Chapter 3 #2
Walker speaks up. “That’s the only thing that matters, Mia. First of all, it’s none of their business, and second, anyone who knows you and Jackson has no doubt you belong together. Don’t let single-minded people dampen your day. Take it from me, it’s not worth it.”
Not only is he hilarious, but he’s also a sweetheart, and it’s easy to tell what a great friend he is to Mia.
I’m seriously loving this whole group of people.
I feel blessed to have been brought in and am so glad things worked out for Cici the way they did.
She belongs here, surrounded by friends and family, with the man of her dreams. I’m so happy for her I could cry.
Which means I should slow down on the drinks, or we’ll end up with a super sappy Poppy in a bit.
“You okay over there?” Cici asks, jolting me from my thoughts.
I giggle, “Yeah. Just getting sentimental and decided I’d better switch to water before it’s out of hand. I’m so excited for the wedding.”
I’m also looking forward to Matt’s arrival tomorrow afternoon. It’ll be nice to have another familiar face. Hopefully, some single ladies will be at the wedding for him. Maybe we can help each other out and do some scoping. We singles have to stick together.
“Do you guys have any girlfriends you could introduce to Matt?” I ask.
They’re discussing the guest list when Lily excitedly says, “Ooh, I do have someone to introduce you to. His name is Jordan, and he’s super cute. He works in the marketing department with me.”
“If I hear my wife mention the attractiveness of another man one more time, there will be consequences.” A voice comes from behind us.
We all turn around to the guys approaching from the hotel. Sebastian is in the lead and close enough to have heard Lily tell me about Jordan. Seriously, how did these women land such drop-dead gorgeous men? I mean, wow. Lucky bitches, I tell ya.
“Is that supposed to scare me?” Lily quips back as Sebastian leans down to kiss her.
They’re a cute couple, but I’ve heard a few stories from Cici, and I’m not sure I’d be okay with a man like that. He seems a little too intense for my liking. He’s formidable in person, that’s for sure, and I can’t imagine he’s much different at home.
His twin Eli, however, is a puppy dog, which proves that Cici’s commitment disorder is real because if it weren’t, no way would she have held out so long before scooping him up.
Justin seems to be a mix of the two, but he certainly resembles his career in security well since he never lets his guard down.
And lastly, Jackson reminds me of a bodybuilder, but the only thing I’ve determined about him so far is that he’s the most smitten. The way he looks at Mia makes my heart pitter-patter.
By the time this weekend is over, I’ll need to find a man, because holy cow, am I a jealous bitch at the moment as the rest of the guys kiss and greet their ladies. Walker and I make eye contact, and we both crack up laughing, knowing we’re thinking the exact same thing.
Braden
What a day. Warren and I pored through the information from Jim, the client I landed in Montana, while nursing the hangover from hell.
It was necessary to get a jump start, though, since it’s a nightmare of a divorce with the amount of assets involved.
Now Warren can start gathering the additional data we need.
Between that and the constant jabs about not scoring the librarian, it was a long fucking day.
Justin popped in to review the case and make a game plan for what he’ll be investigating for us.
He’s the man who finds hidden assets, money trails, and is my best-kept secret around the office.
I’m indebted to Eli and Jackson for the referral, which means I’ll handle their divorces for free when the time comes.
Not that it’s inevitable, but we’re dealing with a 50/50 chance, since those are the current statistics.
I won’t tell my friends that. I’m not a total douchebag, simply an educated one.
I’m happy for them. So I’m constantly reminding myself that just because it didn’t work for me doesn’t mean it won’t for others, and I try to keep my thoughts in check.
Otherwise, the words out of my mouth would be less than encouraging.
Who can blame me, given my personal experience and occupation?
I’ll be the model of positivity this weekend, though.
Besides, not only is it Friday, but I’ll be celebrating with friends with a sexy chick on my arm in…
crap, looking at my watch, I realize I’m late to the rehearsal.
Having just entered the room, I quickly remove my tie and undo the top two buttons of my dress shirt for a more casual look.
It was a long day, but a quick glance in the mirror shows I’ve made it through all right.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. Shit.
Jackson: Where are you? We’re starting.
Me: The room. Sorry, work went late. Leaving in seconds.
Jackson: Hurry up. Cici’s losing her shit.
Me: Tell her to chill, this was your wedding to begin with.
Jackson: Don’t be an ass.
Me: On my way.
Finishing up, I rush out of the room and jump in the golf cart they provided to hightail it over. I’m eager to meet this girl I’ll be walking down the aisle with, especially after hearing that she’s a looker from Justin. Not that Eli would’ve warned me off if she wasn’t—he wouldn’t have had to.
As I’m parking, I see the group in the distance.
It’s an outdoor wedding, and the rehearsal is taking place where the wedding will be held tomorrow afternoon.
My partner isn’t hard to spot, being the only redhead in attendance, and there’s something vaguely familiar about her. I recognize that ass. And those legs…
Oh fuck, you’ve got to be shitting me.
