Instead of dwelling on Patton’s off-limit status, she focused on the party. Bianca should be thrilled over the turnout, especially since it had been called off before it was back on again. Lucy arrived, hugging her before carrying a huge present to the gift table. Cady made small talk with her brothers, Jared and Dean. It really was a shame she couldn’t be attracted to Jared... Maybe Meg? She grinned. The idea had potential. At least she knew Jared was single.
Her gaze wandered to the door again. No Patton. It seemed like forever since she’d been wrapped in his arms. Had it really only been three days? So much had happened since she’d seen him last.
Bianca and Zach had reconciled and were going ahead with the wedding. They’d lost their spot at the gardens, but Zach’s company had come through in a big way. They were pulling out the stops for him and Bianca and allowing them to use a luxury resort they managed—for a fraction of the cost.
And her dinner with Mr. Hembrecht had made all of her dreams come true.
Except for Patton. He was the only piece of the puzzle that was missing. And she felt it—a huge hole in her heart.
“You look great.” Spence hugged her. “How’s it going?”
“You looking spiffy yourself.” Cady shook her head. “I think it’s going well. They look happy and that’s what counts.” She nodded at the bride- and groom-to-be.
“Yep, they look sickeningly happy,” he agreed, making her laugh.
“Cady, Cady, Cady.” Mrs. Ryan drew her into a long hug. Then she held her at arm’s length. The older woman was all smiles as she said, “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you.”
Cady hugged her, casting a curious gaze at Spence—who was trying not to laugh.
“You look so pretty,” she paused, glancing at Spence. “Doesn’t she, Spence? Such a lovely girl.”
“Thank you,” Cady murmured, uneasy. Why was Mrs. Ryan looking at her like that? As if she had a secret?
“Come on, Mom, let’s go find your daughter-in-law-to-be.” Spence steered Mrs. Ryan into the room, leaving Cady to wonder what that was all about.
Cady was straightening presents when the cake was wheeled into the room. A huge pink-and-blue cake, decorated with a massive sugar stork and marshmallow fluff diapers. A hard knot of panic landed heavily in the pit of her stomach. It was the baby-shower-sabotage cake, not the bridal shower cake with lacy frosting and edible pearls. And it was her fault. In all the confusion she’d forgotten to call the bakery and switch the cakes... She moved as quickly as she could, putting herself between the cake and the room full of people.
“There’s been a mistake,” she said to the young woman pushing the cart. “This can’t be right—” But the cart caught on the edge of the area rug, bringing it to a stop—but not the cake. The cake slid forward, splatting the front of Cady’s dress.
“Oh, no,” the young woman squeaked, covering her mouth with her hands. “I’m so sorry.”
Cady looked down at her pale blue-and-white dress...and the smear of bright pink frosting that ran across her stomach and chest.
“Cady?” Mrs. Ryan was up in an instant. “Oh, darling girl, what a mess. You’ll need to get club soda on that right—”
“Oh, Cady, your pretty dress,” GG said.
She turned to see pure shock on their faces.
“What happened?” Bianca joined the group.
Cady stood—icing sliding down her dress—knowing every pair of eyes in the room was on her. And the cake. The horrible pink-and-blue baby shower cake she’d ordered...
“Is this from Diandra’s bakery?” GG recovered first. “Does she know it’s a wedding shower? Not a baby shower? That girl was never very bright.”
“What’s with the huddle?” Spence’s eyes widened as he stared at the cake then her dress. “I’ll get this back into the kitchen and we’ll see about cleaning up this mess.”
Zach stepped in. “Spot cleaner? Hose? Napkin?”
Everyone seemed to react at once. Napkins appeared, someone tracked down the front-desk attendant and some spot cleaner. Cady stood there, waiting. No one blew up or jumped to conclusions.
“You are not using Diandra for your wedding cake,” GG declared.
Zach was all smiles. “I’ll call our number two.”
Cady started to laugh then—she had to. She was wound so tight it was laugh or cry. And there was no way she was going to fall apart in front of a room full of people.
The cake cart was on the way back to the kitchen when she saw Patton. He walked across the room, pausing to take in Cady, the cake explosion and the growing pile of napkins and tissues as her feet. “The bakery called. Something about a mistake and switching the cakes.” He held out the large box he was carrying.
But Cady didn’t give a damn about the box. Seeing him in a sharp gray suit and light blue shirt, she knew her off-limits plan was in serious jeopardy.
“I don’t think we can take this one back,” Zach quipped. “Cady’s wearing most of it.”
Everyone laughed. She tried to laugh.
“Cady?” Bianca asked softly.
She tore her gaze from Patton’s, her voice unsteady as she answered, “Hey. At least you get the cake you wanted. My dress was sacrificed for a worthy cause.”
“Oh, Cady.” Bianca laughed.
“I can get this.” Cady took the rag from Bianca. “Go be the bride-to-be. I’m going to find a bathroom.” She waved Bianca to her seat and headed to the back. But Patton stood in front of her, blocking her path and sending her heart into overdrive.
Locking eyes with her, he said, “Looks like you dove in front of the cake.”
