Page 176 of Bridesmaid By Chance
“Got to keep the romance alive, you know?”
“Very admirable. Um, not to change the subject, but how was the dance class today?”
“Good,” Sloane answers. “Great actually. I think I only need about one more and I should be good to go. I can practice with the bridal party once everyone arrives.”
“Really?” Sheridan asks, hopeful.
“Really,” Sloane says.
Sheridan lightly claps her hands as Archie walks up as well. “This is so exciting.” Sheridan lets out a low breath as Archie puts his arm around her and greets me with a nod. “To be honest, I’ve been kind of nervous about this entire situation. I mean, who really hires someone to be a bridesmaid? I’ve felt awkward and weird and at times embarrassed, but knowing you felt good about the dances today, that…that really gives me so much relief.”
Sloane steps up and takes Sheridan’s hand. Looking her in the eyes, she says, “I need you to not think that way…ever again. There is nothing awkward or embarrassing about having me in the wedding. Things happen, and your friend breaking her leg was unpredictable and unfortunate. I’m just glad I can step in and help. Trust me when I say this is an honor, to be a part of a day full of love and tradition. I’m grateful to be here in London with my husband, I’m grateful to have made a new friend, and I can’t wait to watch you two celebrate the love you have for each other. Please, don’t fret another moment over bringing me into the wedding party. This is a joyous occasion, let’s keep it that way.”
Wow.
Fucking wow.
That was…
Sheridan nods, tears filling her eyes before she pulls Sloane into a hug.
Archie smiles at me and then reaches out his hand. I shake it in greeting just as I hear, “This is the girl filling in as a bridesmaid?”
We all turn to find Terrance, standing there in a smoking jacket, his hand in the front pocket and his other hand twisting the end of his gray mustache.
“Papa,” Sheridan says as she steps aside. “This is Sloane.”
Not attempting to move, Terrance gives Sloane a brief once-over before saying, “Well, Sloane.” He holds his arm out to her. “I think after that speech, you and I need to get to know each other better. Come.”
Sloane slips her arm through Terrance’s, and I watch them walk off toward the back deck that looks over the lawn while I stand there stunned.
Just fucking stunned.
Because my wife very well might have just helped me out more than she will ever realize.
Chapter Twenty-Five
SLOANE
“Thank you,” Hudson whispers into my ear for the tenth time since we sat on a love seat together after we shared an outdoor dinner with Archie, Sheridan, Terrance—my new best friend—and Devin.
He rubs his hand over my thigh, keeping me incredibly close to him.
I turn my head toward him and speak quietly. “You don’t have to keep thanking me.”
“I do,” he says, and then to my surprise, he loops his finger under my chin and tugs me in close, placing a soft kiss on my lips, a lingering one, one that feels so freaking intimate that it sends a bout of butterflies through my stomach. When he pulls away, he whispers, “You helped me out so much.”
“Well, that’s what I’m here for.”
“You shouldn’t have to be.”
“But I am. This is mutual.”
“I don’t know, seems like the scales are uneven and leaning in my favor.”
I play with the collar of his dress shirt. “Then even them out tonight.”
“Easy,” he says.
