Kerri Carpenter - Bayside's Most Unexpected Bride

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Riley always looked amazing. But tonight? For an editor, a man who dealt with every aspect of a newspaper every single day, he had no words.

At first, he’d thought the green dress was a bit demure for her. Then she’d turned around—the back of it was close to nonexistent. It dipped low, almost to her shapely behind.

Again he chastised himself. He wasn’t supposed to be thinking about her behind. Or her front. He shook his head. Or any side of her. Except the friend side. They’d practically grown up as siblings. No, that wasn’t quite right.

He should stop walking toward her, yet he couldn’t. He noticed she wore dangly earrings that sparkled so brightly they practically lit up the whole tent on their own. Very Riley-esque. Because when he thought about her, he thought about a bright light.

When he reached her, she smiled, but otherwise stayed silent. He turned to Elle and Carissa, who were both wearing the oddest expressions. They exchanged mysterious looks with one another.

“Congrats again, Elle,” he offered. “I’m thrilled for you and Cam.”

“Thanks, Sawyer. Have you said hi to Cam yet?”

“Uh, no, I just got here.”

“And came right over to us,” Carissa said. Then she exchanged a second look with Elle, who bit down on her lip like she was trying to keep from laughing.

Women were enigmatic to him sometimes.

“Well, I really must find my fiancé,” Elle said.

Carissa jumped slightly. “Yes, and I need to find Jasper and check with my assistant. Save the Day catered tonight’s soiree, so I expect you all to make copious yummy noises throughout the party.”

Sawyer laughed as Elle and Carissa said their goodbyes and disappeared into the crowd. He turned to Riley.

“Hey,” he said lamely.

“Hey you,” she replied. “You look...” She trailed off and tilted her head. Then she reached forward and fiddled with his tie. “There. It was crooked.”

“Thanks.” The word lingered on his lips the same way her hand lingered on his chest. He could smell her perfume. He didn’t know what it was, but it smelled amazing, like flowers dipped in more flowers.

“Quite the dress, Ri,” he said when she finally took a step back. “You should consider yourself lucky that your dad is out of town or he would have thrown his coat over you and hauled you out of here.”

She waved him away. “Oh, please. It’s not that bad.”

To prove her point, she did a little spin. His mouth went dry at seeing all that silky skin up close. Not to mention he couldn’t help but realize she couldn’t wear a bra. Suddenly his tie felt incredibly restrictive.

He tried to make light of the situation. “If I remember correctly, you always did give your parents a run for their money with your various fashion choices.”

Again she waved her hand. “Experimenting with outfits and accessories is part of finding yourself.”

“And I imagine all those times you came home late from dates was also some sort of experimenting? Now that I think about it, you were a bit of a wild child, Riley Hudson.”

“Hardly. I think I was a fairly normal teenager. And anyway, easy for you to say. You’ve always been Mr. Dependable, son of the year.”

He didn’t have to see himself in a mirror to know his face fell. “Not always, Ri.”

Sawyer really didn’t know why he was goading her. He’d been called into the principal’s office more than he should ever admit. Wasn’t his fault he’d had a penchant for pranks.

Of course, that was all child’s play compared to his antics after he’d graduated from college. He’d been in love and like many young people in love, he’d made Rachel his whole life.

Unfortunately, it had taken him a couple years to realize that Rachel wasn’t the right fit. In fact, some might call them polar opposites.

But he’d been besotted with her so he’d moved away from home. Shunned Bayside, if he was being honest, which he hated being because then he had to admit that he’d been selfish.

He’d turned his back on his family, on his town and on the Bugle.

“How long are you going to beat yourself up for that?” Riley asked gently, kindly.

Sawyer shrugged. He’d put his parents through hell. Just another reason why the Bugle couldn’t fail now. He would make sure of it.

Riley stepped closer. “You know, everyone has at least one bad relationship under their belt.”

Something crossed her face. He wanted to jump on it and ask her what caused those shadows to appear, but she beat him to it.

“Heck, most people have multiple crappy relationships. You and Rachel lived in DC for a hot minute. And you came to your senses and moved back.”

“I don’t want to talk about Rachel.”

“That’s fine. What do you want to talk about?”

“How about you?”

She rolled her eyes.

“You look beautiful tonight.”

He didn’t know why he’d said that. It just slipped out. Her eyes widened in surprise. Had he never told her how gorgeous she was before? Riley was an insanely appealing woman who lit up any room she entered. Somehow she had the ability to be both the girl next door and the fantasy.

He didn’t know when she’d reached that status. She’d been a cute kid. Freckles and pigtails and skinned knees. She’d been kind of an annoying preteen, always following him around at family functions. Maybe the change had occurred during high school, or college, when he was away too often to take note? Who the hell knew.

Right now, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“Oh,” she said to his comment. She scrunched up her nose, something he often saw her do at work.

Sawyer never danced at these events. Ever. So he was more shocked than anyone when he blurted out, “Dance with me.”

Riley couldn’t contain her surprise at the statement, either. Her green eyes widened. “Are you serious? You can’t dance.”

“I can.” He reached for her hand. Her skin was so soft, so smooth. Like silk. “I just choose not to most of the time.” He led her to the dance floor.

“What makes tonight the exception?” she asked, her voice husky.

You. But he couldn’t say that. Shouldn’t say that. This was Riley, after all. Riley Hudson. Lifelong friend. Close family acquaintance. Employee. Gorgeous redhead who managed to sneak into his thoughts more than he’d like to admit.

“Tonight is a celebration,” he said instead. He could tell she had another question, so he drew her to him, pressing one hand to her back and the other wrapped around her tiny, delicate hand.

And then all questions stopped. In fact, all talking ceased. While he was sure there was music playing, he didn’t seem to hear it. Because being this close to Riley, inhaling her sweet perfume, taking in her tempting red lips, took over all his senses. It was like he didn’t have room to notice anything else.

It should have been weird. Or awkward, at least. But for the first time, he wasn’t thinking of her as his oldest friend or the kid he’d grown up with. She was an adult now and his body was taking notice.

He drew her closer. Her body felt good up against his. His hand traveled over the exposed skin of her back. He could feel her breath tickling his neck as she moved closer to him.

He had no idea how long they danced, Riley in his arms as they swayed to a song. Two songs? More than two songs?

Sawyer would have remained just like that forever but Jasper Dumont appeared at his side.

“Sorry to interrupt, guys.”

Riley jumped back, a deer-in-headlights expression on her face. She gave Sawyer a long once-over before mumbling something and quickly making her way off the dance floor.

“Riley, wait,” he called. Shoot. What had just happened? Seriously, what the hell had just freaking happened between them?