And that’s where uncomplicated had become complicated.
She sighed, closed her planner and headed downstairs. It was time to put thoughts of her oh-so-complicated relationship with Nathan away for now. Because it was wedding day for Barrett and Harmony, and that’s the only thing she intended to think about for the rest of the day.
TWENTY-FIVE
SO FAR, IT HAD BEEN AN AWESOME DAY. THE BEST thing about not being involved in a wedding was that you could kick back and relax.
Nathan had played golf with all the guys this morning, which was a blast. He’d shot a decent game, so at least no one had been able to give him shit about that. He mentally thanked his dad for dragging him around golf courses from the time he was a teenager. At the time, he hadn’t appreciated it, but Dad had always told him golf was a social game as well as a game of skill and patience, and that someday all those lessons would come in handy.
He’d been right. His dad was always right, dammit.
They’d had lunch in Austin, then driven back to the ranch to get ready for the wedding.
Since he had no official wedding duties, he asked what he could do to help. Easton told him he could assist in supervising the set-up of the reception barn since Lydia was busy getting her hair done and she’d handed him a clipboard saying it was essential everything be done right.
“So you want me to handle this?” Nathan asked, looking over a checklist.
Easton slanted a grin in his direction. “Yeah. Because I have to handle the liquor.”
“The drinking of it or the stocking of it?”
Easton laughed. “I wish we could start drinking. But I don’t think Barrett would be very happy with me if I was inebriated before his wedding even started. So I’ll settle on supervising the stocking. With maybe one beer.”
Nathan smiled. “Okay, what do you need me to do?”
“Just make sure everything on this list gets checked off. And, I guess, it’s supposed to look good.”
Nathan gave Easton a wide-eyed look. “How am I supposed to know if it looks good?”
Easton slapped him on the back. “Hell if I know. Good luck, kid.”
So now he was watching people set up tables and chairs and put down linen tablecloths and flower centerpieces and whatnot. Definitely things that were out of his wheelhouse, but hey, he had a checklist, so he supposed he was good to go. He just hoped these people knew what they were doing, because if something got screwed up, he was the one with the damn clipboard.
He wished Mia was here. In fact . . .
He pulled his phone out of his back pocket and texted her.
Where R U?
He waited. Five minutes later he got a return text.
Getting makeup done. What’s up?
Dammit.
He replied with, Nothing. Have fun.
She replied right away with, Do you need me?
She had no idea how much he needed her right now, but if he said he did, she’d come running. And it was hot as fuck out here and her makeup would melt.
He could handle this shit.
So he replied with, No, I’m good. C U L8r
He took his clipboard and wandered the barn, counting all the tables. They were all up and in place according to the plan, so he checked that off. Then he did the same with chairs. Tablecloths had all been put on. Next he had to do the place settings.
What the fuck did he know about place settings?
“What did you need?”
He spun around to see Mia standing there. She was gorgeous. Her hair was perfect, like it always was, and her makeup looked—he supposed, like makeup. He didn’t know, since she always looked pretty. But the sundress bared her shoulders and her neck and he really wanted to put his mouth on her neck.
“Should you be out here?” he asked.
She frowned at him. “Why shouldn’t I be out here?”
“Because you had your makeup done and it’s hot.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not a freaking snowflake, Nathan. Now what’s going on?”
He pointed to the clipboard. “Your dad put me in charge of this after your mom put him in charge of it and I’m not sure I know what I’m supposed to do.”
She took the clipboard from him. “Let me see it.”
She scanned the list, then looked over the barn. She started wandering around to inspect a few of the tables. She handed the clipboard back to him. “It looks great. The team knows what they’re doing, so your job is to just stand here in case anyone has questions. And if they do, text me and I’ll ask my mom.”
He was so relieved. “Thanks. I didn’t want to screw it up.”
She grasped his arm, lifted up on her toes and pressed a kiss to his lips. “That’s sweet. I have to go. See you later.”
“Okay. Oh, and, Mia?”
She had started to walk away, but stopped. “Yes?”
“You look really pretty.”
Her lips curved. “Thanks, Nathan. You look hot and sweaty.”
He grinned. “Thanks. Later, Mia.”
She wandered off and he relaxed into his job, figuring all he had to do was monitor things. Now that the stress was off of him, he appreciated how nice the barn looked. Even though the reception was taking place in the barn, the tables were round and sturdy, and they’d been fancied up by the nice linens. Bright lights were strung over the wood beams, and they’d cleared a dance floor at the front, where there was a long table set up for the wedding party.
It should be a fun night. They just had to get Barrett and Harmony married so they could get to the party portion of the evening.
Nathan was more than ready to party.
TWENTY-SIX
MIA STOOD AT THE FRONT OF THE BARN AND WATCHED her brother Barrett declare his love for Harmony. She blinked back tears as he recited his vows to love and honor Harmony for the rest of his life.
She’d cried tears of happiness for each of her brothers at their weddings and for the women she’d grown to love like sisters. She loved Harmony just as much and couldn’t wait to welcome her into the Cassidy fold.
Her brothers had all made wonderful choices in women and as Barrett and Harmony sealed their bond with a kiss, she sniffled and smiled.
After the ceremony, they took what Mia thought was about a million photos before they made their way from the wedding barn to the reception barn. She was happy to walk in there first to the cheers of the crowd, then stand in a line with the other bridesmaids and groomsmen as Barrett and Harmony were introduced as husband and wife to wild cheers and applause.
Then they had their first dance, and it was so sweepingly romantic. Harmony looked beautiful. She’d chosen a very simple A-line wedding gown with a sweetheart neckline that clung to her curves and looked stunning on her. She’d worn her hair up, a few tendrils curled around her face. The only jewelry she had on were her mother’s pearl necklace and matching earrings. Simple, yet exquisite. She glowed.
Oh, and Barrett looked nice, too, she thought with a grin.
After the bride and groom finished up, the bridal party danced, which was kind of hilarious since Mia was partnered up with one of the defensive linemen from Barrett’s team who towered over her by at least a foot and a half. But he was so sweet to her and so cautious as they moved around the floor. He didn’t step on her toes once, which was awesome considering he had enormous feet.
“I practiced with my wife,” Jacob said while they danced. “She told me if I crushed your toes she’d never speak to me again.”
Mia laughed. “You’re doing great, so I think you’re safe.”
After the dance, her obligations as a bridesmaid were mostly over. She had to sit at the head table with the bridal party during the toasts, and then there was dinner, which was spectacular. She was happy that dinner was catered, even though Barrett and Harmony had kept the guest list small. Only family and close friends had been invited and it ended up being intimate and sweet rather than ostentatious and crowded.
It was lovely and her brother looked happier than she’d ever seen him.
She got up from the table to stretch her legs and walk off dinner. She made her way to the bar to grab a cocktail.
She’d had champagne for the toast, but otherwise she’d avoided alcohol so she could stay clearheaded today. Now she was ready to party. She decided on a dirty martini. She took the glass and walked away from the bar, wandering about the crowd.