Page 107 of Good Directions

28

ANTON

She looks like a princess.

There was never any doubt that my baby sister was going to look anything other than spectacular on her wedding day. As a former Miss Georgia, she has the dressmaker on hand, plus all the other tools in her arsenal. But something about today is different.

Standing in this ballroom, leaning against the bar, watching as she dances with her new husband, I can honestly say that Willa looks like she stepped straight out of a fairy tale. Glowing, ethereal, and radiating a happiness that is palpable.

Nash doesn’t look half bad either.

I take a long, slow sip of my beer, keeping my attention on the newlyweds as they show off on the dance floor. Everyone around us does the same for the most part—a few side conversations taking place—as dinner winds down and we wait for the real party to start.

“When’s cake?” I ask, turning to Ewan as he nods at the bartender handing him a drink.

Little brother shakes his head, shoving some cash in the tip jar. “No clue. Why, you trying to figure out if Willa is going to smash the cake in Nash’s face or vice versa?”

I wasn’t, but now that he brought it up…

“Nope, I just want cake.”

Because if I have cake in my hand, I can quickly shove a bite in my mouth and avoid answering questions like “Where is that pretty brunette you were with at movie night?” because my mouth is full. It’s rude to speak when your mouth is full, and we don’t want to be rude. Miss Belle raised me better than that. Simple as that.

Truth is, I haven’t come up with a good answer to that question yet. Not one that anyone is going to believe at least. Because I’m certainly not about to broadcast the real answer of I’m the world’s biggest asshole to everyone.

News of Sawyer’s departure rippled through my family rather quickly. And every last one of them has had an opinion about it. One they haven’t been shy about sharing. Especially Miss Belle. I think I would take every single one of my childhood punishments combined all over again over the look on her face and the sound of her voice telling me she expected better of me. That’s going to haunt me for the rest of my life.

The only small silver lining is that Hux kept his commentary to a minimum, proving that he’s a better man than I am. Because if the roles were reversed, I probably would have rubbed his nose in it.

“Nash totally goes for it,” Jace comments, appearing by our side.

Ewan and I both look at him, questioning the confidence in his voice.

“Errrrr,” I say, wondering whether or not I really want to go there. Nope, sure don’t.

“You don’t think?”

I turn away from the bar, walking back to our table, trying to avoid the conversation. This is not going to lead anywhere good.

“I think he gets anything on that dress, Willa will have his guts for garters,” Ewan quips, joining me.

“I’ll take that bet.” Jace holds out his hand, but Ewan simply stares at it, like it’s three-day-old fish. After a few seconds of not getting the response he wants, Jace turns to me. “Anton, little double or nothing?”

Absolutely fucking not.

“Nope. Hard pass.”

“C’mon…take the bet…”

“Another bet?” Hux asks, stopping short as he walks by. “Didn’t learn your lesson the last time?”

Oh, no, I fucking learned it…

“There is no bet,” I say, my words terse, so they know I mean it.

I know they are getting a kick out of this. That they are enjoying every single second of their torment. Fine. Live it up.

I’ll just be over here with my broken heart. Wishing that I could rewind time and not be a complete jackass to the most perfect woman I’ve ever met. The only one I’m pretty sure is ever going to be willing to tolerate my ass. Well, maybe not. I found exactly where the line is. I pushed too hard and crossed it.