“Um, yes, I did. I guess I panicked.” She couldn’t stop looking at him. “Did they really call you? Or are you just that good?”
He stared down at her, the corner of his mouth quirking up. “You should know the answer to that.”
And just like that, she was aching.
“You look good in pink.” His eyes swept over her. “But you look good in anything.”
His words warmed her. “I hate pink.” She stared down at the stain. “It was a pretty dress.”
He laughed.
She couldn’t help but smile then.
He smiled, but his gaze remained restless...searching. “I was going to call last night, but work kept me late and I didn’t want to wake you.” He offered her a glass of punch.
“Thank you.” She accepted the glass. His fingers brushed hers, eliciting all sorts of shivers and memories.
He stared at her hand, hard, his jaw clenching.
She took a slow breath. “You were going to call?”
“Dinner? With Hembrecht?” His voice was gravel, his gaze slamming into hers. “How’d it go?”
“Really well.” She smiled. He remembered. “He—”
“I think we’re about to open the mountain of presents,” Zach interrupted, joining them. “Sorry if you get a hand cramp.”
“Right, duty calls,” she said, glancing at Patton again. He was still staring at her. And it wasn’t as if he was trying to hide it. No, he looked at her as if...she was his. And it made her heart go crazy and her lungs desperate for air.
He nodded, his sudden smile so gorgeous she hesitated. She heard Zach’s “Take it down a little, Patton. This is a family event,” as she made her way to Bianca’s side. She couldn’t hold back the smile. At least he still wanted her. Too bad that wasn’t enough anymore.
She shoved thoughts of Patton and her disappointed heart aside. It was easy to get caught up in the excitement. Bianca was delighted, praising each and every gift and offering thanks the only way Bianca knew how—with hugs. Time and again, Cady sought out Patton. He seemed to be waiting for her, his smile warm and his gaze unwavering. If only she knew what he was thinking.
As th
e presents piled up, Cady listed every item and who it was from. She made little notes to help keep things straight, check duplicates and possible exchanges or returns. Like the very large glass pelican statue. Who wanted a large glass pelican statue?
She tried to keep her expression neutral, but when she saw Patton’s mystified expression, she couldn’t stop her giggle. He shook his head, his eyes lingering on her mouth. Even across the room, she felt the heat in his gaze.
It didn’t seem to matter that the room was full. Or that Bianca and Lucy and who knew who else was watching them... All that mattered was the way she felt, the hope his attention gave her. She didn’t know exactly how she was going to do it but, before the day was through, Patton Ryan was going to know how she felt about him.
* * *
“KEEP STARING, I’m not sure the old guy in the corner knows you and Cady are a thing.” Spence leaned against the wall beside him. “Nope, wait, I think he’s got it, too. Since you two can’t stop making eyes at each other.”
A thing? Patton grinned. He preferred the term couple. Or she was his. But she wasn’t, not officially, not yet. He sure as hell hoped she’d be agreeable to the idea.
“I never thought I’d see you grinning like a teenager,” Spence teased.
Patton glanced at his brother. “Jealous?”
“Maybe,” Spence said. “Starting to feel like the odd man out. First Zach and Bianca, now you and Cady. Not that I’m in a hurry to humiliate myself by drooling in public—like you.”
Patton ignored his brother, his attention returning to Cady. She was left-handed, one of the many things he didn’t know about her. He used to think of that as a bad thing. Now he knew it meant he had a lot to look forward to. He wouldn’t learn everything overnight—it would take years. He hoped it would. He looked forward to each and every one of them.
He slid his hand into his pocket, rubbing the ring inside. As far as rings went, it wasn’t too over-the-top. A sizable square-cut diamond solitaire. But, to him, it made a clear statement—a statement he wanted on Cady’s hand.
Eventually, the presents turned into cards. He’d put his on the bottom of the stack on purpose. Patton knew it the moment Bianca opened it.
“Patton?” Bianca looked at him. “Cady?” Her eyes filled with tears. “You...you shouldn’t have.”
Bianca launched herself at Cady, wrapping her arms around Cady and sobbing against her neck. Bianca stood and ran across the room, hugging him and kissing his cheek.
He hugged her back, trying to stay unaffected by her outburst. “Cady said the dress was perfect so...it’s yours.”
“You have a big heart...” Bianca looked back at Cady. “Both of you.”
He looked at Cady, too, but she was staring at the card.
“What did Patton do now?” Zach asked.
Bianca explained, her voice shaking with excitement. “He and Cady bought my wedding dress... My dream dress. The one in the shop that I couldn’t really afford.”
Patton preferred to stay in the background, but it seemed as if everyone felt the need to hug him, shake his hand or tell him how generous and thoughtful he and Cady were. He remained civil—he hoped.
“Time for cake,” Celeste announced, pulling the attention away from him and back to the happy couple. He drew in a deep breath, his gaze sweeping the room for Cady—
“Did you forget to tell me something?” Cady asked, at his side—staring up at him with warm brown eyes.
He stared right back. “We bought Bianca her dress—”
Then she was kissing him, on the lips, in the middle of the room—surrounded by everyone. His arms wrapped around her without thought. She was where she belonged, and he was fine with everyone knowing it.
