Opposites Attract (The Locklaine Boys Book 2) (32 page)

“
Mom
!” Yep, I actually whined at her like I was six years old, but Jesus Christ. How much longer was this shit going to last?

“Don’t you back talk me, young man. Scoot!” She shuffled me along to the head table where the entire wedding party was to have dinner with the bride and groom. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized I hadn’t really planned out much of a speech. Panic seized my gut as the waiters walked by, handing everyone flutes filled with champagne. I looked to my brother to find him smiling down at Navie as she whispered something that made him laugh. And as soon as she joined in on that laughter, it was like a light bulb went off.

I knew exactly what I was going to say.

And I began scanning the crowd of guests who had also been seated in the hopes of spotting the one woman I wanted to hear my speech more than anything.

But I couldn’t find her.

I pulled in a deep breath when the DJ handed me a microphone, praying that Delilah hadn’t changed her mind and decided to leave.

“Good evening, everyone,” I spoke into the mic. A hush fell over everyone as they turned their attention to me. “I’m Richard, the better-looking twin,” I said with a sly grin that made everyone laugh. “I’m going to be honest right now and admit that I didn’t write out a speech for this. And, even though I’m sure my mother is planning at least three different ways to kill me right now, I’m not completely empty handed.”

I looked down at the table Mom was sitting at to see her glowering at me in a way only a mom can. Collin, good man that he was, had managed to move all eating utensils from her reach, so at least there was that.

“Earlier today, I asked Rowan how he knew proposing was the right choice, and his answer really resonated with me. He said that he knew it was right when he realized that it wasn’t how happy Navie made him that mattered, but how happy he made
her.
How the possibility of marriage wasn’t even something he’d considered… until her.”
God, I hope she’s listening.

I looked down at my brother and his new wife, returning the smiles they were both beaming up at me before facing the crowd once again. “See, the reason that stuck with me was because I felt the exact same way. Up until very recently, I never gave much thought to the possibility of a future with anyone. But talking with my brother, he opened my eyes to several things. The first is that the true measure of a man should be based on how happy he makes the person in his life, not the other way around. The second is that the possibility of a future is a bright one as long as it’s with your best friend.” I nodded back at them and found Navie wiping her eyes as she burrowed closer into Rowan. “And lastly, you take each day as it comes, and if there ever comes a time when you’re unsure of where it is your supposed to be going, all you have to do is follow her lead.”

Having said everything I could think of to convey to Delilah how I really felt without totally making the speech about me, I raised my glass in the air and paused to allow everyone else to do the same. “To Navie, for being a shining example of how a woman is supposed to love a man. And to my brother, for teaching me to look forward to possibilities.”

With that, I took a sip of champagne and handed the mic off to the DJ as Rowan and Navie stood to dole out hugs.

“I approve,” Navie whispered tearfully in my ear as she squeezed all the air from my lungs. “You know, just in case you wanted to know. I totally approve. Any woman who’d throw down in a strip club for a bunch of people she hasn’t known all that long is a winner in my book.”

I chuckled and pulled back. “Thanks. I’ll be sure to tell her she’s got your vote.”

She brushed more tears from her cheeks. “You do that.”

As soon as she moved out of the way, Rowan stepped in to give me a quick, backslapping hug. “Great speech, man. Even if you did twist it for your own benefit.”

My head tipped back in full-blown laughter as Navie gave him an elbow to the ribs. “What can I say, when genius strikes, you have to grab hold of it.”

“I agree.” He clapped his hand on my shoulder affectionately as he smiled. “Now go get your girl.”

I didn’t have to be told twice. I spun around, geared up to find her, when suddenly… “Christ, Mom!” I belted when she stepped into my path. “Look, I love you with all my heart, but if you don’t stop blocking me I swear to God, I’m going to put you in a home!”

There was no bluster from her that time, only a pleased grin as she patted down the lapel of my tuxedo jacket. “That was a fine speech, son.”

“Thank you,” I replied, still sounding a little put out.

“That florist… Delilah, I believe her name is?”

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously before confirming, “Yeah? What about her?”

Mom simply shrugged. “I just wanted to point out that she’s a very lovely girl. Quite pretty.”

“That she is,” I felt myself beginning to smile in return when my mom’s face became serious.

“Does she make you happy, Richard?”

“She does,” I answered honestly. “And I want to make her happy in return.”

“Well then,” Mom sighed, “I guess I should let you go do that, shouldn’t I?”

I leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Love you, Mom.”

“Love you too, sweetheart. And just to say, I’ve pulled off a summer wedding. I’m quite fond of the idea of trying my hand at a winter one next.”

“Let’s not start putting the cart before the horse now. I’m pretty sure I’ve got some serious groveling I have to do before we start talking weddings.”

She stepped to the side and raised her arm. “Then you better start working on that now.”

With everyone’s — including my picky mother’s — approval, I went to do just that.

It was time to get my girl back.

OH GOD.

