Team Bride Read Online Free Page B

now. But Lindsey was right. He couldn’t be that rotten a guy and still be Nick’s best friend and the man who led Nick to Jesus. Could he?
    “Ready?” he mouthed.
    For what? A date? No. It didn’t matter if she’d just promised Lindsey. She needed time to get used to the idea. Like a year or two.
    Corbin pushed back his chair and approached the mike.
    Oh. Ready for speeches and toasts. Yeah, as ready as she was going to get. If Corbin ever got done telling story after story about his and Nick’s days in Bible school together. The friends and family surrounding two dozen round tables lapped it all up, laughing in all the right places. Pretty much nonstop.
    He was a hard act to follow. Well, she wouldn’t even try. She got through her sentimental speech about Lindsey and thanked Nick for coming into her best friend’s life. For the second time. But she didn’t talk about the jerk Nick had been in high school. Corbin would likely have found a way to spin that into a funny story. Too bad. Sarah proposed a toast and retreated to her seat.
    Several other friends came up to the mike and shared stories. Finally the emcee decided it was time for the cake to be cut, and Sarah and the wedding party helped pass around slices to the guests.
    Corbin sidled up beside her with a loaded tray. “How’s it going?”
    “Fine.” She turned to the next table with a plate of cake in hand.  
    Soon the evening would be over, and she’d be back in her cozy apartment across the river curled up in her bathrobe with a mug of tea and a good book. Maybe she’d set aside the romance novel for now and start a whodunit. It might be easier on her nerves.
    She held the comforting vision in mind as she smiled, nodded, and avoided Corbin.
    A few minutes later, all the single women were invited to gather for the bouquet toss. Sarah slinked to the back of the room until Lindsey caught her eye and flicked her chin toward the group. Oh, man. Whatever. She’d stand behind someone who was eager to catch it. Not a problem.
    “Me!” yelled Lindsey’s sister. “Throw it here!”
    Like Madison. She’d be perfect. Except when the bouquet flew, someone’s elbow caught Madison’s side and the flowers thunked Sarah in the chest. Her hands automatically grabbed to prevent them from falling.
    Great. Sarah had caught the bouquet.
    “Yay, Sarah!” yelled Lindsey. “Your wedding will be next! Let me know the date and time, and don’t forget to ask me to be your maid — um, matron — of honor.”
    Sarah narrowed her eyes as a few other people cheered and Madison glowered. But could Lindsey really have set this up?
    Behind the bride, Nick and the groomsmen grinned. Corbin sent her a thumbs-up. Sarah buried her nose in the fragrant flowers. She might have no desire to get married any time soon, but that wouldn’t stop her from enjoying the gerbera daisies and white mums as long as they lasted.
    The tide turned a few minutes later as Nick gallantly seated Lindsey on a chair while the unmarried men gathered behind him. Nick grinned at his bride as he slid her dress up over her knee and reached underneath to remove the garter. He tossed it over his shoulder without looking then bent to kiss Lindsey.
    With growing horror, Sarah watched the blue-trimmed garter fly end over end and land directly in Corbin’s outstretched hand. The guys cheered. More than one pair of eyes swung over to her.
    If only the floor would open up and swallow her on the spot. Instead, Corbin strolled over to her, waving the garter over his head like a lasso. He tucked an arm around her while clapping intensified.
    “Looks like we’re destined to be together, fair lady,” he whispered into her hair. “What do you say we start with a first date tomorrow?”
    Lindsey’s hopeful expression caught Sarah’s gaze.
    She’d promised her stupid best friend. “Not tomorrow. I need some recuperation time,” she murmured.
    “Friday then? I’ll get your phone number before we leave