The Groom Wager (Wrong Way Weddings Book 1)

by Lori Wilde

  She inched into the living room.

  It was casually male and sparsely furnished, just an oversized black leather couch placed for TV viewing, a coffee table littered with electronics—a computer, e-reader, and iPhone—a couple of boxy end tables, and an elliptical machine parked to one side. The place smelled of him. Masculine and sexy.

  She was losing her nerve. Coming here was a very bad idea. Not seeing Cole for two weeks made it doubly hard to face him.

  No noise was coming from what she took to be the bathroom. It was now or never. She moved toward the closed door.

  “I need to talk to you,” she said, raising her voice. “Now.”

  The door opened a crack. “Can I get dressed first?”

  “Oh, uh, sure. Cole, is that you?” She moved away from the door.

  “Nope, Zack. Cole’s not home yet. Will I do?”

  The wrong Bailey twin strolled toward her with a towel wrapped around his waist. He was wet, water trickling from his hair onto broad, tanned shoulders. The wet whorls on his spectacular chest trailed down to the white terry-cloth towel wrapped around his waist.

  She backed up and collided with another tall, broad Bailey. She whirled around. Cole had come in silently behind her.

  “No, you won’t do,” Cole answered his brother. He took Tess by the elbow and hustled her through a door and into the garage filled with tools, sporting equipment, and his pickup truck.

  “How do you know I didn’t come to see Zack?” she asked, annoyed by his high-handedness. “I’m not your girlfriend.”

  His eyes darkened. “Are you Zack’s?”

  “No, but—”

  “He was wearing a towel.” Cole scowled.

  “I thought you were the one in the shower.” She realized what she’d said and felt her cheeks burn. For once he didn’t seem to notice.

  His eyes glistened. “You wanted to see me in the shower?”

  “No!”

  “Um, why are you here?”

  “We need to talk.”

  “What about?”

  “You. The bets.”

  “Do you want to sit in my truck?”

  “I don’t need that much time.” What she had to say didn’t require a cozy one-on-one in the cab of his pickup.

  He opened the door. “Get in.”

  She balked.

  “Please,” he added.

  Nibbling her bottom lip at the magic word, she climbed inside. Her heart thudded as he walked around and got in behind the wheel.

  Cole turned in the seat to stare at her. “Did you get the book I sent?”

  She couldn’t help smiling. “I did. Thank you.”

  “I wanted to get you something special. To let you know how much I appreciate what you’re doing for me.”

  “It was very special,” she said. “It was perfect.”

  “I still remember how hard it was for you to drill that book through my thick skull.”

  “Aww, sweet memories,” she said a bit sarcastically. “But you did surprise me with the book. It was quite thoughtful.”

  “You say that as if surprised. I have depth.”

  She rubbed her chin with her palm. “Maybe you do.”

  “Why did you come to see me?”

  “What if I told you I came to see Zack...” Why was she baiting him? Why didn’t she just come right out and tell him the truth?

  “You saw quite a bit of him, I’d say.” Cole scowled. Ooh, was he jealous?

  “Not intentionally.”

  “You were gawking at him.”

  Tess chuffed. “Guess what? I know why none of your dates have worked out. You’re insufferable. You wouldn’t recognize a nice woman if she wore angel’s wings.”

  “I disagree.” His eyes were on her.

  Tess gulped and felt her cheeks redden under the heat of his stare. “The reason I came here,” she said in what she hoped was a cool, reserved tone, “is to tell you I’m done being your dating service.”

  “You only have to provide one more date. Why stop now?”

  “Cole, finding dates for you is a full-time job. Do you know how many hours I spend on the phone either calling or texting? I have my own life to lead.”

  He looked contrite. “I had no idea it was so much effort. You have been working really hard, and I truly appreciate you.”

  “I know you weren’t aware of what it took out of me; that’s why I’m telling you. It’s too much. Not to mention my own social life has become nonexistent since I became your personal matchmaker. It was a silly bet, and you can’t hold me to it.”

