Passionate Kisses

by Various

  “Keep ’em down. Jorge likes me on the wild side.” Maggie took off her hat and shook out her white hair, which was so short it barely moved.

  Liz choked back a laugh.

  “Down it is,” Daisy agreed. She pulled slowly away from the curb and took a series of back streets through town to St. Joseph’s.

  Daisy pulled up to the church parking lot. Maggie checked the passenger-side mirror and pinned her hat back in place. She grinned. “Ready, girls?”

  “Ready,” Daisy and Liz replied in unison.

  Daisy got Bryce out of the back seat in his carrier while Liz escorted Maggie up the front walk. The minute she stepped foot in the church, she spotted Ryan. Her heart kicked up a rapid tattoo. He stood at the front of the church with Trav and Shane—all three of them in black tuxedos—only one of them making her legs feel like rubber.

  Liz walked down the aisle with Maggie toward the three men, holding onto the older woman’s arm to keep herself steady. Ryan’s eyes took in his grandmother and then lingered on Liz. She risked a close-up look at him. No one should look that hot in a tuxedo, his broad shoulders emphasized by the material, tapering down to his trim waist. Her body heated, and she was sure her face was flaming red. For a fleeting moment, it felt like he was the groom waiting for her to walk down the aisle to him.

  “Daisy,” Trav said under his breath, hurrying down the aisle and past Liz to where Daisy had just walked in with Bryce. He took the carrier from her and grinned at his sleeping son. They talked for a minute, and then Trav handed the baby off to Liz’s mother. They walked down the aisle together, Daisy looking uncomfortable, Trav serious.

  “Okay, we’re just waiting for Jorge, Faith, and Grace,” Maggie said. “I need to get to the waiting room with Father Munson and you girls before the groom sees me in my gown. Bad luck, you know.”

  Liz and Daisy disappeared with Maggie in a back room off the side of the altar. The priest joined them a moment later.

  “Father Munson, how nice to see you!” Maggie exclaimed.

  The dour priest didn’t answer right away as he took in Maggie’s orange hat and equally orange wedding gown. Finally, he offered a strained smile. “Lovely day for a wedding. Would you like to have a seat while you wait, Maggie?”

  “I’m too excited to sit,” Maggie said. “Will you check and see if Jorge is here?”

  “Of course.” The priest left them alone.

  They heard the moment Bryce woke up with his usual wail. Daisy grabbed her breasts. “Ah! My milk let down. I’ve got to go feed him before the ceremony.” She took off.

  “I hope she makes it back in time,” Liz said.

  “No worries,” Maggie said. “Feeding the baby comes first.”

  Father Munson returned. “The groom is here. I’ve told your guests to have a seat.” He rubbed his hands together with anticipation. “Liz, why don’t you take Maggie through the back hallway where she can wait by the entrance to walk down the aisle.”

  Liz offered her arm and walked Maggie toward the back of the church. “Are you nervous, Maggie?”

  “Just excited. When it’s right, there’s nothing to be nervous about. It’s another adventure.” She winked.

  Liz blinked. With the new baby, her life seemed full, but certainly not adventurous. She missed the fun single life she’d begun to enjoy with Maggie and Rachel.

  And Ryan. Speaking of…

  Ryan appeared by Maggie’s side to walk her down the aisle. Liz felt the weight of his stare, but merely gave him a quick nod and stared straight ahead. This day was about Maggie, not her and Ryan. She took a slow deep breath. Faith and Grace joined them. A moment later, the music started.

  “Wait, stop the—” Maggie trailed off as Daisy came rushing toward them, adjusting her bra under her gown. “You made it!”

  “Oh, I left the flowers behind.” Daisy grabbed a tulip out of Liz’s bouquet and started down the aisle, followed by Faith, then Grace. Liz rearranged her bouquet to adjust for the empty space and started down the aisle. She reached the front of the church, and the music changed to the wedding march.

  She watched Maggie make her way down the aisle on Ryan’s arm. Maggie beamed at everyone, waving at a few people in the aisles, positively glowing with happiness. Ryan looked serious and…well, protective. The man of the family.

