers from every facet of entertainment.

“We can, but maybe not to the wedding of two television stars who have a ton of famous friends. I’m sure half the paparazzi don’t even know who they’re waiting for, and you just got some free publicity, Congressman. You’re welcome.” Cameras did follow Ford much of the time they went out, but sometimes she wondered if he didn’t enjoy the attention a little more than he let on.

With a gentle hand at her elbow, he led her into the reception, and she stood in awe of her friend’s glamorous dream made reality. Lily had worked closely with Carly during every step of the wedding and reception planning, but seeing it all come together was breathtaking. The hotel was spectacular, but the decorated ballroom was almost unbelievable. Soft pinks, creamy ivories, and stark blacks mingled in the fabrics, their wedding cake, the china, and linens. It was gorgeous, but weddings were always bittersweet for her.

She felt mentally healthy enough to be genuinely happy for her friend, though, and watching the pair say their vows earlier was magical. Lily was ready to celebrate them now. The newly married couple bustled into the lobby and stood outside the ballroom doors, waiting for the emcee to announce their arrival, so there was no time for self-pity. She exchanged elated grins with Carly and watched as they drifted in, the crowd parting for them, and walked to the dance floor.

“Please welcome, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Welch!” the DJ’s voice boomed through the speakers. Wild applause and cheers drowned out the first strains of Stevie Wonder’s “For Once in my Life” as they moved to the center of the dance floor to share their first dance as husband and wife. Michael gazed down at Carly as he held her in his arms, his expression one of a man completely and utterly consumed by love. Lily couldn’t hear what they murmured to one another, but she knew it was sweet. It was amazing to see her friend find someone so perfect for her.

Ford pulled Lily close, and she laid her head on his shoulder as they watched Carly dance with her new husband. A lump formed in her throat, and she swiped a single tear from under her lashes, determined not to make a mess of her makeup tonight. How many first dances would she watch before her first thought wasn’t of Nathan? Ford kissed the top of her head, and they parted to clap for the couple as the song ended. Carly had planned an elaborate sit-down dinner, so Lily and Ford wound through the crowd to the head table to take their seats. Ever the gentleman, he pulled her chair out for her and helped her push it under the table before chatting with the other wedding party members.

Carly and Michael arrived at the table, flushed with happiness, and took their seats in the middle, with Carly sitting beside Lily.

Lily leaned over and gave her friend a hug. “Everything looks absolutely perfect, Mrs. Welch.” Carly’s huge grin was proof that she was over the moon. “Be sure to eat at least a little of every course before you get back out there and circulate. You won’t get another chance once you leave this table.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem. I’m starving.” Carly sat back and accepted her salad from the uniformed waiter. Laughing the whole time, she let Michael feed her a forkful of leafy greens.

Courses came and went on exquisite china: there was a green salad, creamy tomato bisque, filet mignon paired with asparagus tips and herbed potatoes, and finally an elegant scoop of perfectly smooth lemon sorbet. Lily indulged herself in the decadent meal, just this once. She’d been blessed with the fast metabolism that made it possible for her to eat like a normal person while building a career in modeling, but she knew better than to push her luck. At twenty-seven, a slower metabolism could be lurking around the corner, waiting to knock her out of modeling and into something that would make her glad she’d gone ahead and finished college. Transitioning to full-time work at Soldier On was something she wanted to do on her own timeline rather than be forced into it because she needed a job.

A waiter swept by the table, giving every guest a cut crystal flute of bubbly, and Lily reviewed her maid of honor toast in her head. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t cry, wouldn’t say anything stupid, and wouldn’t embarrass the congressman. She wasn’t technically his girlfriend, but when they were on dates she responded to an unspoken pressure to present herself a certain way.

She looked out into the sea of faces, seeing familiar friends and family interspersed with celebrities from music and television and plenty of industry professionals from Michael and Carly’s life she had never met. Lily didn’t care about connections one way or the other, but Ford was likely drooling from the possibilities. Celebrity endorsements would be like gold for his re-election campaign.

She stood to give her speech, eyes already welling up before she’d uttered a single word. So much for not getting too emotional. Carly was the best person she knew, and no words could do their friendship justice, but she’d try. Dozens of hours spent at her laptop had finally resulted in a speech that conveyed at least some of the immense love and gratitude she had for her best friend.

“Carly and Michael, my heart is so full for you today. America watched you fall in love on television, and the real thing is just as beautiful as what they saw on screen.” She took a deep breath to steady her nerves before continuing, and Carly took her hand.

“Carly, I’ll never forget the day we met, in ninth grade biology class. You were already great with a knife, and I was well on my way to relying on you to catch me when I fall. I know you weren’t expecting your lab partner to faint beside you, but I was so glad you were there. And you’ve been there for me ever since.

“Michael, I know that if Carly chose you, then you must be someone very special. Carly deserves the very best of everything in life, and for her, you’re just that.” Her voice caught in her throat as Michael draped his arm over Carly’s shoulder and pulled her closer. “I know that the rest of your life together will be as beautiful as today has been, and I wish you nothing but happiness. Finding your one perfect match is a rare gift, and I’m so glad it happened to you two. Congratulations.”

She raised her glass and sipped her champagne, swallowing past the lump in her throat. Carly’s eyes shone with tears as she stood and took Lily’s hand. “Thank you, Lil. That was beautiful.”

