Chapter 15

Declan sat through the boring rehearsal ceremony, even though Renee had told him he could go ahead to the restaurant and hang out at the bar. Graham was sitting across the aisle from him staring at the bridal party at the front of the chapel.

Declan assumed Graham was looking at his date. What was her name? Tina? But since Renee was standing next to her, Graham could've been ogling Renee. She looked fucking hot in that tank and those heels. He wondered if she dressed to remind Graham of what he lost or if she wanted to make him jealous. Renee didn't strike him as the kind of woman who played that game. The jealousy part.

He could totally see her rubbing her sexiness in his face to make him regret what he lost. He scrolled around on his phone, tempted to read, but he liked his reading time with Renee. It wouldn't be fair to go on without her, but he didn't have the attention span to read two books at the same time.

Luckily, the rehearsal didn't last too long. His lunch had worn off long ago and he was starving again. Renee came down the aisle toward him and he stood.

So did Graham. He tugged at the sleeves of his shirt and then at his collar. He was more uncomfortable than Declan was.

"Renee," Graham said with a nod.

"Hi," she answered with zero inflection or emotion in her voice.

With a tilt of his head and a raised eyebrow, Graham continued, "Really? Declan is your date? Are you that desperate?"

"What?" Declan said, his hand automatically fisting.

Renee stepped in between them. "First of all, Graham, who I date is none of your business. Second, Declan is a thoughtful, caring man who can rock my world with a kiss. So, no. I'm not desperate. Haven't been since our divorce."

Declan couldn't stop the chuckle. She'd warned him she could be bitchy, but damn. Not that Graham didn't deserve it.

Graham looked past Renee to Declan. "I didn't mean to offend you. But you are younger than she is and let's face it, she only knows you because you're Tyler's friend."

"And you only know Tina, and everyone else here, because they're my friends. What's your point?" Renee asked. "And you really, really don't want to talk about age differences."

There had to be a story behind that comment. Declan wondered. Tina didn't look super young or anything.

She turned to face Declan. "Ready to go to dinner?"

"Sure." Although he'd been prepared to defend her or run interference with Graham for her, he loved watching her take care of herself. He appreciated a woman who didn't need to be rescued.

Over her shoulder, she said to Graham, "Please do not sit with us during dinner."

Declan held her hand as they left the chapel. Renee's back was straight and the line of her shoulders was stiff with tension. Outside, he tugged her back so she crashed into him. Lowering his mouth to her ear. "That was fucking hot."

"Watching me yell at my ex?"

"Watching you tear him apart. That alone made my night." He brushed his lips over her earlobe. "At least till later. I'm sure you can top that."

She laughed and he felt her soften. He hated Graham had that effect on her.

"Let's go to dinner. I'm starving."

"You still eat like a teenager. It's not fair." She turned toward the car without a comment about later. She also didn't respond when he took her hand again.

At the restaurant, they had one long table to seat the entire bridal party and their dates. The bride and groom made some quick speeches to thank everyone for being part of their wedding. Then, finally, the food arrived.

As requested, Graham sat at the other end of the table, but he sat across from them. Declan felt the constant staring. If Graham wanted a show, Declan could give him one. He made a point of touching Renee in small ways that gave the impression of intimacy. He knew her well enough already to know what she would like. Nothing over the top.

But tucking a stray lock that fell from her ponytail back behind her ear? Yeah, that earned him a small smile. As the salad plates were being cleared, he picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. When she looked at him with one eyebrow raised, he simply returned her gaze and added a grin as he thought about getting her naked.

He knew she'd be able to read the look.

She leaned closer and whispered, "Are you flirting because you think you're getting me naked tonight, or are you just trying to irritate Graham?"

"I'm definitely getting you naked. I can't stop thinking about it. But irritating the fuck out of Graham is an excellent bonus."

Laughter burst out, and she slapped a hand over her mouth as people around them turned. "You're terrible."

"Yeah, but you like me anyway."

"I do," she said with another of those soft, genuine smiles he'd come to want from her.

The rest of dinner went off without a hitch. He talked to the people on his side and across from him, fielding the usual questions he'd expect when dating someone. It was easier though with Renee since he had known her most of his life. There was no stumbling over information. Except when the woman across from him asked how long they'd been together. They hadn't talked about what to tell anyone. He'd figured he'd be arm candy to strangers and a buffer between her and Graham. He hadn't given their status any thought.

Renee patted his thigh. "It's still pretty new."

He interlocked his fingers with hers. "But in some ways, it doesn't feel new. I guess that's a perk of starting off as friends."

She let him hold her hand, and it was like their own little secret. This wasn't about irritating Graham. It was about whatever they had simmering between them and her coming to terms with acting on it.

The bride stood and clinked her fork on her glass to get everyone's attention. "I know tomorrow is a busy day, but we have some fun planned for us tonight. We're going as a group to a bar down the street to do karaoke."

Renee groaned.

Mariah pointed at Renee. "Don't even think about slipping out of here. We haven't had a karaoke night in years. You owe me."

"You sing?" he asked.

"Not very well. And usually drunk."

"It'll be fun!" Mariah said. "Let's go."

Renee really wanted to pinch her friend, but since it was Mariah's wedding, she'd let this slide. They hadn't sung karaoke since before she had Sadie. But that was because she was a bad singer. Hence the reason for her to be drunk when Mariah insisted on singing.

Everyone stood and pushed their chairs back under the table. Some slammed back the rest of whatever drink they had in front of them. Unfortunately, her glass was already empty.

"We'll get drinks at the bar."

"I hate singing."

"Just wait until everyone has had a few more drinks and no one will remember what you sound like. They'll all be buzzed and talking and won't pay attention to you."

"I still won't like it."