  “Please,” he said, looking so stricken her heart squeezed. “Don’t bail on me, Tess. I need you.”

  She folded her arms over her chest. “Why?”

  “What am I doing wrong on these dates?” It seemed as if he truly wanted to know.

  Where did she start?

  “For one thing, stop being so picky. Everyone is human, including you.”

  “You’re right. I’m too hard to please. I’ll do better. I promise.” He pressed his palms together in front of his chest. “Please, give me another chance.”

  She did not want to say “yes.” She opened her mouth to say “no” but instead, she said, “All right. One last date.”

  “Thank you.” Relief spread across his handsome face.

  “I have a stipulation,” she said.

  “Sure. You’re in charge. Whatever you say.” He bobbed his head.

  She held up an index finger. “Try your best. Give the woman a real chance.”

  “All right,” he said quickly. “But I have a stipulation too.”

  “Hmm.” She pressed her lips together. “What’s that?”

  “Please don’t go out with my brother.”

  “Why not?”

  “Seriously, he’s really not your type.”

  “Are you trying to tell me who I can go out with?”

  “You tell me who to go out with,” he countered.

  “Yes, but you asked me to.”

  “Please, take my word for it. Zack’s not for you.” He seemed almost desperate. Could he be jealous of his twin brother? Interesting.

  “Are you trying to protect him or me?” she asked.

  “You. My brother can take care of himself.”

  “And I can’t?”

  “You can in most situations,” he admitted reluctantly. “But, please, take it from me—”

  “Oh, never mind. I won’t date Zack. I know better than to get involved with either one of the Bailey twins. But you have to stop being so picky. You don’t give your dates a chance.”

  “From now on, they can eat with their fingers, and I won’t hold it against them.”

  “Oh, give me a break.” She slid from the seat of his pickup and walked away as fast as she could go without looking terrified.

  Cole watched her drive away. She had no idea how hard it was coming up with reasons not to call any of her friends for a second date.

  Ordinarily, he was easy to please. He wasn’t picky by nature, but this marriage hunt had him spooked. The dates he’d been having were more like job interviews. He hadn’t met anyone he liked as much as Tess, let alone a woman he could imagine as a wife.

  What was he going to do about that? Wondering, he went back inside.

  Zack was lounging on the couch, watching a golf tournament on TV. He was dressed in khaki slacks and a new red polo shirt.

  “That’s my shirt.”

  “Hope you don’t mind that I borrowed it. I don’t have any good ones clean.” Zack stood up and turned off the TV.

  “I mind but go ahead.” Cole waved a hand.

  “If you have a date...” He made a motion to take off the shirt.

  “No, wear it.”

  “I was surprised to see Tess here,” Zach said casually. “You’re seeing a lot of her these days.”

  “Not really.”

  “Maybe you’d like to?”

  “No.”

  “Then why warn me off of her?
She’s cute,” Zack said. “We could have some fun together.”

  Cole gritted his teeth. “I thought you were leaving.”

  Zack glanced at his smart watch. “I’ve got thirty minutes before I have to pick up my date, and she just lives a few blocks away. What’s really bugging you?”

  Cole flopped down on the couch. “This whole marriage thing. Try shopping for a wife. It’s not fun.”

  “My turn will come. Meanwhile, there’s a hot little number right under your nose. If you’re not interested, I’ll keep Tess in mind when Marsh puts the screws on me again.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Nah. She looked right through me. I was standing there in a towel, and she didn’t even notice me. She wants someone else.” Zack stared at him pointedly.

  “Not me. If she wanted me, why is she spending so much time helping me meet other women?”

  “Don’t be dense. She’s picking all your dates. Have you stopped to ask why they’re all duds?”

  That gave Cole pause. Maybe he wasn’t being picky after all. Could Tess be purposefully choosing women he wouldn’t go for? Hmm. That was an interesting concept.

