by Leigh James
“Cooties are the least of my worries.”
She pointed at a nearby bench. “Tell me everything.”
I sighed as I sat down. “My mother has been spying on Bob. She tapped his phone.”
Josie’s brow furrowed. “And you’re surprised by this?”
“Not exactly. But she found out that his ex-girlfriend called him today…over twenty times. She was supposed to get married this afternoon.”
“Supposed to?”
I took back the wine. “Apparently, she didn’t go through with it.”
“Oh shit. So your mother thinks, what, that Bob is going to go back to her and break your heart?”
“I don’t know what she thinks.” I looked up at the sky, watching the stars start to come out. “Since when has she ever cared about my feelings?”
Josie frowned. “Since…I don’t remember.”
We blinked at each other. “Wait. Do you think she actually cares about my feelings?”
“I dunno.” Josie looked stymied. “I mean, I hope she does, but…caring isn’t really the word that comes to mind when I think of Aileen. Cougar, yes. Caring, not so much.”
I snorted. “Me too. But she’s really doing her due diligence on Bob, after she got hitting on him out of her system.”
“Well, you know, he is the first guy you’ve brought home since high school. Speaking of, where’s your cousin and Dean Smith?”
“They’re in there somewhere.” I waved toward the tent. I’d glimpsed the happy couple earlier, chatting with my Aunt Evie and Claire. Jennifer looked the same. So did Dean, except his hair line had receded a bit. “I’ll have to go and say hi eventually.”
“Back to your mother. She hasn’t seen you with a man for a long time. Maybe with all the wedding business this weekend, she’s worried that you’re serious about Bob.”
“But why worried? Shouldn’t she be happy?”
“Yes, she should.” She looked around, making sure no one could hear us. “I mean, except for the fact that he’s your pretend date.”
“I know.” I shook my head. “I’ve been getting pretty wrapped up in him, though.”
Josie spread the skirt of her gown out, smoothing it. “That’s not a bad thing.”
“No, it’s not. Except for the fact that his ex-girlfriend didn’t get married today and won’t stop calling him.”
She winced. “There’s that. Have you talked to him about it?”
“A little.” I drank more wine. “My father is with him at the moment.”
“Maybe they’re just talking about tennis.”
I handed her the bottle. “Yeah, right.”
“Okay, but let me ask you this: why do you seem sad?”
“I don’t know.” It was a good question, a fair one. “Claire said something to me that already had me rattled. She said that not only did she worry about the ex, but that Bob and I don’t really have that much in common. She said that when I finally do get out there, I should make sure it’s with the right guy because otherwise, I’m going to get burned.”
“And what do you think about that?” Josie really should’ve been a psychologist. She had a knack for helping me find the right answers without ever saying something that would sway my opinion or hurt my feelings.
“I think… I think she’s right, that I’m ready for a real relationship,” I said. “I asked Bob out because he was literally the only nice, single, decent-looking straight man I could rope into coming with me this weekend. But that doesn’t mean he’s the only nice guy left on the planet. I could meet someone else, someone who has a career like mine, who doesn’t have any baggage—like an ex who jilted her husband because she’s still in love with Bob.”
Josie tilted her head. “Of course you can meet someone else. That doesn’t mean you have to, not if Bob’s the one you want.”
“I think I probably should get out more.” I laughed hoarsely. “I do like him, though. A lot. But do you know how I felt when my mother told me his ex-girlfriend didn’t get married today?”
“How?”
“Sick.” I leaned forward, feeling it again. “Jealous. Scared. You only feel that way when you have something to worry about, right?”
“Well, I mean, maybe. But it’s sort of jarring news.”
“Yeah, I know.” I shrugged. “But since this wasn’t a real date anyway, I should probably get out while the getting’s good.”
Josie smiled at me. “Or you could give him a chance.”
“Yeah.” She handed the wine back to me and I clutched the bottle. “There’s always that.” The problem was, I had to be brave for that. Or even better, fearless.
“Have some more wine.” Josie patted my shoulder. “No matter what happens, I’ll always be your partner in wine.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now stop moping, girlfriend!” She wagged her finger at me until I laughed. “Your mother’s going to be too busy for the rest of the night to bother you, and you have a hot guy in there, waiting for you—no matter what you decide to do with him. And you have me and Claire, and Sienna’s not even being that big of a bitch tonight. So come on.” She hopped up and held out her arm for me. “Mope rhymes with nope. Happy rhymes with, with—aha!” She started to snap. “Snappy!”
“I don’t know if there’s enough wine for your rhymes.”
“Aw, of course there is. It’s an open bar.” Josie pulled me back into the tent, where the band had started playing. “C’mon, before I start rhyming again!”
Chapter Seventeen
BOB
“What I’m saying is, son, my crazy wife went and had Pryce call this lady friend of yours who was blowing up your phone. She confirmed it to him: she did not get married today. Repeat—”
I waved Art off. “I heard you the first time.”
“Well?” Maddy’s father watched me carefully. “What do you have to say about it?”
“I don’t… I don’t have anything to say about it, sir. And to be honest, I think it’s really inappropriate that you’re asking me like this. I’m here tonight with your daughter. This is your family celebration, a happy occasion. Why are you doing this?”
