Page 41 of Complete Me

“I've been looking for you everywhere.” Edward spread his hands in concern, but it didn't vanquish the displeasure on David's face.

“I was reading,” he said shortly.

“I can see that.” Edward willed himself to find a reserve of patience he hadn't yet tapped.

David had never been as comfortable around large groups as Edward was, but he couldn't avoid them forever, not if he wanted to marry into this unusual, dysfunctional family.

“I'm not avoiding guests,” David explained to him, “I'm avoiding you.”

That was a bad sign. Edward considered his options, finally deciding to take the seat across from David. “And why is that?”

“Don't you have guests to attend to?” David asked.

“No one is more important than you.” Edward tried to sound reassuring, but this only seemed to ratchet up the tension between them.

“No one?” David repeated. “Not Belle or Clara?”

Edward's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “They're here to help with the wedding.”

“I'm here to help with the wedding,” David cut him off, “But I've barely seen you the last few days.”

“I'm sorry. I guess I wanted everything to be perfect.” Edward knew it wasn’t an excuse, and from the looks of it David wasn't going to let him off the hook so easily.

“And I just wanted to be with you. That's what this is supposed to be about. We said no big wedding. Remember?” David prompted.

He tossed his book on a nearby end table and sighed.

“This is about us,” but even Edward couldn't bring himself to believe it. He had been focused on the cake and the flowers. He had poured over the words he wanted Alexander to use when he married them, and he'd been making quiet trips into the village to procure supplies. I wanted to give you a wedding, that was what he meant to say.

David deserved one.

He had certainly waited for one.

“I only ever asked for an ‘I Do,’” David reminded him. He stood, moving to leave the room, but Edward grabbed his hand.

“Don't go,” he urged, “Allow me to apologize properly for being a wanker.”

“I'm not sure there are enough words in the English language for that apology,” David said, but he paused.

He didn't pull out of Edward's grip. Instead, their hands remained linked.

“Am I really that bad?” Edward asked.

“Sometimes when Clara and Belle are around,” David told him. “When they are you go into girlfriend mode. It makes me jealous.”

“Jealous of Clara and Belle?” Edward said incredulously.

“Well, I don't think you're going to run off with them,” David's response was dry, but Edward spotted the hurt in his eyes, “You do leave me out though.”

“I guess we leave all the men out.” Edward held up his hands. “I'm not trying to make an excuse. I'm just trying to understand.”

A flicker of a smile betrayed David. “So, I'm the man then?”

“Of course, you are,” Edward said, “I'm the one who likes dresses, after all.”

David groaned, but before he could come back with another retort Edward stood and pressed his lips to his. “Tell me when I'm being a prick,” Edward commanded.

“Notice when I'm being a loner,” David suggested.