Ethan (Alluring Indulgence #5)(132)
Author: Nicole Edwards

Ethan and Beau hadn’t wasted any time once they made the decision to formalize their relationship, not even giving Zane and V a chance to get married before they decided to do the deed. It had been rather amusing to watch Zane get huffy over the fact that another one bit the dust before he managed to. His words exactly. Then again, Zane had no one to blame except for Beau, who had beaten Ethan to the punch and proposed first, insisting that the wedding be prompt. He was proud of that fact too.

Now that the official (yet unofficial) ceremony was over, everyone had gathered to celebrate the union between Ethan and Beau. The ceremony had been touching, even Sawyer could admit that much. As he had stood beside Ethan as his best man, and Zane beside Beau, the two men had pronounced their love and lifetime commitment to one another. Sawyer had heard sobs from the women in the audience, the loudest of which had probably been their mother. Rightfully so.

Sawyer noticed Travis and Kaleb talking to the groom – or rather to both grooms as was the case – and he moved over to eavesdrop, without actually eavesdropping. Stepping up beside Ethan, he clapped him on the back as Travis explained something about the information on a piece of paper they were signing.

“It’s binding,” Travis added.

“I hope so,” Beau said with a grin, glancing over at Ethan.

Sawyer laughed and then stepped away, grabbing a flute of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter. He noticed his father and his mother on the dance floor, moving slowly as they looked back at one another.

One day, Sawyer thought to himself.

Yep, one day he might just find what the two of them found all those years ago. Or hell, he’d be content with finding what Kaleb and Zoey, Zane and V, Travis, Kylie and Gage, as well as Ethan and Beau had found. He just wasn’t sure it was in his cards.

Ethan and Beau passed in front of him, laughing at something Zane had said and Sawyer watched them for a second.

Those two were certainly made for one another and Sawyer didn’t have a single doubt in his mind that they would share the rest of their lives together. There may not be any guarantees in life, but Sawyer could sense that those two were meant to be.

Hell, just a short while ago, he’d watched while Ethan had held Kaleb’s son in his arms, Beau by his side, and it was easy to imagine the two of them with one of their own in the future. Sawyer wasn’t quite sure what their plans were, but no matter what they decided, he’d be right there rooting for them all the way.

Another couple that caught Sawyer’s attention was his cousin Tessa and her husband, Cooper. Not long ago, they’d all attended their wedding and being that Cooper was a country music superstar, Zane thought it only fitting to invite them.

Thankfully, Travis had informed Cooper that he didn’t have to perform. Instead, Travis had invited a friend of his, Cheyenne Montgomery, to be the night’s entertainment. Sawyer wasn’t sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way, Brendon must’ve become a country music fan because when the woman wasn’t singing, she was talking to him.

Speaking of Brendon… Sawyer’s attention was drawn to Braydon and Jessie as they leaned against one another, their feet barely moving while they swayed to the slow tune. Sawyer wasn’t so sure about those two. Or rather, three. Although tonight it was clear Brendon had other things on his mind. Not that Braydon or Jessie seemed to notice, or care, that he was missing. And maybe that was the issue. For what was supposed to be a threesome, lately it seemed there was always at least one missing – and not the same one every time.

He caught sight of Sheriff Endsley moving over to talk to Curtis as Sawyer’s father exited the dance floor, and Sawyer immediately began searching the room. He had no idea whether the man’s daughter would’ve come, but he was certainly one to hope. It didn’t take long to spot her. He merely had to search for the most beautiful woman in the place.

And there she was.

Kennedy Endsley was stunning. That was the case no matter what she was wearing, but as she moved so gracefully across the room in that silky emerald green dress that clung to her lithe body, his mouth literally watered. He downed what was left of the champagne in his glass and set it on an empty table before moving across the room with purpose.

She might not want to have anything to do with him, but at least here she couldn’t make a scene. Or at least he hoped she wouldn’t.

“Hey,” he greeted when he snuck up beside her.

For a brief moment, he thought he saw the hint of a smile, but then it was gone. The woman enjoyed the hell out of messing with him, that was obvious.

“Care to dance?” he asked, not willing to give her a chance to say no.