“Three reasons.” He grabbed two bourbons from a passing server and handed me one. “One, my wife told me to. You’ve met her, right? So that’s pretty self-explanatory. Two, I thought you liked my daughter. If I’m wrong about that, I need to know. And three”—he took a sip of his bourbon—“I wanted to see what your poker face looks like. Turns out, it’s pretty good. I can only imagine what you were thinking during tennis yesterday.”
“Let’s just stick to what’s important—Maddy. Of course I like her.”
Art shrewdly studied my face. “But how do you feel about your ex?”
I paused for a beat, trying to gather my thoughts. “I don’t… I don’t know, sir.”
“That’s what I thought.” Art patted my back and sauntered off. “I’ll talk to you later.”
Just then, Tyler walked by. As usual, he was followed by his friends, who appeared to have all spiked their bangs together.
“Hey, champ.” He winked at me then put his hand over his stomach. “Got your land legs back?” Laughing, he pretended to throw up. Then he gave me a thumbs-up and continued on his merry way.
I drained my bourbon, watching his back. My night was officially going downhill.
“Hey.” Maddy headed toward me. “Everything okay?”
“Great. You?”
“Yeah.” She smoothed the hair back from her face. “Great.”
“Want to get a drink then dance?”
“Yes.” She sounded relieved. “Let’s just stay away from everyone.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I caught a glimpse of Mrs. Delaney holding court with some of her similarly shellacked cronies. Tyler was across the room, doing shots with his friends. There was a man, tall and handsome, staring at Madison. “Is that Dean Smith?”
She looked around, distracted. She waved when she saw the g
uy I was referring to. “Yeah, that’s him.”
“He keeps staring at you.”
She shrugged. Was she completely unaware of how beautiful she was? “Whatever. He should go stare at his wife.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was probably Katie again. Christ.
“Bourbon?” Maddy asked.
“Definitely.”
She grabbed a water for herself, then we headed to a peaceful corner. We sipped our drinks quietly, gathering our thoughts and watching couples spill out onto the dance floor.
“How come you switched to water?”
She smiled sheepishly. “I wouldn’t say switched as much as resorted to. I just had more wine with Josie.”
My hand tightened around my bourbon. “Your mother told you about Katie, I guess?”
Her shoulders slumped. “It’s totally weird that my mother is knee-deep in your business, but yes, she told me. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I have no idea what Katie’s doing or why she’s doing it. I just know that it has nothing to do with me.”
“Bob.” Madison frowned. “I’m pretty sure it has everything to do with you. She hasn’t stopped calling.”
“Right. But it doesn’t matter. I’m not interested in anything to do with her. The past is in the past and all.” I finished my drink. “Do you want to dance?”
“I’d love to.”
I grabbed her hand and pulled her to the dance floor. But unlike earlier in the day, when being close to Maddy had felt natural, unease rolled off both of us in waves. She was stiff beneath my touch as we swayed in time to the music. Gone was the happy, optimistic way I’d felt earlier.
I put my cheek against her hair. “I’m sorry this happened today. I was really looking forward to tonight.”
She nodded. “Me too.”
Her scent wafted over me, expensive shampoo and something citrusy, a smell that could only ever be Maddy. “I meant what I said, you know.” I pulled back to look at her. “I don’t care about Katie anymore.”
She blew out a shaky breath. “I appreciate you saying that.”
“But?”
“It’s just a lot. Probably the same way that my mother is a lot.” She put her head against my chest. “Let’s just dance, okay?”
“Okay.” Fake date or not, a lot or not, I couldn’t help it—I kissed the top of her head.
Another country raised their red flags.
No matter what else had happened, it was impossible to have a bad time at Sienna and Tim’s incredible wedding. Maddy and I eventually stopped sulking and started doing shots with everyone and dancing instead.
At three a.m., the drummer slumped over. The rest of the band members started packing up. The bride and groom were long gone, Claire and Mia were slow dancing by themselves near the bar, and Josie had disappeared. Tyler and his friends finally left, as had Dean Smith and his wife, thank God. And Mr. Delaney had taken Mrs. Delaney back to her crypt before the sun came up.
“Bed,” Maddy said. “Must. Get. To. Bed.”
“I got you.” We wrapped our arms around each other and stumbled out. I heard another bottle of champagne being popped, and I shook my head. “These wedding guests make me feel like an amateur. They even drank the band under the table.”
“They’re pros,” Madison agreed. “We should leave the experts to it.”
We staggered down the hall to our wing. “I had fun tonight.”
“Me too.” She leaned against me. “Although I have a feeling I’m going to regret those shots.”
“I already do.” We stopped outside our doors and hesitated.
“Um…” Maddy said.
“Er…” I wanted… I wanted all sorts of things. I put my hands on her hips and flexed them. She let out a shivery breath as I pulled her closer. “Is this okay, Mads?”
She looked up at me, her big green eyes getting wider. “Yes.”
I leaned down and brushed my lips against hers. A pull deep in my belly almost had me moaning. Our lips touched again—we were tentative, but there was a wanting beneath it, powerful and intense.
