“Colleen and my aunt are upstairs. I’ll go check on them and bring them down in a bit.”

“Alright, thank you.”

“Sit back and relax.” Zane smiled before heading upstairs, leaving Hadley and Brady in the room.

Choosing to arrive before most of the guests, Hadley and Brady wanted time to greet the Hayes couple properly. The house was still quiet, with only a handful of visitors mingling in the garden outside, visible through the large windows. Brady let out a shaky breath and sat as straight as a board, his hands gripping his knees.

“You really are on edge, aren’t you?” Hadley grew concerned that Brady might come undone at any moment, so she struck up a conversation to help steady his nerves.

“Let me get a good look at you.”

She gave him a thorough once-over, studying every detail from head to toe. Trying to help Brady seem more mature and steady, Hadley had slicked his hair back. The change was impossible to miss. In an instant, he looked several years older.

A laugh almost escaped her lips as she teased him.

“Colleen looks like a teenager half the time, and with you dressed up like this, the two of you hardly look like a couple anymore.”

“Come on, Hadley…” Brady pulled a dramatic face, lowering his brows in pretend anguish.

“Don’t do this to your poor little brother, not now.” His nerves seemed to spike after her comment.

“My mistake! I’m only joking,” Hadley chuckled.

“You look great, honestly.”

“Of course I do,” Brady answered, sticking his lip out.

“I get it from you.”

Hadley rolled her eyes.

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“You’re impossible…” She leaned closer, studying his outfit.

“Your tie’s a little off.”

She reached over, carefully straightening the knot. Then she shook her head.

“Why’d you pull it so tight, anyway?”

“Are you serious?” Brady blinked, wearing that empty-eyed, goofy grin.

“No wonder I feel like I can’t get a full breath.”

Hadley had no words for him. She poked his forehead with her finger.

“You’re such a goof.”

Worried she might have poked too hard, she gave his forehead a gentle rub.

“Did that hurt?”

“Not at all…” Brady shook his head stiffly. His eyes, so much like Hadley’s, grew even wider. In a quiet voice, he admitted, “I think my nerves have dulled everything. I can’t feel a thing right now.”

His honesty sent Hadley into a fit of laughter.

“Hadley.” Brady stood up.

“I think I need to find the bathroom. Do you need to go, too?”

“I’m good. You go on.” Hadley shook her head, already guessing he just wanted a break to pull himself together.

“I’ll stay here in case Zane returns. Just don’t get lost, okay?”

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