“Why don’t we focus on you getting married, and save my issues for another day.”

Thad pops the crown onto his head. “Okay, but don’t think I’m going to drop this. If you love her, then we have to get her back . . . even if she’s going to win the entire competition for her brother.”

“You never know—we still have a chance.”

Thad scoffs. “We can pretty much pull anything off, but those hot-pink bow ties and cummerbunds are going to do us in.”

“Hell . . . I forgot about those.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

LUNA

“Flashy.”

“Slightly gaudy.”

“Interesting . . .”

“Garish.”

“Why do I think the flamingos work?”

Declan and Cohen stare at the reception space with open mouths. Flamingo Dancer somehow works . . .

Feathers are scattered everywhere. It looks like they repurposed feather boas into garlands, there are added ruffles on the back of every chair—a detail I apparently missed on their vision board—and giant disco balls hang from the ceiling . . . where did they get those?

And oddly enough, it feels loving, spot on, and so Thad and Naomi. It might not be my style, or anyone’s for that matter, but it’s them, and that’s what the competition is really about. About the couples.

“Why do I feel like this wedding is more suited for gay men?” Declan asks, nodding toward a feather centerpiece that’s crowding our small cocktail table.

“Because it is,” Cohen says just as a waiter comes up with a tray of coconut shrimp. We each take a piece and bite into it. Surprisingly, it’s really good.

“How did they keep this all under budget?” Declan asks.

“Didn’t use real flowers,” I say, scanning the room, unsure of what to look at next. “I think it’s the uplighting that’s getting me.”

“I think that’s it too,” Declan says with a nod. “Lime-green and pink—really interesting choices for colors. It’s making us all look sickly.”

“Yeah, that’s a good way to describe it.”

“Ceremony was great,” Declan says, pressing his hand to his heart. “Thad breaking down was so endearing. The guy might be a little much, but you can tell he truly adores Naomi.”

“He does,” Cohen says and then nudges my shoulder with his. “Doesn’t hurt that his best man was total eye candy up there, even if he was wearing a hot-pink cummerbund.”

“Yeah, I might have stared a few times,” Declan says. “That beard is totally working for him—brings the whole Chris Evans thing to life. Don’t you think, Luna?”

I hate them both.

I’m already on the verge of a mental breakdown after seeing Alec and not being able to do anything about it. I don’t need these two knuckleheads recapping how handsome Alec looked standing next to Thad. The pride on his face as he watched his brother get married was beautiful. And the handshake they shared afterward, which was followed by a giant hug . . . I teared up, knowing they’d worked things out.

And I guess that’s all that really matters: Thad and Alec having a relationship. I know how much that means to Alec. It might have come at a cost, but family is worth everything.

“Are you not going to comment on how handsome Alec looked?” Declan asks.

“Why should I? You two are gushing enough for me.”

“Oh, she’s spicy today,” Cohen says, laughing.

“When is she not spicy?” Declan asks between sips of his strawberry margarita, one of the wedding’s two signature cocktails. Team Baxter chose to go with two signature liquor drinks and then fountain drinks, a cheaper option, but not as cheap as Team Hernandez’s, who served absolute piss for drinks—Declan’s words, not mine.

“Does this mean you’re not going to go up and talk to him?”

“No way in hell,” I say, wishing I had another one of those coconut shrimps. I glance around the room, searching for a waiter, but finding anyone feels next to impossible with all the dramatic lighting. A little overboard, maybe.

“Interesting,” Cohen says, using the exact tone of voice he knows drives me nuts—elusive, but with a hidden meaning behind it.

I bite. “What?”

“Oh . . . nothing.”

“Stop it.” I practically stomp my foot. “If you want to say something, then just say it.”

“I don’t know if I should. What do you think, Declan?”

He shrugs. “I’m not sure she’s stable enough to hear it.”

“Hear what?” I look between the two men, loving them and hating them at the same time.

“Well, we happened to have a conversation with Alec after you left yesterday.”

“You what?” I ask as fear creeps up my spine. “You didn’t say anything about me, did you?”

