Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
My cheeks burned as I waited, and I refused to meet anyone’s gaze. No doubt I’d find either surprise or pity, neither of which I’d enjoy. I had no idea if Ryan had shared my neurological struggles with any of his friends, so right then, I prayed for a sinkhole to swallow me up. Obviously, I could just explain my disability—I’d done it before on numerous occasions—but Dawson’s chilly demeanor was chipping away at my confidence.
All of a sudden warm hands encircled my waist as Elliot stepped behind me. “You’re gonna look so handsome. You might upstage the groom.”
I turned beet-red as our eyes met in the mirror. “What are you doing?” I muttered, low enough that no one could hear.
“Making sure you know how fucking awesome you are,” he whispered against my ear. The feel of his lips brushing my skin made me shiver.
“You know I’m fully capable of fending for myself,” I replied, but my voice was meek at best. I hated how vulnerable I was feeling right then, when other times I could let stuff like that slide.
“I know, but I’m allowed to fawn over you.”
“You’re playing your role a little too well,” I mused.
I saw Ryan approach in my side view. “I’m sorry I didn’t remember about your braces. It’s been a whirlwind with all the wedding stuff, and Mom did remind me that we might have to discuss it with the tailor, so I should’ve—”
“Will you stop? I can handle it myself,” I said, feeling guilty that I’d given him something else to stress over. “I just want to look good for your wedding.”
“You’ll look good regardless. Just make sure you’re comfortable,” he said, and I breathed out. We’d never been close enough to hang out or catch up regularly, but Ryan had always been supportive of me, especially during the year I’d gotten my diagnosis.
“Is anyone ever comfortable in a monkey suit?” I smirked, trying to lighten the mood.
“True.” Ryan smiled and thumped my shoulder. “I’m sure they can accommodate you, and if not, we’ll go someplace else.”
“What about shoes?” Elliot asked, looking at the pile of boxes the sales associate had just set on the floor to rent with the suits. “If they don’t have extra wide, we’ll go shopping for them afterward.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I said, grateful for them both. When I glanced in the mirror, my gaze locked on Dawson’s before his darted away. What the hell was his problem? I was apparently the more mature of the two of us, but then age was just a number. Wasn’t that the saying?
As it turned out, the tailor was able to make adjustments to my slacks for an extra fee, but the shoes weren’t going to work at all, no matter how much I tried to shove my feet into their narrow, sleek styles.
“Maybe just wear your own sneakers,” the nearest groomsman suggested, glancing at my comfortably worn pair that also cost a pretty penny to accommodate my high arches. “I’m sure Ryan won’t mind as long as he has his brother there.”
“You’re probably right.” I glanced over my shoulder to Ryan, who was busy choosing a vest to match his tuxedo. “But I’ll still try another store.”
Elliot helped me stack the boxes from the shoes I’d tried, and then we joined the group surrounding my brother.
“How about that one?” Dawson was pointing to a vest with a bold pattern, and now that I had a good view of him, I saw that his choice matched his style, which had evolved from all the other times I’d seen him in football jerseys or hoodies and jeans. He was dressed in black slacks, a deep-plum-colored button-down with a pinstriped tie, and wearing a large, expensive watch. He was still gorgeous, but I’d matured enough to know looks weren’t everything. Still, my stomach tumbled over itself being near him again, not only because he was the first guy I crushed on, but also because he was the first who broke my heart.
I pointed to a plainer vest with a monochromatic pattern. “If I know my brother, he’ll want to keep it classic.”
“You’re right,” Ryan said, smiling at me. “I think it’s settled.”
“Cool,” Dawson said, checking his fancy watch. “If we’re done here, I need to take off. Got dinner reservations with my girlfriend.”
Elliot cleared his throat in an exaggerated manner, and I knew exactly what he was thinking. I barely kept from rolling my eyes.
As everyone said their goodbyes, I walked out behind Ryan. “Hey, before I forget, is there anyone I need to add to the reservation for your bachelor party?”
“What about Elliot?” Ryan said, looking over at him. “You coming?”
“Oh, I…” He looked at me, and I nodded. I hadn’t asked him because it was Ryan’s guest list, not mine. But it was another night where I’d have to be around Dawson, so I’d love to have Elliot there. “Sure,” Elliot said. “Thanks for asking. I’m a little bummed I won’t be able to have a lap dance, though. Really? Steak and cigars but no scantily clad women?”