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After a while, Syd says, “Okay, Winona, let’s get you ready for your big night out.”
We all change into the dresses and skirts we brought and Syd pulls out a sash for Winona.
“Bride-to-be!” Winona says, bouncing on her toes and raising an arm so Syd can loop the sash on her. “You guys. This is awesome.”
“You get a tiara too,” Emberleigh says, placing the studded crown on my sister’s head.
“I thought we’d eat at the Twelve Thirty Club,” I suggest.
It’s a little fancy and a lot pricey—just right for a night like tonight.
“I was hoping for Puckett’s,” Winona says.
“Barbecue and home-style cooking?” Syd asks. “Count me in. I could use some comfort food.”
“I just want something that doesn’t involve chicken nuggets or goldfish crackers,” Emberleigh says. “Grown up food with grownups is my vote.”
“Puckett’s? Are you sure?” Carli asks Winona. “This is your bachelorette night.”
“All the more reason to get messy. I can eat fancy with Declan.”
We all agree and head down to the lobby. The temperature’s dropping, so we grab a ride-share and take a short drive to Puckett’s. Live music fills the cozy wood interior of the restaurant. The sound bounces off the concrete floor and lifts to the open ductwork overhead.
We’re seated at one of the wooden tables and then a waitress comes to take our order.
It’s been a while since we’ve all been together, so our conversation flows, even though we sometimes have to shout to be heard over the music and chatter of other diners.
We’re finishing our meals when Winona looks in the direction of the front door. Her mouth drops open. My eyes follow her line of vision and land on the most unexpected sight.
Declan is walking into the restaurant. Even though Nashville is Titans territory, they’ve got plenty of Thunder love here. There’s a commotion behind Declan and when he steps further into the restaurant, greeting fans as he goes, Marcus fills the doorway. My heartbeat picks up and my stomach does a little flip.
“What are they doing here?” Winona asks me.
“I have no idea. Really.”
“Stalker!” she shouts, jumping up from her chair and rushing toward her fiancé.
I follow behind her because that’s what a girlfriend does when her boyfriend unexpectedly shows up. Oh, who am I kidding? I’m following her because I know Marcus will hug me when he sees me, and it’s been too long since I’ve been held by him.
I am in such deep trouble—the Mariana Trench has nothing on my depth. It’s unfathomable. I’m sinking for Marcus Delaney and there’s no life ring or floatation device in sight.
“Well, hi there,” Marcus drawls when he sees me approach.
He leans in and pulls me to himself. I go willingly.
He puts his mouth near my ear—probably because of the noise level—and then he says, “You’re looking good tonight, Carter.”
I smile, wrapping my arms around him. I stand on tiptoes and speak into his ear. “What are you doing here?”
“Crashin’ a bachelorette night,” he says.
Then he pulls back and flashes me a boyish grin that’s truly all man.
I think he’s going to step away from me, but he just holds me in place, his eyes roving my face.
Then he does the most surprising thing.
He tips his head and moves toward me, his eyes drifting shut. The world slows and I feel like I’m floating. Marcus’s lips brush mine, pillow-soft and warm. But then he lingers with a kiss that’s tender and hungry at the same time.