“I love you guys so much.” Lily pushed the words out. Perhaps she should have left the part about how rare the perfect match was. Sometimes she wondered if she’d ever be able to let go of Nathan and find love again. Most of the time, she didn’t even want to try. Michael stood and leaned over to kiss her cheek, and Lily gave Carly a hug before handing over the microphone to the best man for his decidedly less emotional speech. It felt great to laugh along with his jokes and let the emotional weight lift from her shoulders.

Ford’s hand found her knee under the table when she took her seat, and he squeezed. Leaning against him, she enjoyed the strength of his solid frame. His familiar black pepper and cinnamon scent drifted over her in a ribbon of warmth as he dipped his head to whisper in her ear as the best man concluded his toast.

“Can we dance? Or do I need to wait a little longer before I get you all to myself?” His thumb traced a lazy circle against her knee.

She turned into him, shivering a little at the light brush of his stubble against her cheek. “I’d love to dance.” With her maid of honor duties complete for the time being, she was free to enjoy her handsome date.

Ford took her hand and led her through the crowd on the dance floor, cutting through without hesitation. The song ended as they found their spot, and “Dream a Little Dream of Me” spilled from the speakers, the sultry love song winding around them as he pulled her into his arms.

“Did I mention how gorgeous you look tonight?” Ford’s breath was gentle against her skin, softly flowing across her neck.

She dipped her chin and gazed up at him through lowered lashes. “Yes, but I don’t mind if you say it again.”

Lily closed the gap between them and laid her head on his shoulder, enjoying the weight of his chin against the top of her head. They moved effortlessly, as though they’d danced together a thousand times, and her eyes drifted closed. He was strong, solid, beneath her touch, and for the few moments they were on the dance floor, she let herself forget that she’d ever been broken by loss. In Ford’s arms there was comfort, as temporary as it may be. She knew the weekend of nonstop wedding activities was making her sappy and romantic, that she and Ford weren’t moving forward, but it was fun while they were there. As the song ended, they stepped apart, and he kissed her forehead. A popular ballad began, and he pulled her back into his arms for another slow dance.

“You know, this is really nice. We should dance more often.” His voice rumbled beneath her cheek, and she smiled. He was the perfect height, and they had a natural rhythm together that couldn’t be denied.

Lily leaned back to look into Ford’s eyes, the piercing blue enchanting her, and agreed. “I think you’re right. You should invite me to more fancy parties before you head back to D.C.”

“I knew I loved coming home during our recesses for a reason.” He pulled her closer and hummed as they swayed together. Manufactured romantic feelings or not, being in Ford’s arms felt right.

The sultry music ended, and the DJ’s voice cut through the noisy crowd. “You know what time it is! All the single ladies, please come to the dance floor. The beautiful bride is ready for the bouquet toss.” The single female guests flooded onto the dance floor as the men headed for the sidelines, and Lily grumbled. At least Carly had nixed Michael’s idea to have “Single Ladies” play during the stampede. The last thing she wanted to do was scramble for the bouquet with the other unmarried women, but she wouldn’t ruin her friend’s fun.

She’d married Nathan after a whirlwind courtship, barely catching her breath between the heady early days of infatuation and their simple wedding she’d thrown together with her best friend Carly. They’d been young and impulsive, but they were perfect together, and she’d never felt that with anyone else. It was irrational, but trying to find love again felt a bit like erasing the past. Her marriage had been short-lived but blissful, marred only by the rift between her and her parents that cropped up when they objected to her getting married so young. Having both experienced and lost perfect, all-consuming, life-completing love was almost too much to bear.

She dragged herself into the throng of single women and shot a quick glance at Ford, who was studying his fingernails as though there would be a test later. He seemed to be as commitment-averse as she was, and that was just fine with her. She was lucky to find a man she enjoyed that didn’t push for more, so she never questioned why he was so willing to keep the distance between them. Carly stood in front of the gaggle of giggling girls and threw a devilish grin over her shoulder at Lily.
No, please no. Not me.
Anyone but me.
But Carly expertly winged the bouquet directly into Lily’s hands and looked so pleased with herself that Lily couldn’t be angry. The flowers couldn’t have weighed more than a pound, but they might as well have been a ton of bricks. She pasted a bright smile on her face and joined her best friend for a picture of her raising the bouquet while they linked arms. Carly meant no harm, she knew that, but she wondered if it was a subtle hint that it was time to move on and find a husband. Again.

• • •

Guests lined the walkway that ran from the hotel to the couple’s waiting limousine, faces glowing from the happy occasion and generous amounts of premium alcohol. Ford watched Lily in the moonlight, still surprised at her seemingly effortless beauty, as she waited for her friend to rush by through a cloud of bubbles and well wishes. Even after a full day of maid of honor duties, the wedding, and the reception, she looked perfect. Still luminous, still animated, and most incredibly, still wearing those torture devices she called shoes.

He took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers, and squeezed. Her big brown eyes shined with genuine warmth when she looked up at him. He pushed a rogue tendril of chocolate brown hair behind her ear and was rewarded when she pressed her cheek against his hand, just for a second. The intimacy in that fleeting moment sent a jolt down his spine. “Thanks for inviting me. Your friends seem really happy together.”

“They are.” Lily looked away and took a shuddering breath. “I’m so happy for Carly. She waited a long time for her perfect man.”

The couple burst through the door, hand in hand, wearing identical dazzling smiles. Their photographer and videographer hustled along the walk ahead of them, navigating the pebbled terrain as they walked backwards to capture both the reveling guests and the departing couple. Friends and family blew bubbles and shouted their congratulations as Michael and Carly made their way through the crowd, and Carly stopped by Lily to pull her into a quick, fierce hug. She whispered something in her ear while her new husband stood by, smiling fondly.