Wedding Date (Dating Series Book 6)

by Monica Murphy

  “I did. She’s amazing. Gorgeous. We’ve been together for quite a while now.” Not a lie. Kelsey and I have been together that long—as friends.

  “I’m so glad, man,” Craig says softly. “Jessica and I—we never meant to hurt you.”

  “Right. Sure.” My voice is clipped. “I don’t doubt you two were very worried about me and my feelings.”

  “Hey, don’t act like that. We felt like total shit after everything that happened. You know I love you like a brother,” he says.

  None of my brothers would’ve ever done me as dirty as this asshole, so that statement doesn’t mean shit to me. “What exactly do you want, Craig?”

  “Right. Uh, I’ve had a last minute bail out when it comes to my groomsmen. Literally. One of my friends—he just got sentenced and has to do some jail time.” Craig frowns. “Lost his job and everything.”

  Sounds like Craig is hanging out with some high-quality people. “That’s a shame.”

  “I know. Billy’s had a rough time of it lately. But anyway, I now have a slot to fill and I was kind of hoping…” His voice drifts and he smiles brightly. “That you could be my groomsman.”

  “Oh hell no.” The words shoot out of my mouth automatically and without much thought.

  His face falls. “Come on. We were always so close when we were kids.”

  “Were we, though? Really?” I ask, running my hand along my jaw as I contemplate him. He has to know the truth. I wouldn’t call our relationship close. More like we had to spend time together because my father and his mother are siblings. They were close. Of course they wanted to raise their families together. We were together for every single holiday when I was a kid. Big family bashes reminded them of their own childhood, and yeah, I can’t deny I have a lot of fond memories.

  But most of them don’t involve Craig. Forced by age and circumstance, that’s the only reason we hung out together. Craig was always trying to one up me throughout our growing up years. I was the responsible one of my family. The oldest brother. Craig was an only child and completely spoiled.

  “We totally were!” Craig exclaims, like my question is a no brainer. “I know you’re probably not too—happy with me, but you have to know I didn’t mean for it to happen.”

  “Uh huh.”

  “I swear! I had no idea who Jessica was when I met her.” His expression turns contrite. “I met her on a site, you know?”

  My entire body goes cold. “On a site.”

  Craig’s eyes nearly bug out of his head at my flat tone. I’m guessing he just realized he stepped in it, the idiot. “Uh yeah. Not that it matters. I can’t help it if we have the same taste in women.”

  He’s trying to make light of this. Like it’s a joke. As if him pulling the figurative rug from under my feet and sending me into freefall was just an oops moment. It wasn’t. The breakup, the betrayal fucked with my head. Fucked with my life.

  “I don’t know if I can be your groomsman,” I tell him truthfully. “Find someone else.”

  “My problem is there is no one else. I can’t have one of your brothers. They’ll give me endless shit,” Craig says.

  It would be their right to do so. He deserves endless shit.

  “You’re the only one I can count on. That Jessica can count on too. Come on, man. Just—give it some time to consider our request. Let me know by the end of the weekend, all right? I gotta go. It was nice seeing you. Text me.”

  I remain in place as Craig slips out of my office, the door closing quietly behind him. As if he was never there. My brain is swirling with too many emotions. All of them negative. Or utter disbelief. Why would he think I’d be open to being his groomsman? Like…fucking seriously? There’s no way I can say yes.

  No freaking way.

  I leave the office a full hour before I’m to meet Kelsey because I have a feeling traffic would be bad. And I’m right. By the time I turn onto Ocean Blvd., the road is completely clogged with cars. I turn onto a side street and make my way around it, finding parking only about a block around the corner from the restaurant.

  Pays off to know how to get around congested traffic because you’ve lived in an area your entire life.

  Carmel is where the elite hang out. The rich folks, or the tourists. Kelsey works at Wilder Hotel—she’s the assistant to Alexander Wilder, and the hotel’s corporate offices are at the Pebble Beach location.