  “By the way,” Zack said. “You still owe me for the tile job. I can’t believe you ended up with two women, and I had to grout tile while Mrs. Henry Des Plaines stared at my butt.”

  “You lost the toss.”

  “Seriously—” Zack always used that word when Cole wasn’t going to like what he said.

  “You don’t want to be late for your date.”

  Zack cleared his throat. “Listen to your older brother.”

  “I don’t think seven minutes makes you the wiser sibling.”

  “You don’t want me to see Tess. I got that message loud and clear. So why not spend more time with her yourself? She’s a pretty awesome woman.”

  “Are you kidding? And risk screwing up the best friendship I’ve ever had with a woman? If she finds out why I have this sudden interest in settling down...”

  Zack looked stunned. “You didn’t tell her?”

  “She doesn’t need to know.”

  “Whew.” Zack shook his head. “Big mistake.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I gotta get going.” Zack stood and patted his back pocket to check whether his billfold was there. “My advice? Tell her the truth. The sooner the better.”

  “It’s not your problem,” Cole grumbled, wondering why he’d agreed to share temporary housing with his brother. He needed some space of his own—a life of his own.

  A knock sounded at the door.

  Cole went to the front door as Zack went out the back.

  Tess was standing on the stoop, pink-cheeked and breathless as if she’d been running. “Hi. Can I come in?”

  “Sure.” He stepped aside.

  She moved past him and into the living room. “I was driving home when I had a really good idea.”

  “You’ve decided to fix me up with even more women?”

  “No, absolutely not. But I know a way for you to meet women on your own without me deciding who’s nice—”

  “And who’s naughty?” He wriggled his eyebrows.

  “Hush a minute and let me tell you.”

  “You look a little hot and bothered. Can I get you something to drink?” he asked.

  “No, thanks. I won’t be here that long. I was thinking about everything I have to do this next week. Then I realized that next Sunday afternoon I’m invited to a baby shower. Come with me.”

  “Huh?” Was she out of her ever-loving mind? She wanted him to suffer. This was revenge for losing the bet.

  “It’s a great opportunity for you to meet nice women. Nothing puts a girl in a marrying mood more than a baby shower. Other guys will be there too.”

  “You gotta be kidding me.”

  “I know it’s not your idea of fun, but it’s a great opportunity. Several single women will be there. Think of all the time you’ll save if you do your nit-picking before I even set you up.”

  “But a baby shower?” His stomach knotted.

  “Are you serious about settling down or not?”

  She sounded so stern that he almost smiled, but he didn’t want to offend her. She’d driven all the way back over here when she could have just texted.

  “Yeah, I am serious,” he grudgingly admitted.

  “Then come to the shower.”

  “Um, I have to check my schedule.”

  “You’re not going to come, are you?”

  He shrugged guiltily.

  “Have you ever been to a baby shower?”

  “No.”

  “It’s not but a party with pink icing and baby presents. You might enjoy yourself.”

  “Not likely,” he muttered.

  “You won’t even need to buy a gift. I’ll pick out something and sign both our names.”

  “Will the women there be oohing and aahing over stuff made by Bailey Baby Products?”

  “Since your grandfather’s company is the biggest distributor of infant supplies in the US, yes, most likely.”

  “Then I’ll hate it.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic. Do you want to pick me up or meet me there?”

  “I’ll pick you up.” No way was he walking into that situation by himself, but it was only after he said it that he realized he actually agreed to go. The woman might look innocent, but she was sly.

  “Good, it’s a date,” she said. “Mmm, I didn’t mean date, date.” She flapped a hand as her cheeks turned beet red. “You know that, right?”

  “No, of course you didn’t mean date, date.”

  “It’s a girl.”

  “Huh?” What was she talking about? She caught him off guard yet again.

  “The couple is expecting a girl.”

  “Oh, yeah, you did mention pink icing.”

  “I’ll see you next Sunday. Be at my place at one thirty.” Then she left without giving him a chance to protest.