  She’d missed him, but she hadn’t realized how much until she saw him again. She turned away and caught a look at the groom, who was matching Maggie’s happiness with a loving smile. Liz’s heart ached.

  As Father Munson began the ceremony, Liz couldn’t help peeking at Ryan, who stood just on the other side of the groom. He caught her looking, and she snapped her attention back to Maggie and Jorge.

  Tears sprang to Liz’s eyes as they were pronounced man and wife. She heard a sniffle and glanced back at Daisy, who was openly crying, wiping the tears away with the back of her hand. Family and friends broke into applause as the new Mr. and Mrs. Chavez were announced to the congregation.

  Liz followed quickly after them down the aisle, ignoring the fact that she was supposed to walk down with Ryan. Relief washed over her as she put some serious distance between them. It was too painful to be close to him. She just had to get through the reception.

  ~ ~ ~

  Ryan slipped into the rented limo with his brothers, Jorge, and a glowing Gran. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you!” Maggie said, passing the champagne. Everyone filled a plastic wineglass.

  “To us,” Jorge said happily.

  “And good times!” Maggie cheered. Everyone clinked glasses with each other. The happy couple sipped champagne from each other’s glasses, and then Jorge kissed Maggie on the mouth.

  Ryan turned away from the sight, his champagne glass untouched. He could barely stomach the fact they were doing the nasty at their age; he didn’t need to witness it. He’d still kill Jorge if he hurt Gran, but he couldn’t deny that, so far, Jorge made Gran happy.

  It had hit him hard seeing Liz again. She looked fantastic in the dress, her hair up with a few loose pieces curling around her neck. He couldn’t believe how much he’d missed her. But he’d made plans. He hoped they were enough. He glanced at Trav, so uncharacteristically quiet next to him. His brother held an empty champagne glass and stared out the window, deep in thought.

  “What’s up with you guys?” Shane whispered from his other side. “You’re so quiet. Aren’t you happy for Gran?”

  Trav smiled, looking at the couple sitting across from them. “Yeah, I am.”

  “Me too,” Ryan said.

  “And what about your talk with Jorge?” Maggie demanded, looking right at him. “The grand romantic gesture?”

  That was supposed to be between men. He shot Jorge a lethal look. Jorge just shrugged and raised his palms.

  Trav chortled. “Ryan’s got it bad.”

  Ryan socked him one. Trav just grinned. Shane looked on expectantly.

  “I thought of something,” Ryan admitted. “But I don’t know if it’ll work.”

  “What?” Shane asked.

  Ryan’s lips formed a straight line. “You’ll know soon enough.”

  Maggie clapped her hands. “You wow her, Ryan!”

  The car pulled up to Garner’s Sports Bar & Grill for the reception. Ryan felt queasy thinking of what he was about to do next. If it didn’t work, if he couldn’t get through to her, he was out of options.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Garner’s Sports Bar & Grill was busting at the seams. Her parents had set up a nice buffet for the wedding guests, and some tables and chairs had been removed for dancing. Streamers, balloons, and paper wedding bells ran along the ceiling. Shane was acting as DJ at a table set up with a mike and sound system. Liz had been happy to see Ryan greeting his father and his girlfriend, Gina, a serious woman in a modest blue dress, in a nice way—not warm, but polite. It was progress, and she was glad for him and for Maggie. It promised to be a drama-free event.

  Her parents directed the
bride and groom to the buffet; then the rest of the party guests followed. After everyone had been seated and were well into the meal, Ryan stood up and took the mike from Shane. He clinked his glass for the best man toast.

  “Hi, everyone,” Ryan said. “Let’s toast to my grandmother, a spunky woman—”

  “Here, here!” Maggie cheered.

  “—who showed me that when it’s right, it’s right. Gran, I am happy that you’re happy. And we welcome Jorge to the family.”

  Jorge came up and hugged Ryan, whose eyes widened as the older man finished the hug with a kiss on both cheeks. He then did the same to Shane and Trav sitting nearby. Maggie ran up, tears in her eyes, and took her turn hugging and kissing her new husband.

  Everyone applauded.

