Page 9 of The Fire Captain's Unexpected Baby
I spotted Alexander by the makeshift bar, conveniently taking away my access to the one exit through the garden gate. I weave through the crowd, hoping he hasn’t seen me at the reception with Noah. Still, there’s no way he missed me walking down the aisle as a bridesmaid.
What was Zachary thinking, inviting him to the wedding? We had only been on a few dates. He is hardly guest material, not for the small and intimate setting of this backyard wedding.
Zacharyisthe reason I know Alexander, though. Part of me knows it makes sense that he has invited him.
My failed date works at Zachary’s father’s law firm. Alexander was one of the people who helped Zachary get out from under his father’s thumb and take over once his dad died.
Zachary doesn’t know what happened. Doesn’t know that such a respectable man humiliated me and just walked away, leaving me helpless at the fire captain’s hands.
I look around, ensuring that no one is watching me. Then, I sink to my knees and crawl underneath the table where the cake sits. A white cloth skims the grass, providing ample coverage for me to sneak away. Unlike the only guest bathroom, nobody is waiting for me here.
It’s a lot easier to breathe here under the table, alone.
Eventually, I’m going to have to emerge to take Noah home and help Summer pack for her honeymoon. With any luck, Alexander will realize he isn’t wanted here and will leave early.
I hug my knees to my chest and squeeze to soothe myself, a sense of relaxation flooding my tense muscles.
Until a man’s hand dips beneath the tablecloth, revealing me as he slowly lifts the fabric.
But when I look up, it isn’t Alexander’s impartial gaze meeting my own—my worst nightmare. Maybe this is worse, though. Aaron looks at me with amusement as he crouches down until we’re eye-to-eye.
Summer justhadto invite him to the wedding.
Say something, I scream at myself. Words fail me as I take in his calm presence, just as steady as it was in that hotel room.
With him kneeling down before the table like that, I can’t help but notice how well-built he is. Muscles ripple in his shoulders, filling out the grey suit jacket such that the stitches seem to be almost ready to pop. He has his sleeves rolled up, exposing forearms thick with muscle and ropy with veins.
Aaron knows how to command attention just by virtue of his presence, it seems.
“Do you need help getting out of here, too?” He quirks an eyebrow at me, offering a hand if I want to stand and join him. A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.
“Oh, stop,” I finally sputter. “If I’d known you’d hold it over me forever, I would have just stayed until housekeeping came to let me out.”
“They wouldn’t have had bolt cutters.” He laughs quietly, a sound that twists my insides in an unfamiliar way. “What are you doing at a wedding if you’re just going to hide under the cake table?”
“Summer is my best friend. I wouldn’t miss her wedding.”
“And you’re here with Levi?”
Horror washes over me at the prospect of this man thinking I am here withLeviof all people. I mime gagging at the mere idea, revulsion rippling through me. Aaron’s brow furrows in confusion.
“I’m Levi’ssister,” I clarify. “That’s why I was so hesitant and embarrassed to let you in. Imagine if it had been my brother who showed up to help me when…”
A shudder wracks my body as I think about how close I came to having my brother in that hotel room.
Aaron gives me his first genuine smile. It brightens his face in an unbelievable way. Somehow, the smile makes his jaw look stronger, etches the lines on his face more clearly. I take in the curve of his lower lip, full and begging for a tender touch.
I can’t possibly be thinking this right now.
“Should I join you under there? I hate social gatherings.”
I shrug, but it’s all the invitation Aaron needs to crawl under the table with me.
The folding table is barely big enough for both of us. With his impressive shoulders, it looks like he’s been folded into origami to cram himself into the space.
Laughter bubbles to my lips. I almost forget why we’re both huddled under the table, hiding from the rest of the party.
“So, why are we hiding?”
