He squeezed her hand, then moved to stand just behind her while she accepted hugs from her sister and her parents and glowing compliments from the others there.
The approval was nice, of course, but it quickly became overwhelming. Somehow Bryan knew the exact moment when it became too much for her. He moved to her side and slipped an arm around her. “You must be thirsty after singing, darling. Would you like another glass of champagne?”
She gave him a grateful nod. “Yes, I would. I’ll go with you to get it.”
As always, the crowd parted to allow him through.
“You really do come in handy occasionally,” Grace told him as she accepted a glass from him.
He lifted his own in a mock toast. “Just keep that in mind, okay?”
She sipped the champagne rather than attempting to answer him.
“We haven’t danced yet,” he reminded her as the band began to play again.
She was aware of that. She’d rather hoped to avoid it, even though she’d known the chances of doing so were slim. People would expect to see her dancing with Bryan. And they did dance well together. The problem was, she enjoyed it entirely too much.
She downed several more swallows of champagne before Bryan gently removed the glass from her hand and set it aside. “I think you’ve had enough of this for now. Come dance with me, Grace.”
She just hated it when he spoke in that particular tone. That low, sexy, intimate growl that made her knees go weak and her stomach all quivery. Really hated it, she thought as she moved into his arms.
You are such a liar, Grace.
Chapter Thirteen
“Chloe looked so beautiful tonight.” Grace sniffled a little as she made the pronouncement, her voice muffled by the two bouquets she held to her face.
“She was spectacular. Watch your skirt.”
Obligingly lifting her long lavender skirt, she stepped out of the elevator. “That was so sweet when Donovan kissed her just before he helped her into the car while everyone threw birdseed at them.”
“I’m surprised they weren’t attacked by a flock of hungry sparrows. Where’s your key?”
“Hmm? Oh, it’s in my purse. Somewhere. I can’t believe my sister is married. Chloe Chance—that sounds a little strange, doesn’t it?”
He dug into the tiny beaded bag she had carried to the wedding. “So she is taking Donovan’s name?”
“Oh, sure. Chloe’s very traditional about things like that. Wasn’t she beautiful?”
Chuckling a little, he unlocked her door and opened it for her. “Almost as beautiful as her sister.”
“Mmm. She threw the bouquet right at me, you know. I had to catch it or get clobbered by it. Really made Angie mad—she was hoping to catch it.”
Ushering her inside, Bryan closed the door behind them. “Why don’t you sit down while I make some coffee?”
“I’ve got to get out of these shoes.”
Taking the bouquets, he moved toward the kitchen. “I’ll put these in the refrigerator so they’ll stay fresh. You take off your shoes and get comfortable.”
“Thank you,” she said very politely, sinking onto her couch.
His mouth twisting, he answered gravely, “You’re welcome.”
After stashing the flowers, he rummaged for coffee and filters. It was a bit late for coffee, but Grace had sipped quite a bit of champagne during the reception. He understood what had made her do so. She’d been uncomfortable in her role as maid of honor, in addition to the continued part as his lover. And it had been an emotional day for her.
Chloe and Donovan weren’t the only ones whose lives had been changed by their wedding, he mused. Grace had been accustomed to doing things with her twin, having Chloe as her best friend as well as her sister. Now they didn’t even share the same last name. While their feelings for each other hadn’t changed, their relationship would never be quite the same. Bryan had seen the wistfulness in Grace’s expression when she’d watched Donovan’s car drive away from the reception.
He’d been aware of similar feelings, himself. Donovan had been his best friend since high school. They’d been through a lot together, raised some hell together, built Bryan Falcon Enterprises together. Bryan had been accustomed to having Donovan available to him at a moment’s notice. Having Donovan’s first loyalty be to him. That, too, had changed tonight.