  Alex travels the world, visiting the various hotels that are part of his luxury resort chain. Kelsey has traveled for him a few times, though not out of the country—yet. She has a feeling an opportunity will open up soon. She’s ambitious. Dedicated. Hungry to grow her career, and I think her boss recognizes that.

  All of Kelsey’s friends hang out in and around Carmel as well. Most of them work in the area. Some of them even live close by. Stella Ricci’s family owns a few restaurants, but not the one we’re going to tonight.

  I approach the quaint restaurant, detecting the faint murmurings of multiple conversations. The lights glowing on the outside patio, and the various giant pots full of fragrant, tumbling flowers. There’s a table for two right at the front of the flagstone patio, a woman sitting with her back to me. Long, dark hair spills down her back in luxurious waves, and I know it anywhere.

  It’s Kelsey.

  Stopping quietly just behind her, I press my hands against her eyes, covering them. “Guess who?”

  “My favorite financial planner,” she says, her voice teasing.

  “Wrong.”

  “My favorite male friend.”

  I refuse to be swayed by the compliment. “Guess again.”

  “That rando who agreed to go to dinner with me tonight,” she says.

  “Bingo.” I remove my hands from her face and round the table, pulling the empty chair out and settling in. “You got a prime spot tonight.”

  “I’m trying to impress you.” There’s already a glass of wine on the table for me, and I reach for it, taking a few eager swallows. “Did it work?”

  “You always impress me, Kels.” It’s the damn truth. I try not to stare at her, but holy shit, she looks amazing. There’s a single candle on our table, its gentle light flickering across her beautiful face, making it glow, and I’m stunned for about the millionth time by her beauty.

  “Aw, thank you.” She smiles, reaching for her glass and taking a sip. “I ordered appetizers.”

  “So presumptuous.”

  “I know what you like.” Her eyes sparkle as they meet mine across the table. “How was work?”

  Craig’s visit comes to mind, and I’m about to tell her what happened when our server appears beside our table.

  “The appetizers you ordered, miss.” The waiter is young. Attractive. And he’s basically eye fucking my date.

  “Thank you.” Kelsey smiles sweetly. I swear sometimes she’s completely unaware the spell she puts on men. Her beauty slays.

  I glance at the table. See the giant tentacle lying across the plate, so large it flops over each side. “What the hell is this?”

  “Grilled Spanish octopus, sir,” the server tells me. “And a smoked salmon salad with goat cheese.”

  “I thought we could share the salad,” Kelsey says cheerfully.

  “And the octopus?” I raise my brows.

  “I thought it would be fun, trying something different.” She shrugs.

  The server’s still hovering, his eyes only for Kelsey. “I think we’re good,” I snap at him, wanting him gone.

  He sends one last, longing glance at Kelsey before he leaves.

  “You were so rude,” she chastises, her eyes dancing.

  I unroll my silverware from the cloth napkin sitting in front of me and grab my fork, reaching out to stab it into the salad that’s right in front of her. “He was looking at you like you’re a slab of octopus on a plate and he was starving.”

  She laughs, shaking her head as she unrolls her silverware as well. “The octopus is fun, am I right?”

  “That’s one way
to describe it.” I’m hungry, and the salad is delicious. So is the beautiful woman sitting across from me. Something must be in the air tonight, because just like the server, I can’t stop eye-fucking Kelsey either. Her arms are exposed thanks to the sleeveless black shirt she’s wearing. The shirt is sheer and covered with tiny white dots. Sheer as in I can see the black bra she’s wearing beneath it, and the way her breasts strain against the fabric.

  I take another gulp of wine, needing the alcohol to fortify me.

  After both of us devour the salad—it was pretty good, plus we got competitive, our forks banging against each other as we strived for that last bite—we decide to tackle the octopus. It’s actually pretty damn delicious, and we’re laughing as we cut into the tentacle, both of us lamenting the death of the octopus.

  “Normally I don’t eat this sort of thing,” Kelsey says, resting her fork on the edge of the plate.

  “Me either. I like seafood, though.” Thank God, considering there’s so much of it where we live and it’s always fresh.

  “Same.” She takes another drink of her wine. “You never did tell me how your day went.”

