Don't Break My Heart (Return to Redemption, Book 6) Read Online Free PDF Page B

out.
“I normally try to give the leads to seniors or, at the very least, juniors,
but I don’t have any upper class girls this year who are capable of performing
the part half as well as Haley could.”
    “That’s nice to hear. I’ll encourage her to try out for
Maria’s role. Who’s playing Tony?”
    “I’m hoping Ryan Flynn will take the part. Have you heard
that boy sing?”
    “I have. He’s spectacular. His band is booked nearly every
weekend. I’m just wondering how Dani will react when her boyfriend gazes into
her best friend’s eyes and kisses her in the play.”
    Ben winced. “Oooh, that could get ugly. Been there.”
    Everyone at the table glanced uneasily around the room. The
waiter broke the awkward silence, asking for their drink orders.
    Trisha quietly requested a glass of orange juice with club
soda and sat back and admired the tables. Bright red napkins set against crisp
white tablecloths surrounded the centerpieces of red and white roses, accented
by sprigs of evergreens and holly. Each held a dozen flickering tapers and sat
on tall, slender pedestals, allowing the guests to see each other while they
chatted.
    She ran her finger along the gold rim on her holly-patterned
plate and smiled over at her dinner partner. “The wedding is beautiful, Ben.
You’re extremely generous to do all of this.”
    “You haven’t seen anything, yet,” Frankie told her. “See the
mountain of gifts under the four Christmas trees? They’re not just decorative.”
    Trisha did a double take. “There are actual presents in
those boxes?”
    “Yup. For all of the guests.”
    She turned and stared at Ben. “Really?”
    He shrugged. “I’m grateful for my good fortune, so I like
sharing what I have. Isn’t giving to others what the holiday spirit is about?”
    “Yes, but I’d say you’ve given plenty just by providing
everyone with this wonderful vacation.”
    “You’ll have to excuse, BJ,” Tyler told her. “He doesn’t
know how to do anything in half measures.”
    While they waited for their cocktails, a waiter filled each
of the gleaming champagne flutes on the table with Cristal. The background
music suddenly stopped and the most genuine looking Santa Claus she’d every
seen stepped up to the microphone. “Ho-ho-ho, everyone. I hope you’re all
having a Merry Christmas Eve.” The entire crowd applauded. “I’m happy to be
your emcee tonight while we celebrate with Luke and Sabrina.”
    “Great,” Tyler snorted. “Noah and Mandy are over at the
kiddy table wondering how Santa is gonna deliver everyone’s presents tonight if
he’s here.”
    “They know it’s Thomas,” Ben said, buttering one of the hot
dinner rolls the waiter had placed on the table. “I told them he’s pretending
to be Santa because the real one is too busy to be here.”
    Trisha leaned toward Ben and whispered, “Who’s Thomas?”
    “He’s my man Friday. He grew the beard and bleached it white
just for this occasion.” Ben took a bite of the roll and laid it on his bread
and butter plate.
    “And now, I’m pleased to introduce your host and the best man,
BJ Elliott,” Santa said.
    As everyone applauded, Ben folded his napkin and tossed it
beside his place setting as he rose. “If you’ll excuse me. I have the last of
my best man duties to perform.” He picked up his champagne and joined Santa on
the dais. “Thank you, St. Nick.”
    He took the microphone, stepped off the stage, and walked
over to the bride and groom’s romantic table for two. “As most of you know, up
until a month ago, I was supposed to be sitting in Luke’s seat tonight, and he
was supposed to be standing here toasting my happiness with Sabrina.”
    He smiled down at the bride and cupped her chin in his hand.
“I know a lot of you are feeling sorry for me this evening, but you shouldn’t.
Seeing two of my best friends so in love and happy together makes this one of
the most wonderful nights of my life.” He lifted his champagne.