I focused on Nick and Mindy’s vows. The clear devotion and laughter in their faces clutched at my heart. Even Chase’s eyes got misty during the pledges they’d written themselves.
I was thrilled to hug and congratulate the newly married couple when they came down the aisle.
“You did good, little brother,” I whispered.
“Thanks, sis,” he whispered back as he squeezed me tight. Worth it. It was worth wrangling backup in the form of Chase and facing my relatives to see Nick this happy.
Things didn’t get hairy with the rest of my family until the reception. Nick and Mindy hadn’t assigned seating, so we were able to grab spots with my younger sister and parents instead of with other extended family.
“Where are the kids tonight?” I asked Vanessa.
“Are you kidding me? I know Nick is their favorite uncle, but you couldn’t pay me to bring two kids under six to a wedding. We got James’ parents to watch them for us so we could have a date night.”
I couldn’t see what was happening under the table, but judging from James’ abrupt start, Vanessa was really enjoying time away from the kids.
I shifted my attention to my parents, who were chatting quietly. Had they had time to disseminate their knowledge of me “dating” Chase to others before the ceremony even started? Once Vanessa heard, I was expecting a full interrogation. She’d know it was utter bullshit. I dodged her meaningful glances when conversation turned to what I’d been up to lately and kept my responses vague.
After dinner, we mingled with other family, and I didn’t escape fast enough when Uncle Ted approached us with my Aunt Kelly. My uncle was medium height with a rotund build and a ruddy complexion offset by graying hair. My aunt had the comfortable padding of later middle age and wore a dress with a wild floral pattern. The pair looked cute, harmless, at least until they opened their mouths.
“There you are, dear,” my aunt exclaimed when they caught up to us.
Chase put an arm around my shoulders, correctly reading my stiff body language as a plea for support. I smiled weakly. “Hi, Aunt Kelly. How are you?”
“Oh, you know. The usual. Your uncle and I have just completed our annual trip to Maui, which was fabulous. Retired life agrees with us.” She smiled and opened her mouth to continue, but Ted broke in, clearly tired of hearing his wife talk about their trip, for what I assumed was the umpteenth time.
“What about you, Tamra? Are you still dinking around with nursing? When are you going to become a real doctor?” His false joviality made my back stiffen. Sidling up to me with a smile and a stiletto was his style. Good old Uncle Ted. Flying his asshole flag proudly. I didn’t know why he thought he could criticize my career choice. He’d retired from pharmaceutical sales, but some of his golfing buddies were retired doctors. He’d been sipping on their superiority.
Chase squeezed my shoulder but kept silent. In the name of keeping the peace, I figured “fuck off” wasn’t going to cut it as a response, so I took a deep breath instead. “I love my career, and I’m doing exactly what I was meant to do.”
Uncle Ted was too stubborn to let the subject go, and my aunt wasn’t fast enough at changing topics. She’d opened her mouth but he barreled on. “Well, I still think you’re wasting yourself.”
I was debating the wisdom of responding at all when Chase piped up, “I think Tamra is fabulous just as she is. It’s not everyone who has the stomach to handle blood and body fluids and look at vaginas every day. Will you please excuse us? We need to be somewhere else now.”
My uncle’s face blanched at Chase’s crude phrasing, and my aunt fanned herself gently, but neither said anything as Chase tugged me with the arm around my shoulders to make our way across the room in the other direction. I chuckled softly and shook my head. Raw, but effective. I leaned into Chase, letting our bodies brush. His support made my heart feel full. I’d grown used to going it alone, and having him with me, fighting for me, cast the evening in a new light. He’d defended me with such passion to my uncle. Did it hint at deeper feelings? My pulse raced at the possibility.
Chase was oddly silent the rest of the evening unless asked a direct question. Having Chase present was the shield I’d hoped for. Only one brazen great aunt asked if she’d get to dance at my wedding before she died. The rest of the questions were less invasive. I kept sneaking glances at him to make sure he was all right. I finally nudged him with my shoulder as we stood watching the bride and groom dancing. “I appreciate you coming today. Having someone in my corner has made a big difference. You’ve been really quiet. Is everything okay?”
His eyes connected with mine. “Yes, sorry about that. I was trying to rock my mysterious Bond persona. And avoid making any more major verbal errors.”
“Verbal errors?” I asked with raised brows.
He nodded sheepishly. “Yes, like giving a specific timeframe to our relationship with your folks. Rookie mistake. I should know better; I write this for a living.”
I tilted my head to the side, considering his past books. “I can think of two of your books that contain the fake dating trope. I loved your holiday novella when Bella invites Nate to her office party, not realizing he’s the boss’s son. Is it your favorite setup?”
He nodded. “Guilty. There’s a reason it was easy to convince me to come tonight. I feel like I’m living one of my books right now.”
Tingles spread through my body. Did that mean he saw me as leading lady material?