He lifted his head, smiling down at her. She looked so beautiful...he couldn’t wait. He took her hand in his and pulled her from the room and out of the inn. He didn’t stop until they were alone. It was a beautiful spring day, a cool breeze blowing a large wicker swing on the inn’s wraparound porch. But all he could see was Cady.
He kissed her then, softly, his eyes searching hers.
“Patton,” she said softly. “What am I going to do with you?”
“I have a few ideas,” he answered, pressing another kiss to her lips. His nerves were shot, but he knew what he had to do.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked.
“I wanted to surprise you.”
“Me?” she asked, a small smile on her face.
“I wanted Bianca to have the dress she wanted, don’t get me wrong. But I knew it would make you happy, too.” His confession spilled out, leaving his chest heavy...full. “I want to make you happy, Cady.”
“You want to make me happy?” she whispered.
He nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear. “You make me happy.”
“I do?” Her voice faltered.
He pulled the ring from his pocket and held it up. His heart beat rapidly, every inch of him braced... Hopeful but wary.
Her eyes were wide, flitting back and forth between him and the ring. “What happened to not rushing to the altar?”
“Cady, if I’m marrying you, you can’t get me there fast enough,” Patton said, laying it all on the line. He knew it was a risk, but she wasn’t running yet.
“Really?” Her brown eyes sparkled—and so did her smile.
He swallowed, his nerves on edge. “Marry me.”
“Are you asking me? Or telling me?”
He shrugged, needing her answer so he could breathe again. “Whatever it takes.”
“Whatever?” she asked, her brow furrowing ever so slightly.
He nodded, his heart in his throat. “I’ll keep asking until I get the answer I want.”
“Even if I’d rather go the easy route—like city hall? Or a trip to Vegas? Something small—without all the bells and whistles?”
He could breathe again. “So that’s a yes?”
“That’s a yes.” She held her hand out. It was trembling.
He slid the ring on her finger then kissed her hand and placed it on his chest. He stepped closer, winding his arms around her. Now, finally, she was his. “I love you.”
“It’s about time you said it,” she murmured, pressing her lips against his. “I guess this makes me the luckiest woman in the world. First, a promotion—”
Patton leaned back so he could see her. “I knew it.”
She nodded. “Charles is heading up HR, which is what he wants. And I’m getting what I want—a big corner office with a fabulous view and a fabulous raise.” She kissed him. “And you.” She stared up at him, her voice wavering as she added, “More importantly, you.” She shook her head. “The fact that you’re incredible in bed is an added bonus. See, lucky.”
He chuckled. “You work hard, Cady, that’s not luck. I’m glad they appreciate you. They should.” He pulled her close again. “You deserve it.”
“It means a lot that you believe in me, Patton.” She pressed her hand to his cheek. “We have to promise, right now, we’ll put each other before our careers. I know it’ll be hard and require a lot of work, on both our parts, but I want this to work. I want us to work,” she said, glancing at the ring on her finger. “I need us to work. I know who I am, I like who I am. But with you, I’m better.”
“Agreed.” He kissed her hand, her words filling his head and heart. “You’re want I want, what I need.” His hand cupped her cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she murmured, her brown gaze locking with his. “Guess we should get back to the party now?” She paused, smiling up at him and taking his hand in hers. “Bianca will be so relieved.”
“Relieved?” he asked, letting her lead him back inside.
“Her dream,” Cady explained. “She had a dream about us.”
“Right. The whole matchmaking thing?”
She nodded. “And I guess it’s good news for us, too.”
Patton quirked an eyebrow. “How so?”
“The Garza women pride themselves on their matches.” She stopped walking, standing on tiptoe to kiss him. “Love matches...that last a lifetime.”
He drew her into his arms again. “I like the sound of that.”
“Me, too,” she said between kisses. “Me, too.”
Epilogue
“MY FEET HURT,” Cady whispered in Patton’s ear.
“I love it when you talk dirty,” he answered.
She laughed, staring up at him.
The dance floor was almost deserted now. Bianca and Zach—the bride and groom—had left, the party was winding down and it was time for Cady’s surprise.
“Does that mean you’re ready to go?” she asked.
“Go?” he asked. “I thought we were staying here tonight?” He gave her a wicked look.
“We are...” She took his hand and tugged him off the dance floor. “But first we’re taking a field trip.” She didn’t stop until they walked out the front doors of the hotel. “If you’re up for it?” she asked.
Patton’s jaw clenched tightly as he inspected the limo that waited. When he looked at her, she didn’t need to hear him say, “Oh, I’m up for it.”
The driver opened the door and Cady climbed right in. Patton’s hands were on her before the door was shut.
“Tell me about this fantasy, Detective,” she whispered, tilting her head back for a kiss.
“How about I show you?” he asked, pressing his lips to her neck. His hand rested on her thigh, burning through the silk of her bridesmaid dress. When he lifted his head, she twisted her fingers in his hair and tugged his mouth to hers.
The lights from the city outside spilled into the cab, just enough light to see him. And how much he wanted her.
Seducing the Best Man (Wild Wedding Nights #1) Page 18