“What kind of brother would I be if I did that? Nah, I just asked if he still loved you.”

I gulp.

My breath comes out in short, quick bursts.

My pulse picks up, the thump thump of it almost blocking out all the noise around me.

“What, uh . . . what did he say?” I ask casually; at least I think it was casual, until Declan and Cohen both laugh out loud.

“I don’t think she deserves to know,” Cohen says.

“Oh look, her face is turning red . . . or is that the lights?”

“Enough!” I shout, startling both of them. “Just tell me what he said.”

Cohen smiles widely. “He still loves you.” My heart literally skips a beat—I feel it leap in my chest. “But he thinks you want nothing to do with him, so he’s not making a move. He shut the door on the opportunity and claims he doesn’t want to bother you.”

“Oh God,” I whisper, looking out toward the crowd.

“They’re taking pictures,” Declan says, “but they should be announced back into the room soon.”

“He . . . he loves me?”

“Didn’t know that?”

I shake my head, tears welling in my eyes for what feels like the hundredth time this week.

He loves me. I never expected him to feel that way about me, especially after everything I said to him. Even still, I need to hear it from him.

Not from my brother.

Not from Declan.

I need to hear those words straight from Alec’s mouth.

“Ladies and gentlemen, can we clear the dance floor?” the DJ says into the microphone as Hall & Oates’ “You Make My Dreams Come True” starts playing. “We’re ready to get this party started, but first, I want to introduce the best man and the matron of honor. Put your hands together and please welcome Sarah Wilson and Alec Baxter.”

The doors leading outside open, and Alec walks in with Sarah on his arm. They do a cute shimmy together. I can’t help but feel a surge of jealousy as they laugh at each other, but the minute they part, Sarah goes straight to her husband’s arms, while Alec awkwardly stands next to them, clapping with the rest of the crowd.

“They don’t need much of a bridal party because they have all the love in this room,” the DJ says, “so moving on to the main event, let’s welcome the bride and groom, Mr. and Mrs. Thaddeus Baxter.”

The room hollers with excitement as Thad and Naomi come charging through the doors, Naomi on Thad’s back, whipping him in the butt with her bouquet as they gallop onto the dance floor.

All three of us, along with everyone else, laugh, and then the music dies down into a slow song.

“Can’t Help Falling in Love”—the acoustic version—starts playing, and the room quiets down. The uplighting turns to all pink, and feathers fall from the ceiling, filling the air with so much romance that I actually think they have a shot at winning this entire competition.

Hands clasped to my chest, I watch as Thad places his hand on Naomi’s lower back and guides her back and forth to the slow, melodic beat of the beautiful song, whispering things in her ear that make her laugh. Being in the presence of so much love makes you do weird things, like looking for the man of your dreams, who’s standing across the room, hands in his pockets, looking straight at you.

My heart hammers in my chest.

My mouth becomes completely dry.

But my eyes never leave his.

I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to.

“The bride and groom would like to call all couples onto the dance floor to join them,” the DJ says into the microphone.

I feel Cohen’s hand on my back as he brings his mouth to my ear. “Go ask him to dance.”

“I can’t—”

“You can. He loves you. Look at him. He’s so desperate. Put the poor man out of his misery and make the first move.”

“What if he rejects me?”

“Trust me, he won’t.” He gives me a little shove forward before taking Declan’s hand. Together, they walk out on the floor, hand in hand, and join the crowd, dancing together.

I freeze in place for a few beats, watching as Alec stands there, all alone. He looks as handsome as ever, but with a sadness etched in his eyes.

And before I can stop myself, I pick up my long black skirt and shuffle along the dance floor. Couples part for me, stepping aside as I get closer and closer to Alec. His breath catches in his throat, and he licks his lips. When I reach him, I hold my hand out, hoping he doesn’t see that it’s visibly shaking. “May I have this dance?”

He looks down at my extended hand, and then back up at me.

Nerves build and swirl inside me as I wait for his answer.

One beat.

Two.