All The Wild Ones | Wildfire Series

Gala 2.0 - Bonus

B R E N

"Has anyone ever told you that you're like a super intense dude?"

I side-eyed Julian while trying to keep my attention on the door to the ballroom.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're a ginger?"

"Oh!" He cupped his hand over his mouth, giving a holler that was absorbed in the crowd of people behind us. "A little early in the evening for ginger hate, don't you think? Besides, your girl has a fair amount of strawberry in her hair, and I can't wait for that baby of yours to pop out with a full head of red goodness."

"I know," I said with a laugh. "I'm just teasing. I love Madie's hair, and I obviously have nothing against gingers."

My heart lurched at the thought of our daughter being a look-alike of my fiancé, and my eyes traveled around to find her. She stood next to the bride, who was tipping back drinks and looking like she'd been waiting for this day her entire life. Madie smiled brightly at Nessa, and I fought the urge to walk over to them.

But I wasn't entirely done with my surveillance duty. Looking back toward the doors, I grimaced.

Julian noticed.

"So what's up with....this?"

He waved a finger between me and the doors. They led back into the lobby of the Cardairel Hotel, and I could see the shiny tile flooring from here. I hadn't noticed a person walk by in a while, but still.

"Just keeping an eye out for imposters."

"Imposters," Julian repeated, deadpan.

"Our group has run into a lot of assholes in the past few years. Don't need any of them showing up now to try to ruin shit."

Julian considered that, nodding. "Did Grayson put you on wedding crasher detail?"

I shrugged. "He said something about Nessa's ex in passing a few weeks ago, and I just thought I'd keep a lookout. It would probably put a damper on the wedding if the groom committed murder."

A laugh ripped out of Julian's throat. "The groom? I think it would likely be the bride."

I chuckled. "You're right."

Sighing, Julian patted me on the back, giving me a twisted smile. "Well, I think you should let it rest. Have some fun, Hadaway. All the guests are here, and there's no danger lurking in the corners; I promise you."

I sighed, knowing that wasn't always the case. It was damn hard to let my guard down sometimes, considering all the shit we'd been through. But I also knew Julian was probably right. If Jasper or anyone else hadn't burst in during the I do's, they probably weren't going to do it now.

When I hesitated, Julian added, "As best man of this wedding, I demand that you, lowly groomsman, have fun."

Rolling my eyes, I pushed off the cocktail table and took a swig of my drink. "Okay, okay."

Giving my brain the order to officially stand down, I switched my attention to Madie, who still stood near Nessa, and now Grayson.

The bride and groom looked utterly and ridiculously happy. Nessa chatted animatedly with Madie, but Grayson had his hand firmly settled around Nessa's shoulder, looking down at her without distraction. I wondered if he realized he was showing the entire wedding reception his I-want-to-fuck-my-wife eyes. Something told me that maybe he knew and didn't care. That guy hadn't wasted any time in getting married. I swore that they were announcing their engagement one day, and the next, it was already the wedding.