ELEVEN
Logan
Lili is taking her sweet time in the restroom so I decide to make some rounds. I walk over to Alessa, who is sitting by herself, figuring if she is an important person to Lili then I need to work to make an impression. I may be a fool for thinking Lili and I have a chance to be more, but she’s a beauty and a long shot I’m willing to take.
“Enjoying your night?” I ask Alessa.
“Very much so. You have nice friends and family,” she says.
“Thanks. I’m very grateful for all of them.”
“Is the couple planning on honeymooning? This place already feels like a dream,” she says.
I nod. “They plan on leaving for Maui tomorrow morning for a week. My brother is a . . .” A guy walks up to our table wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shorts. He doesn’t look familiar and he holds his finger up to his mouth for me to be quiet. My brows furrow and Alessa must sense something because she turns around and her eyes widen.
“Nigel. I can’t believe you made it,” she says, standing and throwing her arms around the dude. She kisses him too. I’m guessing he’s the boyfriend.
“I didn’t want to stay away from you over break,” he says. “I used my points.” He shrugs.
They break apart but Alessa keeps her arm wrapped around his waist and he leaves his arm resting on her shoulder.
“You must be Logan,” he says, extending his hand to me.
“I kind of told Nigel about yours and Lili’s meet-cute on the plane.” She grins.
“Nice to meet you,” I say, shaking his hand back. “There was nothing cute about the way I met Lili,” I chuckle.
“Right.” Nigel smiles like he may have a clue about Lili’s no-taking-shit personality.
He looks around the party. “Looks like you have a nice party going here. Congrats to your brother.”
“Thanks, bro,” I say, and his dark eyes widen. “Holy shit,” he practically screams. “Babe, do you know who that is?” He points at Wolfe.
“Nigel.” Alessa smiles with a blush on her cheek and pats his chest.
“No, babe. That’s Wolfe Judd, he’s one of the top players in the NHL.”
Oh shit.
Nigel then looks around the party and starts name dropping. “That’s Declan McAvoy and Ryse McGuire.” He looks like he is in awe.
Alessa’s jaw drops.
“You all are hockey players?” she asks with alarm in her voice.
I nod. “Look, I need you to keep this under wraps. Lili doesn’t know who any of them are and I need you to not tell her. I really like your sister, and I know she’s been through a hard time. If she finds out who I am, then she won’t explore what we can be, and I think we can be something great.”
Alessa’s lower lip quivers. “I think so too. She’s been hurt, but something about you is calling to her and yeah, if she. . .” Alessa pauses, and I see Lili walking back toward us.
“Holy mother of. . .” Lili says with her jaw dropped.
“Look who decided to surprise me,” Alessa says to her sister.
I hope she plans on keeping my secret long enough for Lili to realize I’m a good guy.
“Nigel,” Lili says, and she reaches to give him a hug.
“I hope you don’t mind I’m crashing the last few days of your sister bonding trip. Alessa mentioned you may have met someone,” Nigel says carefully.
“Don’t be silly. You aren’t crashing. I’m happy you could make it,” she replies to him and then they look at each other. Nigel winks at Lili, but Alessa doesn’t see, and I think Lili knew Nigel planned this little surprise.
The night wears on with dancing and a couple speeches from Wolfe and Cole. I also make a toast to the happy couple, but the time I feel the happiest is when Lili is in my arms, dancing with me as she is now.
“My legs are killing me in these heels,” she pouts.
“So kick them off,” I say to her.
“Then you’ll tower over me,” she retorts. She’s tall for a girl but I’m six foot three so there is a considerable height difference between us. I’m also relieved because it seems like Alessa and Nigel have agreed to keep my little secret. Nigel is acting completely normal with the guests and not like the excited fan he was when he walked into the party.
After cutting the wedding cake, Poppy gets on stage and calls all the single girls up to the dance floor so they can catch her bouquet. The only single girls who come up are CC, who is a child, and Alessa and Lili. I step off to the side and wait. Lili looks over to me and I shrug and smile, and she smiles too. When she lets her guard down, she is sweet and warm and I want more of that from her.
Poppy throws the bouquet and Alessa reaches up to catch it, but based on pure exertion and force the bouquet lands smack-dab in front of Lili, and all she has to do is reach out and it’s in her hands. Lili blushes and smells the bouquet. She shrugs and maybe apologizes to her sister, but her sister doesn’t care, and they hug. Then CC asks Lili for the bouquet, and she passes it to her. CC then runs up to Holland excited as ever for winning the prize. The whole situation is very sweet.
When the party is over, I walk Lili to her room to get some things. Alessa said she wanted to show Nigel around the boardwalk at night. We weren’t alone in the elevator so I had to keep my hands to myself, but I’ve been dying to touch her soft skin and kiss her basically everywhere.
When we head back to my room, I use the key card and Lili walks into my room. “Wow, ocean view, nice.”
“My brother surprised me,” I answer her. She drops her bag on a chair in the corner of the room. I feel a little out of my element and then she spots champagne and strawberries on the table.
She cocks a brow. “That’s very romantic of you.”
“I wanted tonight to be special,” I say, looking into her eyes.
“But you know after tonight. . .”
“Lili, you still have one more night, and I hope you’ll spend it in my bed. I know we need to part ways,” I say for clarification. I also want to ease her nerves, and it feels like she needs to hear these words and I’m not wrong.
She nods and it’s as if the tension leaves her body. I leave the balcony sliding door open and so a soft breeze enters the room off the ocean. I walk over to Lili, knowing she expects me to be experienced. According to my brother, women like a man who knows what he’s doing in the bedroom, they also like to cede control.
I run my finger over her bare shoulder and up her neck and watch how goosebumps pebble her skin. “Would you like some champagne?”
She nods and swallows. “You don’t have to be nervous with me, you know.”
“I know. It’s just I haven’t been with anyone since my ex,” she confesses.
I nod and pour each of us a glass of champagne. We are about to clink flutes when I pause. “A toast is in order.”
Lili watches me, maybe like she doesn’t know what to expect. That would make both of us, although I’m trying to behave like I’m sure of myself. I’ve never wanted anyone like I want her.
“To unexpected people we meet on vacation.” I reach to clink flutes.
“I could drink to that. Cheers,” she says, clinking her flute with mine.