I don’t need any more evidence to know it’s her.
Jackson’s the only one facing my direction and calls me out. “Dude, it’s about time you show up. We almost got a stand-in for you,” he yells, causing everyone to turn.
The minute she sees me, her eyes go wide, and her jaw drops.
“And let Mouse walk down the aisle with a stranger? Not a chance.”
“Who? What are you…” He trails off when he notices the recognition on her face and the smirk on mine.
“Wait. Have you two met?” Jackson asks skeptically, drawing the other’s attention.
“We sat next to each other on the flight from Bozeman yesterday,” she answers.
Her name is Poppy if I remember correctly. I know her name now.
“Oh shiiit,” Eli says, then laughs as he continues, “This is the girl you struck out with?”
“Oh my gosh, it makes total sense now. That’s the douchebag. How did I not put two and two together?” comes from Cici, who’s next to Eli, smirking.
I glare at them but quickly recover. Poppy’s eyebrows raise in surprise at our friends having heard both sides of the story. Yeah, sugar, I did tell them about you.
“How am I a douchebag for hitting on a hot chick? That shit happens every day. You should be flattered, Mouse.”
“Flattered? Really? How about disgusted? Your pickup lines were enough to make any girl run for the hills,” Poppy says with a hand on her jutted hip. She’s annoyingly cute when irritated.
“Au contraire, most women are running straight to my bed,” I state matter-of-factly.
“Well, I’m not a bimbo like the girls you’re probably used to.”
“Nope, you’re just a meek little mouse who only reads about the good stuff instead of doing it.”
She glares but doesn’t reply, and the hurt is evident. Now I feel like a jerk. Especially with the evil eyes I’m getting from Cici, Lily, and Lucy. And the looks from the guys say I’ve definitely fucked up. Well, shit.
We’re interrupted by the officiant, gratefully directing our attention away from each other. “All right, everyone. If Jackson and Eli come with me, I’ll have the rest of you take your places so we can get started. I know you have a dinner to attend.”
Cici whispers into Poppy’s ear, then Poppy shakes her head with the words, “It’s fine.”
Great. Judging by the look of warning they gave me before walking off, Jackson and Eli are going to read me the riot act for that little show. As they take their places at the front of the aisle, Sebastian and Justin pull me aside.
“Dude, watch yourself. Cici’s pregnant, hormonal, and it’s her wedding. The last thing you want to do is piss her off. She’ll hand you your balls,” Sebastian offers.
“Yeah, if I were you, I’d take my word on things and wait for the next redhead to come along. I think your chances of landing this one are over. And you might want to do some groveling,” Justin adds.
“Screw that. She dishes as much shit as I do. She’ll be fine. And don’t count me out yet, there’s still plenty of time.”
Sebastian shakes his head. “It’s your balls, just be careful.”
Justin claps me on the shoulder. “Good luck with that. And with Cici, if you succeed.”
I scoff. “Whatever, we’re all adults.”
Both Justin and Sebastian’s eyes go behind me as Poppy asks, “Does that mean you’ll start behaving like one?”
Breathing deeply, I paste on a smile and turn to face my mouse.
Her hair is up in a sleek ponytail, and the sundress she’s wearing hugs her slender figure, accentuating her hips.
She has no bra on, and the mounds of her breasts are peeking out enough at the top of her dress to make me want to uncover the rest.
“Now what would be the fun in that? Come on, sugar, let’s do this.” I grab her hand and bring it to my arm, stepping away from the others and the daggers Cici is shooting at me.
Poppy seems so prim and proper and, honestly, probably way too innocent for the likes of me. Dammit, I really should let this go, but I’m unaccustomed to losing and not quite sure I’m willing.
Sebastian and Lily take their place in front of Poppy and me. Justin and Lucy are behind us, followed by Cici and her dad, and lastly, Walker and Mia, who have graciously remained silent during the confrontation.
“What are the chances, huh? You know, if you’d told me your name, we could’ve avoided that,” I whisper to Poppy.
“If you were capable of actual conversation and not just cheesy pickup lines, it probably would’ve come up,” she whispers angrily.
Moments after the music starts, Sebastian and Lily begin walking.
“Something came up, that’s for sure. Guess what I went to bed thinking about last night?”
“Stop it.”
My shoulders shake as I chuckle silently. Riling her up is so much fun.
“I bet you had plenty of naughty thoughts. Tell me, have I starred in any of your fantasies?”
“Actually, you have—one where you got hit by a bus.”
This time, the laugh escapes, causing Poppy to aggressively “shh” me.
As we proceed down the aisle, I can feel her seething the entire way, which in turn glues a smile to my face. When we arrive at the front, she yanks her hand from my arm and stomps toward the bride’s side as I take my place next to Sebastian.
Eli gives me a warning look as Sebastian leans in to whisper, “You’re digging yourself deeper, man.”
“Nah, I’m having fun is all.”
“It’s your grave.”
That it is. Or it could be my bed. Either way, I won’t go lying down.