  Liz joined them by the mike. “While your attention is up here, I also want to give a toast.” She paused, looking at Maggie with a smile. “I got to know Maggie this summer, and she’s become a close friend. She has taught me so much about life and how to enjoy the moment. She changed me for the better, and I thank her for that. Good luck with her, Jorge. She’s a firecracker!” Everyone clapped and laughed.

  Maggie grabbed the mike. “Can I just say…” She paused and pitched her voice above the laughter. “I want to thank Liz for her friendship and her steady composure, which helped me feel comfortable in trying new things. Liz, if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have reached so high. I used to be like you, tied to routine and responsibilities. You reminded me it was time to stretch and fly beyond that. So thank you.”

  Liz smiled tightly, feeling vaguely insulted that she was the dreary reason Maggie tried so hard to have a new life. Maggie folded her into a hug, pulled away, and smiled with a twinkle in her eye.

  “Go back to your tables for a wonderful dessert, everyone!” Maggie said.

  After the dessert—tiramisu and wedding cake with a layer of tropical fruit—Shane started some dance music, beginning with a lively cha-cha for the newlywed couple.

  Maggie and Jorge hit the dance floor, showing off their cha-cha skills, and then, as the music changed, segued into a slow waltz. After a few moments, Shane announced, “Bridal party, join in.”

  Liz and Daisy looked at each other. There were three men in the bridal party, one of them occupied as a DJ. Trav and Ryan didn’t hesitate. Trav took Daisy’s hand and tugged her onto the dance floor. Ryan placed a hand on the small of Liz’s back and guided her in place next to Trav and Daisy. Reluctantly, she placed her hands on his broad shoulders, feeling his heat through his dress shirt. He’d removed his jacket and bow tie, and unbuttoned the shirt enough to reveal golden skin. She left enough space between them to prevent any accidental touching.

  Shane joined them on the dance floor with Grace, who quickly took the lead. Faith danced with her husband, Vinnie.

  “I missed you,” Ryan whispered in her ear.

  Her knees buckled. Stay strong. Your life is different now.

  “Me too,” she admitted. Missed was putting it mildly. She couldn’t get him out of her mind. His rare smile, the way he looked out for his family, the nights they’d spent together.

  Ryan kept his mouth close to her ear. “I took a job as a police officer over in Fieldridge. Chief Bailey says if I put in a year there, he’ll make me Police Chief in Clover Park when he retires.”

  She pulled back and looked at him. “Ryan, that’s great.”

  “It’s because of you, Liz. You reminded me why I became a cop in the first place. Remember that summer when you got sick on the beach from too much sun?”

  Omigod, he remembers The Humiliation. She nodded numbly. They’d stopped moving. Her hands stayed on his shoulders, his on her waist, as couples danced around them.

  “I liked helping you,” Ryan said. “It made me want to protect and serve. Well, that and working with Chief Bailey to keep Trav out of trouble.”

  She couldn’t believe it. All this time she’d avoided him because of The Humiliation and he saw it only as a good thing, something that led him to his career. She felt like an idiot.

  He went on. “I’ll be working with at-risk kids, too, at the police athletic league in Eastman. Kids like Trav who made a few mistakes and just need some guidance to get back on the straight and narrow.”

  “I’m happy for you. I know you’ll be great at that.” She couldn’t imagine a better job for him, and working with the kids just made her love him more. She dropped her hands from his shoulders. It was painful knowing he didn’t fit in her life anymore. She pushed his hands off her waist. “I’d better go.”

  Shane crooned into the microphone. “Everyone join in for one of Gran’s favorites.” “Born to be Wild” blasted from the speakers. Maggie grabbed Liz’s hand and pulled her to the center of the dance floor, where she belted out the lyrics. Ryan walked away.

  Her mother danced with Bryce, and he appeared to be nodding off with the pulsing beat. Her dad danced nearby. Jorge appeared, and Liz stepped aside as Jorge raised his arms and began what could only be described as an appreciative mating dance for his new bride.

  The song ended, and Daisy’s voice carried loudly across the entire room. “Just because we have a baby doesn’t mean we should be together!”

  A shocked silence followed.

  Daisy stormed off the dance floor, followed by Trav. Liz watched her sister go. Ryan appeared at her side again.

