Maddie leant closer, her lips brushing Ryann’s ear. “I can’t wait to get you out of this dress.” She spoke so low and stood so close she tickled her, making her shiver. Her face, ever the betrayer, was hot and likely red. Maddie gave her a wolfish grin, her eyes sparkling.

“A-hem,” Dick said, a little louder than necessary.

She and Maddie sprang apart, she realizing then that she’d entirely forgotten the people she came here with.

Stuart’s expression was playful and wicked when he caught her eye, and she had to force herself not to stick her tongue out at him.

“Mom, Dad,” Stuart said, “this is my friend Maddie. She’s also Jai’s maid of honor. Maddie, these are my parents, Dick and Kathy Aldridge.”

Both of his parents seemed confused by this introduction, throwing her baffled looks. They’d clearly assumed that Maddie was here for her, but all of this was too complicated to explain in the press of the crowd.

“Pleasure to meet you,” Maddie said, shaking their hands.

“Mmmm,” Dick managed, still obviously thrown off.

“The pleasure’s mine,” Kathy said, her warmth more genuine. She flashed Ryann a wink and continued to hold on to Maddie’s hand, tucking it under her own arm.

“Are you here to escort us to the table, dear?”

Maddie laughed and squeezed the woman’s arm under hers. “Absolutely, Mrs. Aldridge. Right this way.”

Dick followed, clearly dumbfounded. Stuart didn’t let the opportunity pass, immediately snatching Ryann’s arm under his like his mother had done.

“Oh my God!” he mouthed, not actually saying anything. “What the fuck was that?”

She lowered her voice as much as possible. “We got carried away.”

“You call that getting carried away?” He spoke loud enough that his father glanced back at him. Quieter, to her, he said, “You looked ready to eat each other…” He paused, clearing his throat. “Sorry. I mean that you looked ready to jump each other in front of me, my parents, and half the City of Loveland.”

She elbowed him as Dick turned his face their way again, and Stuart gave his father a wide, fake smile.

Eventually they reached the back of the restaurant, where an open doorway led into a smaller, more intimate dining room reserved for their party, clearly designed for occasions such as this. One long table was set up here in the center of the room, and Ryann realized at a glance that they were the last people to arrive. Jai, his parents, and all his sisters and their husbands were already here, still standing, drinks in hand. Everyone stopped what they were doing or stopped talking to swarm Dick and Kathy, which meant Stuart was forced to let Ryann go to make introductions. Maddie freed herself from the throng and escaped to her side, pulling her away from the bustle of Jai’s boisterous family.