  10

  “Where are the men?” Cole whispered, keeping his arm securely locked around Tess’ waist so she couldn’t slip back into the house he’d just dragged her out of. They were standing in the postage-stamp-sized backyard.

  “You met Pippa’s husband.” She gestured toward where the guests were gathering in the family room on the other side of the sliding glass patio door.

  “But he lives here.”

  “Well, yes, but we’re early. Half the guests aren’t here yet. Don’t be so impatient. This is your golden opportunity to work the party for Miss Right. If you’re not willing to take my advice, you can go sit on a bar stool at Buck’s Tavern and pick up women.” She pulled away and glowered at him.

  “Okay, okay.” He held up his palms in a gesture of surrender.

  Tess shook her head. “When we were in high school, do you think I dreamed of someday dragging Mr. Heartthrob of the Valentine’s Day dance to a baby shower to meet women?”

  He shrugged and grinned sheepishly.

  “Do you know what I think?” She sank her hands onto her hips, her blue eyes flashing.

  “What?”

  “I think you’re super picky because you aren’t really ready to settle down.”

  “Not true.”

  “Well, take a good look while you’re here, because I can’t do any better than this. The house is chockful of decent, attractive, marriageable single women.”

  “Um, okay.”

  “And don’t pull me outside for another gripe session. Got it?”

  “Got it.”

  “Good.” She went back to the party. Her cheeks were almost as red as the patio bricks where he was still standing.

  He hadn’t felt so dejected in years. What was wrong with him? He didn’t give a rat’s ass about meeting women here or anywhere else. Tess’ anger made him feel rotten—and ashamed of himself. She’d stuck her neck out when she arranged dates for him, and all he did was grouse about them when he should have been deeply grateful for her.
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br />   Cole was ready to tell Marsh what he could do with his shares of Bailey stock. But he couldn’t. His mother would be devastated if a hostile board of directors voted her out as CEO and therein lay the crux of his dilemma.

  He gritted his teeth and followed Tess inside.

  Eventually more people did show up. He tried to hang with Gilbert, Pippa’s husband, but the man was on kitchen duty refilling the punch bowl, bringing out little squares of bread that looked more like decorations than food, and dumping pink heart-shaped mints in candy dishes. Cole offered to help, but Gilbert waved him away and told him to go have fun.

  As if.

  He stood in the corner, trying to sort out the politics of the party. Two friends were hosting it, but their apartment was too small, so they were throwing it at the house of the parents-to-be. A bevy of aunts had brought food, and someone else had been responsible for decorating with pink paper streamers and “Welcome Baby Girl” signage.

  He wasn’t ignored. Everyone made chitchat with him, even Pippa’s great-aunt who looked a bit like the famous Hollywood bombshell Ann Margaret.

  Everyone, that is, except Tess. He followed her with his eyes, but she was ignoring him.

  Finally, a few more guys showed up with dates. The kitchen got crowded as the guys tried to distance themselves from the feminine festivities. Cole didn’t dare hang out there and talk sports. He feared Tess would drive him back to the horde of women with a wooden cooking spoon.

  He was glad when the guest of honor sat on the floor to open gifts, even though he didn’t see how she’d get back up in her pregnant condition.

  Tess knelt beside Pippa and handed her the gifts. Her hair bounced against her shoulders, and she bubbled over with enthusiasm. Watching her, his heart gave a wistful twist. What a force of nature his Tess was.

  His Tess?

  What was that all about?

  The doorbell rang, and Gilbert raced to answer it. He ushered in another couple. Cole recognized the guy from high school.

  Ron Howser, nemesis of his football days, the one guy who could be counted on to trip his own teammates to make himself look good, sauntered into the room, smirking. On his arm was a gorgeous blonde dressed in slinky, tight-fitting clothes that showed off her hourglass figure, six-inch stilettoes, and heartbeat-red lipstick. The same kind of woman Ron had dated in high school.