Page 6 of More For Me

Bodhi

If there’s one thing that can be said about the Ransome family, it’s that they know how to put on a party. I guess that goes along with the whole internationally famous rock star thing the dads have going on. They clearly instilled their love of a good time to all their offspring because I swear the guests barely have a chance to sit down once the dancing starts.

Which means I fit right in, because there’s really nothing I love better than a good party. Before my mom and sister leave, I dance with both of them. Then I make sure to dance with all of Rose’s single cousins, as well as her little sister. I twirl her Aunt Paige around the dance floor more than once. I even take baby Poppy for a spin for a few songs so River and Jas can dance together.

“Well if it isn’t the belle of the ball,” a familiar voice says. I turn away from the bar, where I’ve been waiting for a fresh beer, and mentally prepare myself for the person I know has joined me.

“What can I say, Lele.” I shrug at Everly. “I’m very charismatic. People flock to me.”

She laughs and reaches forward to straighten my tie. “You better be careful. I’m pretty sure Vega is developing a crush.”

I roll my eyes. “Your sister is a baby. I don’t think I have to worry.”

“She’s a teenager,” Everly points out. “What better age to crush after a handsome older man?”

“Handsome, huh?” I ask raising an eyebrow in what I hope is a rakish way.

She laughs again, and damn do I love that sound. She isn’t stingy with her laughter, the way some people are. The girl finds a hundred things to amuse her by lunchtime. It’s one of my favorite things about her.

“You know you look amazing in this suit.” She touches my tie again, for seemingly no reason this time, and I can’t help but straighten a little. And maybe I puff out my chest, too.

But who could blame me? The most beautiful woman in the world is touching me. And complimenting me. It feels fucking fantastic.

“I’m glad we went with the Armani,” she says, letting her hand drop as she looks me up and down. “You can’t beat that cut.”

“The suits were a good choice,” I agree, taking the opportunity to look her over, since that’s the kind of thing besties do, right? “But they don’t hold a candle to the bridesmaid dresses.”

Her eyes light up. “Right? They turned out even better than I imagined.”

I take her hand and bring it to my face, inspecting the calluses and the little cuts at the tips of her fingers. “You told me you were going to hire out the sequins,” I say, not liking to see the obvious signs of her hurt, no matter how minor.

She takes her hand back, rolling her eyes. “I did.” She waggles her fingers. “This is from the beading on Rose’s dress.”

I want to tell her that she shouldn’t work so hard, but there’s no use. Everly and her best friend, Alex, along with their cousin Fox, own a successful fashion line. I’ve had a front row seat to the three of them working their asses off to get it off the ground. When Rose asked them to design her gown, as well as the bridesmaid dresses, I knew Everly wasn’t going to rest until they were perfect.

“I’m not sure it’s worth your blood,” I say, darting a glance to where Rose is talking to Leo’s mom. “But you did a damn good job.”

She grins. “I couldn’t have done it without my favorite roomie and all his midnight snack runs to power me through the sewing.”

Favorite roomie. Damn, does that sting. I know she thinks of me as more than that—she declared us BFFs about three minutes after we met—but I also know it’s not enough. Not anymore.

“Hey, babe.”

I can’t help but scowl when the douchebag she’s here with comes up behind her, sliding his arms around her middle. “I thought you were getting me a beer?”

What the fuck kind of asshole sends his date to get him a drink? The one Everly apparently prefers.

But she doesn’t look particularly happy to see him, and she bats his hands away from her waist. “I told you I was going to talk to my friend and I’d bring a beer back when I was done.” Am I imagining the tightness in her voice? It would cheer me up if it wasn’t for the fact that she referred to me as her friend.

Of course she did, Bodhi, you dumb ass. That’s all you are. Because you’re a coward who can’t man up and talk to her.

“Oh, hey.” The guy straightens, as if just realizing I’m standing here, and holds out his hand. “I’m TREY. You’re the best man, right?”

“Sure am.” I shake his hand, struggling to fight down the urge to squeeze the shit out of his fingers. “Troy, was it?”

“Trey,” he says, more loudly.Yeah, I heard you the first time, buddy. I just couldn’t believe someone chose such a dumb ass name.

“Hey, you think they have any good vodka back there?” Trey asks, peering over my shoulder. He gives me a grin. “I mean, they have to, right? I doubt these people are the type to skimp on the good stuff.” He whistles, looking around. “I knew your family was loaded, babe, but this must have been serious cash.”