  “Have I got a story for you.” I fill her in on Craig’s surprise visit to my office. How casual he acted, like it was no big deal that he showed up like he did. And then I hit her with the big bombshell at the end—him asking me to be a groomsman.

  Kelsey’s brown eyes go wide and her glossy lips part. “He did not.”

  I nod. “He sure as hell did. Can you believe it?”

  “No.” She shakes her head, her expression darkening. “He has a lot of nerve.”

  I love that she looks ticked on my behalf. “I know. He’s a dick.”

  “He so is,” she says vehemently. “That’s why you should agree to do it.”

  It’s my turn for my mouth to drop open. “What the hell? Did you just say I should be a groomsman?”

  I’m spelling it out, just to make sure.

  “Yes. You totally should.” Her expression turns haughty. Damn, she’s pretty. “Show them you’ve got class, Theo.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to.” I let my fork drop so it clangs against the plate and I cross my arms. I feel like I’m five.

  She bursts out laughing. “Of course you don’t want to. But you should agree to do it anyway. Show them both you’re mature, and you’ve got a handle on your emotions. Don’t let them rattle you.”

  I consider what she says for all of about five seconds. “Yeah. Not gonna do it.”

  “Oh come on.” She rolls her eyes. “Show those fuckers you’re over her.”

  I say nothing. Just take a swig of my wine. Have another bite of octopus.

  “You are over her, right?” Kelsey asks, her expression curious.

  My gaze meets her, and I see the faint worry there. Does she think I still have feelings for Jessica? I suppose I do. But none of those feelings involve getting back together with her, or wanting her back. Or even missing her.

  “Of course I am. Fuck her. Fuck him too, if I’m being real right now.” I shake my head. Wipe my lips with my napkin. “I hate that he can just come into my office and disrupt my day like he did.”

  “Uh huh. I’m sure you do,” Kelsey says carefully. “That’s why it would be smart if you did agree to be a part of the wedding. That way you could disrupt their special day in your way, you know what I mean? At least for a little while. You’ll be in all the wedding photos, for God’s sake.”

  “That’s true. Would she really want me as a reminder for their rest of their days? Making an appearance in their wedding photos?” I let the disgust—and the effects from the wine—wash over me. “I wouldn’t want that sort of reminder personally. That’s why I can’t do it.”

  “Oh Theo.” Kelsey smiles, this devious little curl of lips that is evil and sexy, all at once. “Yes, you absolutely can.”

  Seven

  Kelsey

  Theo frowns, completely perplexed by my words, no doubt. “What are you talking about?”

  “Be a part of their wedding and let’s put on a real show for them,” I say, my entire body warm and loose from the wine I’ve been drinking. I might be a little buzzed and currently studying the man across from me with alcohol-clouded eyes.

  He is so stupidly good-looking in that suit. When did that happen? I’ve never denied Theo is attractive, but lately I’m tempted to fan myself every time I get around him, he’s so hot.

  His hair is a little mussed, as if he’s been running his fingers through it in frustration—a habit I can’t help but notice. He’s sporting five o’clock shadow on his cheeks and firm jaw. What would that stubble feel like, rubbing against my face if he kissed me? My inner thighs?

  My entire body goes up in flames at that last thought.

  Reaching for my wineglass, I take another gulp, sad when I finish it off. “We need more wine,” I say absently. Theo’s not even listening to me.

  “What do you mean by putting on a real show?” He is adorably confused.

  “Well…I was thinking something like buying the sexiest dress I can get away with wearing to a wedding and show up in it. I’ll hang all over you the entire time. Once the reception starts, I will never leave your side. We can dance the night away and I’ll let you touch my ass. I’ll also let you kiss me,” I explain, drunk on the idea of being with Theo like I’m his girlfriend.

  His eyes flicker with interest at my words, but otherwise his expression stays the same. Polite. Attentive. “You’ll really let me kiss you?”

  I roll my eyes. “Is that the only part you zeroed in on? I figured you’d like the part about me wearing the sexiest dress I can get away with at a wedding.”