Ohgodohgodohgod.

He said he looked forward to possibilities.

He actually
said
that!

By the time Richard finished his toast I’d cried so much I was sure all the hard work Devon had put into my makeup had been for nothing. My face probably looked like a disaster.

While he was tied up with Rowan and Navie, I took the opportunity to sneak off to the bathroom and inspect the damage. It took some work, but I finally managed to get my tears under control and repair what I could of my makeup so I was at least presentable enough to go back out and join the party.

As I exited the bathroom and walked down the hallway that would lead me back outside, determination singed through me. I needed to find Richard.

“There you are!”

His voice startled me as I rounded the corner and I jumped back, my hand to my chest to calm my rapid heartbeat.

“Sweet Buddha, you scared the shit out of me, Richard!”

He never stopped moving and was on me in the blink of an eye, his hands holding firmly to my shoulders. “Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you. I thought you’d left. Did you hear my speech?”

He rattled off each sentence in a fast, anxious clip, his eyes shining so eagerly that I couldn’t waste the opportunity to mess with him… at least a little. Pasting on the most realistic pout I could, I answered, “I was in the bathroom.”

His jaw dropped. “The whole time? Son of a bitch!” He let go of me and ran his hands through his hair. Seriously, it should have been illegal for a man to look
that
good in a tux. My poor ovaries could barely handle it. His head whipped around frantically. “Where’s that goddamned videographer? Maybe he can play it back for you.”

At that, I burst into a fit of laughter. I couldn’t help it. He just looked so adorable when he was all disgruntled.

“What’s so funny?” he frowned.

“I’m just kidding,” I giggled uncontrollably. “Oh, God. You should see your face.” Then, because I’m me, I snorted. “Oh man. That was a good one. You look so freaked out right now.”

When I finally calmed down enough to see his face clearly again, he was smiling down at me, his handsome face so full of affection that melty feeling inside me came back full force. “You’re pretty happy with yourself right now, aren’t you?” he asked as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into his firm body.

“I really am,” I nodded, grinning like an idiot.

When he dropped his forehead against mine that melty sensation quickly turned into a full-blown boil. “Christ, I missed seeing that?”

“Seeing what?” I whispered.

“That smile. I’ve missed it like crazy. And the way you blush around me almost constantly.” On queue my cheeks began to heat. “Yeah, just like that. I’ve missed you so much, cutie.”

“I’ve missed you too,” I admitted, emotion thick in my throat. “Did you really mean what you said out there?”

His tone held no room for doubt when he answered, “Every word. I’m so sorry I hurt you, cutie. It’s the last thing I’d ever want to do, but I’ll do whatever it takes to get you back. I can’t promise I won’t fuck up or piss you off, but I want the possibility of a future with you. I want to wake up every day and do whatever I can to make you laugh and smile. I
want
that.”

With that admission, I lost the battle with my tears and let them spill over onto my cheeks. “I want that too.”

He looked so hopeful when he lifted his head, his arms tightening around my waist. “So you’ll take me back?”

“I don’t think I have much of a choice.” I nodded. “Shady’s been beside himself without you. What kind of pet owner would I be if I didn’t put his needs before my own?”

“A very selfish one,” Richard answered earnestly, causing me to laugh again. “There’s something else I need you to know, though.”

I couldn’t keep my body from stiffening slightly at the way he spoke so somberly. “What’s that?”

“Well, it’s just, you said you’d been falling for me, but you need to know that I started falling for you the very first time I heard you snort. I hate to say it, but I don’t think I can fall any further.”

A grin so wide it actually made my cheeks hurt spread across my face. “Are you… are you saying you love me?”

“More and more every day,” he smiled back at me, lowering his face so his lips brushed against mine with every word. “And with every blush and snort, I love you even more.”

“I love you too,” I said softly.

“Oh, thank
Buddha
!” My head fell back on a laugh as I wrapped my arms around his neck, sliding my fingers into his silky hair. “I know it’s not possible for us to sneak out now, but what do you say we make a break for it after they’ve finished cutting the cake?”

I
really
liked the sound of that, but… “I came in the van with Devon and Toni. I can’t leave without them.”

“Bitch, please.” Both our heads jerked around to find Devon standing just inside the door that led out to the party. Of
course
she’d been eavesdropping. “You got a car here?” she asked Richard, waving her champagne flute in his direction.

“Yeah.”

“Then she can ride with you. Toni and I will get the van back later tonight. I have my eye on a couple prime grade pieces of meat out there, no way in hell I’m leaving anytime soon. Momma needs to get some tonight. Just tell me when you’re booking it and I’ll create a diversion.”

“Works for me,” Richard chimed in cheerfully. “Besides, we don’t want to leave Shady all by himself, do we? Poor ball-less bastard is probably lonely.

He liked my snorting.

He liked the way I blushed.

He liked all my little quirks.

But most of all, he liked my dog.

Oh yeah, I so totally loved this man.