Page 33 of Love Unbound
“I’m sorry you had to be so early,” Free said, looking down at her while they walked.
“I don’t mind,” she said and smiled. Shane found them moments later, walking up and hugging Jodi tightly. “Congratulations, Shane. You look so handsome!”
Shane chuckled nervously, rolling his shoulders. “Thank you, sweetheart. I was starting to worry that Free wasn’t going to make it back in time.”
“I touched up his face,” Jodi said, motioning to the side of Free’s face that had previously sported the dark bruise. “I thought Cassie might appreciate it for the pictures.”
“Nice work,” Shane said and laughed, checking out his brother’s face. “Can’t even tell it was there.”
A tall, dark blonde-haired stranger sidled up to the three of them, wearing the same light gray suit and vest, black shirt, and green tie as Free and Shane. Free turned to Jodi, saying, “Jodi, this is my cousin, Kasey. Kasey, this is Jodi Kendall.”
The blonde’s gray-blue eyes widened, and he extended his hand to her. “Ahh, soyou’rethe famous Kendall woman.”
Jodi smiled nervously, glancing at Free, who rolled his eyes comically. “Nice to meet you, Kasey,” Jodi said with a smile.
Kasey dug a flask out of his back pocket, offering it first to Shane, who took it with a thank you, taking a swig. Shane handed it to Free, who took a shot, before offering it to Jodi. She laughed, then said, “Shit, why not?”
She took a tentative sip, the cinnamon whisky burning all the way down.
“I like her,” Kasey whispered loudly, jabbing Free in the ribs.
“I do, too,” Free murmured, winking down at her.
More guests had begun to arrive, and the wedding coordinator came walking smartly over to them, clipboard in hand. “Shane, dear, it’s time to get lined up. I’m gathering all the groomsmen now, if you three want to head over.”
Shane nodded, and Jodi could see the nerves come back full force. She reached up and hugged him tightly, whispering, “I’m so happy for you, Shane.”
He squeezed her tightly back, breathing in deeply. “I’m happy for you, too, sweetheart. I’ll see you afterward!”
Shane released her and Kasey winked, offering her another shot. She shook her head, no, laughing. The two walked away, following the lady with the clipboard. Free turned to her, clasping her face in both hands and kissing her thoroughly again. “I could do that all day,” he husked against her lips. “I’ll find you after the ceremony?”
“Of course,” Jodi breathed. She was never going to get used to how easy being with Free was. Butterflies still erupted in her belly whenever he touched her, but she felt at home in his arms, which terrified her more than she wanted to admit.
“Free, come on,” Shane called back, and Free grinned at her once more before following his brother toward the altar.
Chapter 24
Jodi remained at the entrance of the ceremony site, waiting for others she knew would be arriving. At the sound of her sister’s voice, she turned, smiling broadly before her mouth dropped open at the sight of her.
Shaun’s black dress had a corseted top that delineated her breasts and narrow waist, thin straps that went over her tanned shoulders, and a tightly fitted, ruched skirt that hit mid-thigh, leaving her long legs bare. As if she wasn’t tall enough, black sky-high heels adorned her feet. Her long, dark hair had been straightened and looked soft to the touch.
“Damn, Shaun,” Jodi said and whistled appreciatively as Shaun stopped beside her. “You look hot!”
Shaun grinned. “Thank you. What about you, Miss Thing. You look incredible yourself!” Leaning down, she whispered, “So, are you here with Free?”
Jodi nodded. “I agreed to be his date.”
Shaun wiggled her eyebrows and Jodi laughed. “And…?”
Jodi shrugged. “Guess we’ll see how the night goes.”
“Mom and Dad were right behind me,” Shaun said and turned, waving. Serenity and Levi were walking down the pathway, hand in hand, followed by Jodi’s other siblings, Warren, Tristan, and Fallon. They made a handsome group, Jodi admitted fondly.
Serenity’s royal blue sheath dress was the same color as the late summer sky, her dark hair pulled into a sleek French knot. Levi, ruggedly handsome as ever, had traded his usual fadedblue jeans for a pair of black slacks. A white button-down shirt was tucked into the waistband of his slacks, though his shirt had been left unbuttoned at his throat and he did not have a tie. A black blazer that made his shoulders look impossibly broad completed his ensemble.
Jodi’s brothers, Warren and Tristan, were dressed more casually. Warren had on gray slacks and a white button-down shirt, foregoing a tie as well. Tristan wore a pair of khakis and a light blue polo shirt, and Jodi smiled; it was the best they could hope for from the seventeen-year-old that rarely changed out of mechanic coveralls. Fallon, the baby of the family, was fourteen and a mini version of Jodi and Shaun. She had on a simple, dusty blue sundress, and her dark, wavy hair had been left down around her shoulders.
When the Kendall clan met up with Shaun and Jodi, they exchanged hellos and hugs, before being seated by the ushers. Jodi was surprised when they were escorted to the first row, Seren and Levi given the seats typically reserved for the parents of the groom. Seren immediately got teary eyed, grabbing the small packet of tissues awaiting her on the seat of her chair. Shaun rolled her eyes and Jodi patted her mother’s shoulder. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tristan hand Shaun a five-dollar bill, muttering sourly, “She cried before we even sat down!”