She was braver than me. She put her hands on my chest and kissed me deeper, opening her sweet mouth and gently seeking my tongue with hers.
When they connected, an electric shock zipped through me, straight to my cock.
Giving in to the sensation, I sank my hands into her hair. She moaned, running her hands over my chest as our kiss deepened. I throbbed for her, from my head all the way to my dick, which was getting harder by the second, trying to get closer to her.
“Whoa, whoa.” I pulled back, breathing hard.
“Whoa what?” She laughed and reached for me again.
“We should stop.” The words were out of my mouth before I could think them through. “We’ve been drinking. It’s been a long day.”
“Of course!” Madison laughed, but it sounded borderline hysterical. She quickly took a step back. I could tell from her face that she was embarassed and about to cry. “See you tomorrow!”
“Maddy—”
But she hustled off and shut her door before I could say more.
I didn’t blame her. I went in my own room and stalked over to the windows, staring at the dark ocean. Waves crashed against the sand, over and over, a never-ending catch and release.
I wanted to kiss Madison—I wanted to do a lot more than that. But in the back of my mind, I knew I should wait. I truly believed I was over Katie, but I had to make sure, absolutely sure, that I was one hundred percent clear of her before starting something with Madison. And it wasn’t because of her crazy family, who would probably find some way to incarcerate me if I hurt their daughter. It was because I cared about her. She deserved the best. She was also skittish—she’d been single for a long time. If I slept with her tonight and then we had Katie drama when we got back to the city, Madison wouldn’t be able to handle it.
So there I was, alone, my head starting to throb.
My phone buzzed again. Shaking my head in disgust, I answered.
“Finally!” Katie yelled. “I’ve been trying you for hours!”
“What do you want from me, Katie?”
“I just left Dave at the altar for you! I want you to come home.” She started crying. “Why are you making me wait like this?”
“Katie…don’t. Stop crying.” She was being insane, but she sounded hysterical. “C’mon now, you need to calm down. Everything’s going to be okay.”
I heard something behind me and turned around. It was Maddy, standing in the doorway, her eyes wide as she listened to what I said.
“I have to go.” I hung up, but Maddy was already gone, slamming the door behind her. “Maddy, wait!”
I ran to her room and knocked.
“Go away.” Her voice came out muffled, but it sounded like she was crying.
"Maddy…” I rested my forehead against her door.
“I mean it.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. But she didn’t answer. After a minute I gave up and headed back to my room. I sank onto my bed. All the red flags in all the nations didn’t even have to wave anymore.
This weekend had exhausted them on all fronts.
Chapter Eighteen
MADISON
The words played over and over in my head, an endless loop set against the crashing of the waves against the shore. “Katie…don’t. Stop crying. C’mon now, you need to calm down. Everything’s going to be okay.”
He was comforting her. After rejecting me.
I lay on my bed, staring up at the ceiling in the darkness. I’d gone in there to ask if he was okay. Our kiss had been wonderful, but then he’d pulled away, and it had gotten so awkward. It was maddening. We were adults, though, so that was why I’d gone to his room. I wanted to apologize for running away.
He’d been so wrapped up in his phone call, he hadn’t even heard me knock.
I’d been an idiot this weekend. Apparently, I’d been so starved for male attention, any small scrap of affectio
n meant too much to me. It had only been two days, but every time Bob had touched me—held my hand, played with my hair, and worst of all, slow danced with me—I’d wanted him. I’d basked in his attention, reading way more into it than was appropriate. If he’d asked me to, I would have spent the night in his room in a heartbeat.
Instead, I was in my room, alone. And he was next door, probably back on the phone with the runaway bride.
He’d said he wanted to get away for the weekend because he didn’t want to deal with his ex-girlfriend’s wedding. The red flag had been raised right then, but I’d ignored it. He was still emotionally involved with his ex. Clearly, she still had feelings for him—just ask the guy she’d left at the altar!
All I had to show for this weekend was a fake date and a massive hangover.
Not to mention my bruised ego…and aching heart.
Bob waited for me the next morning. “I heard there’s a brunch or something.” He looked nervous.
“There’s always a brunch.” My head throbbed, and my pride was so wounded that I couldn’t bother to use a nice tone.
His shoulders slumped. “Maddy, about last night—”
“We were drunk. It should never have happened.”
He sighed. “Are you going to give me a chance to explain myself?”
“I think it’s pretty self-explanatory. You kissed me because you were drunk, and I wanted you to, and then you had a change of heart. So you talked to your ex-girlfriend instead. Who, by the way, decided to not get married to her fiancé yesterday and kept calling you instead.” I jutted my chin out. “I did go to Harvard, you know. I think I can keep up.”
“Maddy—”
But before Bob could continue, Pryce appeared from behind a potted plant halfway down the hall, making me jump. “Jesus Christ! Why are you sneaking around like that?” I yelled.
The butler didn’t seem minutely abashed. “A word, Mr. Palmieri.”
I stepped forward. “Tell my mother to call off her dog. He’s not coming with you. There’s nothing left to say.”