Latte Darling: Book Two of The Darling Series

Grabbing a second drink, I follow the crowd to the grassy area on the other side of the building.

I position myself in the back as people gather, all of us facing a large tree where a woman about my age stands with a mic under the canopy of leaves.

Tony and I parted ways a few minutes ago and I spot him now, slapping another tall dark-haired man – who must be his brother – on the back. The other man strides towards the woman under the tree, giving her a hug, and it’s not hard to deduce that this must be Beckett, the groom.

He’s dressed in a black suit, minus the tie, and I’m starting to think this might be the best wedding I’ve ever been to. Not that I’ve been to a ton, but the chill vibe, the drinks during the ceremony, the casual gathering of bodies to witness. It’s comfortable, even as an outsider.

The crowd shifts, creating an aisle from the waiting groom to the building, and my heart shifts behind my ribs. Because standing there, holding the door open for a woman in white, is Maddie. My Maddie. And she looks fucking divine.

She lets the door fall closed, turning all the way forward, and my brain corrects itself. She doesn’t look heavenly. She looks like the Devil incarnate. Swathed in a deep red, her long black hair dances in the soft breeze, and I can’t decide if I want to stare at her glossy lips, dyed to match the dress, or her skin. All that gloriously soft skin I’m dying to reach out and touch.

Maddie takes a step towards me and my eyes drop down to the flash of pale flesh at her thigh.

Each step closer is a tease. And I have to remind myself that we aren’t alone, because I want to do bad, bad things to her in that dress.

And I want to do them now.

“You’re staring.”

I blink at Maddie’s whispered words and my lungs fill on a much-needed inhale.

“Yeah, Baby Doll,” I whisper back, taking my time dragging my eyes up to her face, “I’m staring.”

She reaches out like she might playfully smack my chest, but she ends up pressing her palm into me. Over my heart. And I wonder if she can feel it pounding.

Her lips part, but whatever she was about to say is interrupted by the woman standing with the couple.

I catch something about aunt, and an honor, but I tune out the rest. I’m here for Maddie. To be with Maddie. And when she presses her side to mine, I place my arm across her shoulders and pull her into my body.

In the shade, with the wind, it’s not too hot. And the warmth of Maddie’s body seeps perfectly into mine.

My eyes stay trained on Maddie as the couple exchange their own vows, and I don’t miss when she dabs at her eyes.

I know they’re happy tears, but I still hold her tighter against my body.

If I’d been thinking, I would’ve brought tissues for her. I know enough about Maddie to know that she feels things with her whole being. So of course watching her best friend get married is going to be emotional for her.

I shouldn’t have worried though, because she produces her own.

Her head tips up to look at me. “Do you mind?” her voice stays low.

I’m not sure what she’s asking me, but before I have time to wonder she takes the drink from my hand and swallows it down.

Seeing the grin on my face when she hands it back, she shrugs then goes back to resting her head on my chest.