He took her hand again. He seemed to want to touch her in any way she'd let him. Even the small ways. And she liked it.

They were a good-sized group, about twenty people, all walking down the street en masse. Renee slowed her pace so they could be at the back of the pack. While she knew the bridesmaids, she didn't really know anyone else, and she was tired of small talk.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah. I don't like big crowds." She nodded toward the group in front of them. They waited at the curb as the first people entered the bar.

Tina came up to them—thankfully without Graham. "Can we talk a minute?"

"Sure. What's up?"

"You want me to—" Declan pointed over his shoulder.

"Wait by the door. I'll be right there."

Tina waited for him to step away and continued, "I figured since you and Graham divorced a long time ago, dating him was okay."

"It is."

"We haven't been dating long, but..."

"What is it, Tina?"

"I'm not sure he's over you."

Renee laughed. "He was over me long before the divorce."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. And even if he's got some silly idea in his head about wanting me back, it's never going to happen. I'm always going to be tied to him because of Sadie, but that's all. Maybe one day, I'll be able to be friends with him, but most days, it's an effort to remain civil. So he's all yours."

Tina smiled. "Given how much he's talked about you since this morning, I'm not sure I want him either. I wasn't planning on asking him to come with me, but he kind of weaseled the invite."

Renee rolled her eyes and shook her head. "That was probably about me, but not in the way you think. He was supposed to take care of Sadie all weekend for me. This way, he didn't have to."

"I still think he's hung up on you."

"Not my problem. Let's go get a drink."

"Sounds good. I'm glad you're not upset."

"No worries at all."

At the front of the bar, Declan held the door open for Tina and when Renee moved to enter, he put his arm around her. "What was that all about?"

"Absolutely nothing important. I need a drink."

"Beer? Wine? Margarita?"

"A shot is the best way for me to make up to the stage, but since I want to be able to function tomorrow, let's go with beer."

"I'll get the beer. You get us a spot." He stepped away and added, "Away from Graham. Every time I see his smug face, I want to punch him."

Renee pointed at him. "No punching. This is Mariah's wedding."

"As long as he keeps his mouth shut, I'm good."

Renee went to the back room to find the rest of the party. On stage, Mariah's and Kent's moms were singing some song she'd never heard. This was gonna be a long night if Mariah expected them all to sing. Maybe she should just choose something to get it over with and then leave. She grabbed a small two-seater table and waited for Declan.

Before she even got to sip her beer, Mariah was demanding all of the bridesmaids come to the stage to sing with her. Renee hung her head but stood. At least in a group, no one would know how bad she sounded.

Declan arrived as she was leaving the table. She took the bottle from him and took a quick gulp. "Be right back."

Once on stage, Mariah handed all of them a microphone. "I trust you all know this one."

The opening notes let Renee know it was "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," which was, in fact, a fun song. The four of them sang and laughed.

Renee saw Declan standing next to their table, smiling at her.

When the song ended, she stepped from the stage and Graham stood as she passed. "You looked good up there, Renee."

"Thanks." She didn't stop to talk. She went straight back to Declan, who was still smiling at her.

"You're nowhere near as bad as you made yourself out to be."

"I'm a horrible singer. But since Mariah dragged me up there, I can return the favor when it's my turn." She was already planning what song to sing. "But first, I need to call Sadie to say good night and then get some more alcohol in my system."

As she raised the bottle to her lips, he wrapped his fingers around her wrist. "Don't overdo it. I'll be sad if you pass out before I can get you naked."

Her cheeks warmed again and she was glad the bar was dim. "I won't get pass-out drunk. I promise. I have to stand up in the wedding tomorrow."

Plus, she really wanted to know what Declan had been thinking about all day. She wanted to experience whatever he had planned for her.

Declan ordered another round for them while she stepped outside to call Sadie.

"Hello, Renee. Everything is fine."

"I know, Mom. I'm just calling to say good night to Sadie."

"One second."

Renee heard some rustling on the line and then Sadie's cheery voice said, "Hi, Mom."

"Hi, baby. I'm calling to say good night. Got your pajamas on?"

"Uh..."

"I know Grandma's gonna let you stay up past your bedtime, but at least get ready, okay?"

"Okay. Are you having fun?"

"A little bit."

"Can I say good night to Declan?"

"I came outside the restaurant to call. He's inside, but I'll let him know you asked."

"If Declan's there, you gotta have fun."

Renee smiled. "I will. I'll call you tomorrow. Big hug and kiss." She made a smacking noise into the phone.

Then her mom came back on. "How're things going?"

"Good. We're doing karaoke now with the rest of the bridal party."

"And Graham?"

"Still an ass." She thought about how mad Declan got on her behalf. "But it's not bothering me much. Don't let Sadie stay up too late."

"Of course not."

Renee rolled her eyes. "Talk to you tomorrow."

Back inside, she had another beer and decided it was time to sing. She grabbed Mariah and told her they would sing Lizzo's "Good as Hell." It had been the song they sang many times the year before she had Sadie. Mariah had a hard breakup and the song became an anthem of sorts for them. Because who the fuck needed to be wasting their time over a man who didn't really love them?

Mariah held up a hand before the music started. "Just over six years ago, I was in a horrible relationship and my pal Renee helped me bounce back from it. This is a song we rocked every time we were together until I felt ready to get back into life. If she hadn't done that for me, I wouldn't have met Kent to be here today."

Mariah wrapped her arms around Renee's neck and planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek. "That's what friends are for."

The music started and for once, Renee didn't care how she sounded. She was back in her car and in Mariah's living room dancing around singing full volume to make her friend feel better. When they were finished, she received a standing ovation—probably more for their enthusiasm than ability, but she didn't care. It was fun.