  “He’s pushing her too hard,” Liz said, watching them. Even from this distance, she could tell it was a heated conversation.

  “They have to work it out themselves,” Ryan said. “Listen, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking…and—”

  “All the single ladies gather around for the bouquet toss!” Shane hollered into the mike.

  Liz stayed where she was. Maggie gestured wildly to her. She pretended not to see, but then Rachel grabbed her hand and dragged her along. Grace and Gina joined them. Maggie covered her eyes, turned, and flung it directly backward into Liz’s arms. Liz threw it like a hot potato to Rachel, who threw it back.

  Maggie turned around and opened her eyes. “Good. You’re next, dear.”

  Liz’s cheeks burned as all eyes fell on her. She quickly deposited the bouquet on a table and headed for the bar. It was sweet of Maggie to think of her, but it was painful that she knew it wasn’t happening anytime soon. If she wasn’t so busy with Bryce, she’d get those ten cats and start her spinsterhood off right.

  Her white wine arrived a minute later. She reached for it when a hand pulled it away. She turned, not amused, to see Ryan holding the wineglass, looking at her intently. “C’mon, I want to show you something.”

  The last time he’d said that she’d gotten hot and bothered in the back corner of the library.

  “No, thank you.” She reached for the wine, but he held it over her head out of reach.

  “I’m serious.”

  “I’ve already seen what you’ve got,” Liz said, completely out of patience. “Now gimme my wine.”

  “It’s not that. I want to show you something at my place.”

  Do I have idiot stamped on my forehead? They both knew what would happen if they were alone at his place.

  She leaped to grab the wine and some sloshed out on her head. “Ah!”

  He bit back a smile. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

  She grabbed a bar napkin and dried off the bit of wine. “Great,” she muttered. “Now my hair’s going to be a sticky mess.”

  He set the wine down out of her reach and smoothed her hair in place. “You look fine. Now come with me. I’m not trying to—”

  “My life is different now. I’ve got Bryce.”

  “I know. That’s okay. Just come on.” He took her hand.

  She anchored her feet in place and lifted her chin to give him a good glare for ruining her hair and making her rattled all over again. “I can’t leave the reception. I’m the maid of honor.”

  “Gran’s okay with it.” His fingers stroked her wrist, seducing her as hot shivers ran up her
arm.

  “Did you ask the bride?” she demanded.

  “No, but she’ll understand.”

  She gave him a skeptical look.

  He exhaled sharply. “This isn’t supposed to be the hard part. Why are you fighting me? I just want to show you something!”

  “You don’t get to yell at me!” She jerked her hand free and turned her back to him.

  The next thing she knew she was airborne. He’d swept her legs right out from under her and carried her in his arms, past the bar, past some very curious wedding guests. She pummeled his shoulder to no effect. “Put me down!”

  “Gran, we’ll be back!” he called.

  “Take your time!” Maggie hollered. The wedding guests tittered.

  “No, we won’t!” Liz saw red. She wasn’t going to be the laughing stock of the town, getting carried out the door when she was supposed to be a dignified maid of honor. She writhed in his arms, kicking her legs.

  “You are wild,” he said like he didn’t mind that at all. “Up you go.” In one quick move, he tossed her over his shoulder, one hand on her bottom, the other pinning her legs in place. The blood rushed to her head, and the fight went out of her as complete mortification set in.

  “Don’t let them see my underwear,” she whispered fiercely.

  He patted her bottom. “No worries, I’ve got your dress firmly in place.”

  She closed her eyes to shut out the shocked faces of their friends and family, trying very hard to ignore the whispers and giggles. Now she had a new incident to call The Humiliation.

  He set her down on the sidewalk outside, keeping her arms pinned to her sides. “Drive or carry to my place?”

  “Drive,” she said between clenched teeth.

  They drove in silence the few blocks, and he pulled up in front of his house. “It’s inside.”

  “I’ll wait on the porch,” she said evenly.

  “Do I need to tie you to the porch rail?”

  She resisted the urge to kick him in the shins. “No, you got me here. I’ll see this whatever it is you wanted to show me so badly that you felt the need to carry me out like a caveman in front of half the town and completely humiliate me!”