“Yup, they’re out.”

“Okay, so I guess they can just pull the empty wagon. Isn’t like we can train them to throw flowers and hold rings anyway.”

“This is true. They’re basically here for the aww factor,” he reminded her, and she laughed.

“Um, I’m the aww factor.”

“No, you’re the wow factor,” he said and she smiled.

“Thanks, Markus. How you holding up?”

“I’m vertical, which is always a good sign.”

“This is true,” she agreed, nodding before squeezing his arm. “Thanks for keeping the kids. I think we’re getting started.”

“Cool. I’ll be here.”

“Thanks,” she gushed before walking off toward where the whole family was gathering. Glancing around, he went back to looking for Mekena, but he didn’t see her. Pulling his brows together, he was confused…until he heard her voice.

“Wow, I think you missed your calling as a babysitter.”

Looking to the side, he found her standing next to him. Her arms were in front of her, holding the camera with her legs crossed, her body very rigid and giving off vibes indicating she wasn’t sure she should be talking to him.

But she was.

Smiling, he nodded. “Yeah, these two love me.”

“I can tell, great multitasking.”

“Thanks,” he said with a grin as he looked down at Ashlyn and then back to Mekena. A silence fell between them as they held each other’s gaze. “Are you okay?”

She shrugged. “Yeah, I guess.”

“Good.”

“Are you?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I got what I needed from her.”

She nodded. “I’m sorry she was so horrible.”

“Isn’t your fault.”

Biting into her lips, she looked down at the floor as he watched the side of her face. She was so pretty, her cheeks a soft rosy color while her lips were pink and thick. So very kissable. With a lump in his throat, he asked, “Are we still going to meet up after this?”

Looking up at him, she nodded. “If you want to.”

“I do.”

“Are you sure?”

He eyed her. “Of course I am.”

She looked away, inhaling deeply. “I thought maybe you wouldn’t.”

“You’re not Skylar, Mekena.”

“I know, but she’s my sister.”

“But you aren’t her, and in no way, shape, or form is this your fault. If anything, you’re a victim too.”

Her eyes started to water, and everything inside of him went cold. “I’m sorry that it happened.”

“Me too.”

“I should have given you a chance to explain.”

“I wouldn’t have because I didn’t know what happened. It took months for me to talk about it.”

“I still should have given you a chance.”

“I didn’t ask for one,” he said simply.

“Yeah—”

“I should have. But I am now,” he said, and she looked up, surprised.

“You are?”

“I am,” he said, his fingers coming to lace with hers, but then her aunt called her.

“Mekena, ready?”

Her free hand went up to her camera as she turned, nodding her head. “Yeah, coming.” Looking back to Markus, she shrugged. “I’m sorry, can we finish this later?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Good, okay, so—”

“I’ll walk back with you, and we’ll talk.”

“Awesome, okay, I’m gonna go.”

“Okay, see you in a bit,” he said, and she smiled as she nodded. He watched as she went to where her aunt and Grace stood, going into work mode. She looked so in her element, and he enjoyed seeing that.

Seeing her.

“You are, by far, the most patient man I know.”

Baylor grimaced as she took Dawson from Markus’s outstretched hands. He smiled as Dawson looked at him innocently. He knew the little guy didn’t mean to puke all over him and he wasn’t upset, but he was trying to figure out a way to get to the house and shower before he had to talk to Mekena. He highly doubted that baby puke would be an aphrodisiac. Maybe it would be? Huh.

He wasn’t going to try, though.

As Baylor cuddled Dawson against her, Markus waved her off. “It’s no big deal. He’s a baby.”

She smiled shyly. “Yes, but Ashlyn pooped on you too.”

He grinned as he shrugged, trying not to laugh. It was a tough rehearsal for Dawson, Ashlyn, and Markus. Puke and poop were big-time stars during the hour of watching the Sinclairs and Grace Justice try to put together a wedding. He wasn’t sure what was funnier, Jace glaring as Jordie walked with Avery, or Ashlyn farting and then realizing she had just shit all over him. It was a toss-up, but then Dawson decided to puke down the front of his shirt, and he figured he was now a substitute for a baby rag. “I volunteered.”

“Still, we’re really sorry,” Avery said, holding Ashlyn close as she rocked her back and forth. “I understand if you don’t want to watch her ever again.”

“Nonsense,” he said, laughing as he tucked his hands into his pockets and looked around. He spotted Mekena at the front of the altar, taking pictures of random things. He wasn’t sure if she was done, but maybe he could slip away. “How much longer until y’all are done?”

“We’re done, but Lucy and Benji have some pre-wedding pictures they’re having done with Angie.”

“So Mekena isn’t done?”

Avery smiled. “Nope, she’s got a bit.”

“Can you pass a message for me?”

“Sure.”

“Let her know that I went back to the cabin to shower and clean up?”

“Yeah, of course. I’ll tell Jace to tell her since I’m taking Ashlyn to bed.”

“Cool, thanks,” he said, kissing her cheek and then Baylor’s, before rubbing Dawson’s head. “I’ll see you guys in the morning.”

Before he could get far, though, Baylor smiled. “Thanks again.”

“Anytime. I mean that.”

Avery smiled. “Thanks.”

“Also, good luck,” Baylor added.