He pulled out of her and then, and as if on cue, they both sank down in the water to their necks, enjoying the pleasant sensation of the ocean covering their bodies. He rained more kisses down on her mouth, her cheeks, her eyes, whispering words of love, words of desire, words of sweet, tender passion. She was a lucky woman. She was a happy woman. In their time together he’d made her feel so good about herself, loving her for who she was, not who he wanted her to be. That’s how he’d always treated her, from way back at the start of their friendship on through the here and now.
They played in the water, splashing each other, laughing, darting under the crystal blue waters like dolphins. She was faster and each time she popped up, her hair sleek, she’d laugh at him. “You must’ve forgotten that I was a swimmer in high school.”
“I remember. Did you think I’d forget anything about you?”
Her eyes widened and she clasped her hand over her mouth. “Uh-oh. What if we don’t have anything to say to each other? What if we know everything about the other person and there’s nothing left to talk about?” Her voice rose in mock fear.
He laughed and shook his head. “I’m not worried about a damn thing when it comes to you.”
They swam to the dock, water droplets falling off their naked skin as they climbed the stairs, and then headed inside to get ready for the wedding.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
The Maldives, early afternoon . . .
The chiffon dress fell just below the bride’s knees, the ideal length for a beach wedding. The thin straps showed off her strong arms that were already tanned from a few short days here. Casey pinned a white orchid in Michelle’s hair, while her other bridesmaid, Sutton, sprayed the loose tendrils that framed Michelle’s face.
Casey stepped back, appraised the bride, and clasped her hands at her heart. “You look so beautiful,” she said, pushing past the lump in her throat.
“Thank you so much,” Michelle said, her expression heartfelt.
“His jaw is going to drop the second he lays eyes on you,” Sutton chimed in as they finished the final prep in the villa nearest the beach.
There was a soft rap on the door. Sutton and Casey stared at each other with wide eyes. “It better not be Jack. I’ll answer it,” Casey said and opened the door a few inches, peering around the wood to find Michelle’s brother, Davis. “Oh, you’re the only guy allowed in right now,” she said, with a bright smile. Davis flashed a quick grin in return, his piercing blue eyes lighting up his face.
“I have something for the bride,” Davis said. He held a small box and carefully opened the lid.
Michelle gasped when she looked inside, and brought her hand to her mouth.
“It’s mom’s,” he said softly.
Michelle nodded. “I know,” she said as a lone tear slid down her cheek.
“I thought you’d want to wear it. I’ve held onto it for you for this day.”
“I do want to wear it,” she said, holding out her hand so Davis could clasp a simple, thin silver bracelet on her wrist.
Sutton grabbed a tissue and dabbed quietly at Michelle’s cheek.
Michelle held up her wrist. “I love it.”
“And I love you,” Davis said, then wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace. Casey looked away, giving them their private moment.
When he pulled apart, Michelle spoke first. “Are you ready to give me away, but not give me away?”
Both Davis and Michelle laughed, and the touching, tender moment had turned to a lighthearted one now. “No one could ever give such a strong, independent woman away. It is merely my honor to walk by your side on this journey,” he said, and it was Casey’s turn to steal away a tissue and bat at the tear in her eye. She loved their approach—Michelle wasn’t anyone’s to give away, but she and Davis had looked out for each other and took care of each other, and it simply felt right for him to be the one to walk by her side at this moment.
They made their way through the resort to the beach, weaving through palm trees and banyan trees, lush and emerald green. The sun was high in the sky, but the breeze that blew off the ocean kept them from sweltering. Soon, they reached the patch of sand where the ceremony was to be held.
Pretty music from a string quartet rose up to greet them. A Brahms Symphony, she recalled Jack telling her, and then he’d made some offhand remark about never catching the end of it the night he and Michelle had gone to the symphony. Casey didn’t press him about what he meant, figuring it was a sexy inside secret between bride and groom.
They rounded the final bend in the path to the beach, and the wedding came into view. A canopy was set up on the soft white sand, and Jack stood waiting, looking handsome in beige slacks and a white shirt, as casual as he could ever be. Her heart raced as her eyes landed on Nate, standing next to the groom. God, he was beautiful, and he took her breath away even from this distance. The wedding was small—perhaps twenty people—and they all stood since the ceremony would be short.
“Ready?” Davis asked.
“Never been more ready,” Michelle said.
Davis gestured to Sutton, her cue to walk down the white runner spread out on the sand. With flowers in hand, Sutton led the way. Michelle grabbed Casey’s wrist, and tugged her close. “You told me last night you were glad I was marrying your brother,” she said and Casey nodded as she recalled their conversation. “I want you to know how happy I am that you’re my sister-in-law.”
“Oh hush,” Casey whispered, waving her hand quickly in front of her face to try to quell the tears that welled in her eyes once more. “Now you’re going to make my mascara run yet again.”
Michelle grinned. “Go. I’m eager to see my soon-to-be husband,” she said, then let go of Casey’s wrist, and she walked to the canopy, her smile growing ever wider as she neared her two favorite men—her brother, who she adored to the ends of the earth, and Nate, who she loved madly. She wore the yellow dress she’d snapped a photo of herself in a few weeks ago, and she knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that Nate was remembering the time she’d sent it to him, and was savoring the way it fit her in the flesh. She thrilled at the way he looked at her; it told her he only had eyes for her.
“Hi,” Nate whispered under his breath as she took her post next to Sutton.
“Hi,” she whispered in return.
They both turned their gaze to the bride as the music shifted, and the quartet began playing Ode to Joy by Beethoven. Casey had asked Michelle why she’d chosen this piece and she’d responded that the music made her happy. That seemed reason enough, and Casey understood why. The piece lived up to its name, matching the expression on Michelle’s face as she walked to the canopy. When they reached the wedding party, Davis let go of her arm, planted a kiss on her cheek and stepped aside to join his wife.