Page 233 of The Grand Duel
Charlie’s chest rumbles against my back, and my eyes drift closed at the feeling. “You were collateral damage, Luce. Don’t take it personal.”
“Luce takes the weather personal,” Nina says from her perch beside Mason.
“She does,” Elliot confirms.
“I’m sorry, Luce. No hard feelings.”
Lucy smiles at him. “Apology accepted.” She turns to her fiancé. “I think you look very handsome, Ell. Ignore them.”
He grins and smooths his hands over her waist. “I can promise you, Mrs Montgomery-to-be, my attention is a million miles from Rocky over there.”
I snort a laugh, and Charlie squeezes my waist, nuzzling my cheek. “Don’t fuel him.”
“They make a good couple.” I look over at Nina and Mason, finding Mason’s eyes fixed on his wife as she looks over at us. “You have good friends.”
“They’re alright.”
I peer up at him, catching his eyes and instantly wanting to kiss him.
“I was going to ask you later, but I think Nina was going to corner you about the hen party, and I wanted to beat her to it.”
I frown.
“Will you come to the wedding with me? I have a plus-one…” He trails off when my face transforms. “What?”
I reach into my coat pocket and pull out the invitation. “She gave it to me the second I walked into the kitchen.”
I open it and show him.
Lissie and Charles.
“Of course she did. They can’t help their meddling.”
I purse my lips. “I’m glad you asked me. I wasn’t sure you’d want me to go with you, so the confirmation is nice.”
He shakes his head. “Silly, silly, Lissie girl.”
For some reason, I blush.
“The only concern I have is you outshining the bride. As beautiful as she is, she doesn’t hold a torch to you.”
“Stop. That,” I warn, my cheeks aflame. “If she hears you.”
“She won’t. She’s too wrapped up in whatever it is she sees in Montgomery,” he says playfully, his nose dusting my ear. “Seriously, though, Lis. I’m already the luckiest man in the world to get to call you my girlfriend. To have you on my arm so that I can show you off to a roomful of people will be the greatest honour.”
“Uncle Charlie has a girlfriend!”
Charlie sniggers as all eyes turn to us. “Little shit understood that just fine,” he mutters, making me chuckle.
“Officially?” Nina asks, her smile growing.
I nod at her.
“Ahh!” She stands. “This is it.”
“It’s happening,” Lucy says, joining her friend’s excitement.
They come to us and pull me first into their arms and then Charlie. Elliot beams down at me before wrapping me in one of his bear hugs, and then Mason is before me.