  “How sexy are we talking?”

  “How formal is this wedding?”

  “I’m guessing fairly formal. Ours was supposed to be,” he says with all the nonchalance of referencing yet another boring day.

  I don’t know how he does it. I don’t know how he’s able to control himself around his cousin and not tear him apart with his bare hands. Craig stole his fiancée. And now the asshole has the nerve to ask Theo to be one of his groomsmen?

  Is the dude completely clueless? Or is he purposely trying to drive Theo insane?

  Realizing Theo is waiting for me to continue, I scramble to come up with something to say. “I’ll find a dress with a drastic neckline or a super-short skirt,” I tell him, wondering if I could possibly find both.

  “A drastic neckline?”

  “To show off my tits, Theo,” I tell him, pleased when his cheeks turn the faintest red at my saying the word tits.

  Too cute.

  “They’re my greatest asset,” I remind him with a laugh.

  “Nah, that’s your face,” he says quickly

  My laughter dies and my chest grows warm. “What?”

  “Your face.” He waves a hand in my general direction. “You’re fucking beautiful, Kels. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that? Of course they have. I’m sure there’s an endless list of men who’ve told you you’re beautiful.”

  Fine, yes, but their compliments never felt as good as the one that Theo just delivered. I can barely contain the smile that stretches across my face and I duck my head, staring at my hands curled in my lap as I try to gather my emotions.

  He thinks I’m fucking beautiful. I honestly believed he never noticed, and I was okay with that.

  I’m okay with him noticing too.

  “My family won’t believe that we’re together,” he says.

  I lift my head at his statement. “What do you mean?”

  “You’re too gorgeous. Out of my league. Jessica might not believe it either,” he says morosely, reminding me of the Theo I first met. The one who was consistently down and out, who believed he had zero game and thought all women were out to get him.

  I liked that Theo too. His bitterness fueled my bitterness toward the opposite sex, and we were bitter together. Like partners in crime.

  “I am not out of your league. Lo
ok at you.” Now I’m the one waving at him. “In your fancy suit, drinking expensive wine—”

  “That you ordered.” He smiles.

  I grin. “Right. But you pulled up in your gorgeous BMW—”

  “You like my car?” He sounds surprised.

  “Stop interrupting me,” I tell him coolly. “Yes. I like your car. You have a lot of things going for you. And I’m just…me. Just doing my thing. Why wouldn’t I go for you?”

  “You really mean that?”

  “Yes.” I nod. “I do.”

  We stare at each other, the candle flickering, laughter sounding from the table behind me. I would totally go for a guy like Theo if I hadn’t sworn off men. He’s so kind. So real. He’s got his shit together, and after the endless string of dates and semi-boyfriends I’ve dealt with over the last few years, that’s refreshing.

  Theo clears his throat. Glances longingly at his empty wineglass, as if he hopes it would magically refill too. “Well. I—”

  “Are you two ready to order dinner?”

  I startle, jerking my head up to find the server smiling at me, his gaze smoldering. He’s rather flirtatious. “Oh, I forgot…” I glance over at the menu sitting discarded beside me.

  “Grab us another bottle of wine and we’ll be ready to order when you come back,” Theo tells him, his voice bossy. Demanding.

  Wow, that was kind of hot.

  The server shoots him an annoyed glance as he says, “Of course. I’ll be right back.”

  The moment he’s gone, Theo lets out an irritated…

  Growl?

  “What’s wrong?” I ask him, reaching for the menu and cracking it open.

  “He’s flirting with you,” he gripes. “Or did you not notice?”

  “I guess so.” I’m surprised Theo did. And he sounds almost…

  Jealous?

  What in the world is going on here?

  “Asshole,” he mutters as he grabs his menu and jerks it open, like he wants to rip it in half. “What are you going to get to eat?”

  “I’m not sure.” I lift the menu up a little, peeking over the edge so I can study him. Theo appears surly and discontent. He’s scowling as he reads the menu, his hair falling over his forehead, almost into his eyes. He swipes at the thick strands distractedly, his upper lip curling the slightest bit and my lips part.