Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 107453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
When in doubt, make a joke at your own expense.
“Excuse me for a sec, Aubs,” Dev says, not taking the bait at all as he swings his legs off the hood of the car, jerking his gaze to Ledger then the parking lot in a walk with me gesture.
I sit up.
Worries swim inside me as Ledger hops off the hood and strides into the warm summer night with Dev, the sound of their footsteps fading. Maybe I should just shut up and stop telling them every detail of my failed wedding. They are my brother’s besties, after all, but I’ve been treating them like mine. I have my own besties to share my innermost thoughts with.
But before I can stew in my head much longer, the duet of Crocs and wingtips on pavement grows louder as my escorts return. They stop in front of me, twin gazes a little devilish.
“What if instead of a jilted bride refund,” Dev begins, his lips curving into a satisfied grin.
“We take the trip with you,” Ledger finishes.
I freeze.
Did they really say that? Tilting my head, I study Dev’s green eyes, playful, but hopeful too. Then Ledger’s blue ones. Serious. Direct.
They mean this. “A honeymoon for three?” I ask.
Dev gives a casual shrug. “I’m pretty fucking fun.”
“Stern Brunch Daddy knows how to have a good time too,” Ledger adds. As if he has to sell himself as well when I’m beyond sold. I want to shout yes, yes, yes right now. But there’s that little matter of my brother. “What about Garrett?”
I’ve barely mentioned him all day. There’s been no need. But I don’t want to upset him by monopolizing time with his clients who are also his friends. “Will he mind?”
Dev scratches his bearded jaw, seeming to consider it for a beat. “He did send us to take care of you today. I’ve been keeping him in the loop over text. He asked us to look out for you.”
My heart sags a little. I don’t want to be a pity plus-one. But before I can ask if that’s the only reason they’re suggesting this, Ledger clears his throat and says with authority, “But you’re our friend now too. We want to do this. He’ll be chill.”
And, really, what’s not to be chill about? I’m not involved with either guy. And they do feel like friends. “Did we just become best friends?” I say, borrowing the movie line from Step Brothers.
“Damn straight we did,” Ledger says.
I smile, relieved. But I want to be one hundred percent certain. “You guys don’t have stuff to do?”
“Training camp doesn’t start for another week,” Ledger says.
“Who else can take time off at the drop of a hat?” Dev adds, then steps closer, swiping a strand of hair off my cheek, and tucking it gently behind my ear, making my pulse skip a beat. “My schedule is clear.”
When the shiver fades into a warm glow, I shift to Ledger, hunting for any sign he’s not on board. “You really want—”
“Yes,” Ledger growls, and my damn pulse skitters again. That was a firm, sexy declaration. “Are you in or out?”
I stop thinking. I start planning. “Yes. I’m in. But what about the airfare? We had two seats, and even though Aiden doesn’t need his, I don’t think you can just change names on tickets. Plus we’d need one more.” I bet Aiden canceled his ticket this morning. Maybe no one scooped up his empty seat yet. I hope there’s another one.
I grab my phone from my purse. An email from the airline blinks in the notifications.
“Yep,” I say sarcastically, waving the phone around. “He canceled his ticket. So thoughtful. Since he only canceled his. Didn’t even bother to see if I still wanted to go or not.”
“That guy,” Ledger grumbles, taking a step toward the hotel. “I should pay him another visit.”
In no time, Dev’s hand curls around Ledger’s shoulder. “He’s history, man. Let him be. Let’s do this and help Aubs.”
Help. Yes, that’s what this is. A friendly, helpful gesture from my new best friends.
“Fine. You’re right,” Ledger admits. “Let’s see if there are seats.”
In seconds, they break out their phones. We search for tickets, plugging in permutations. Dev shows me flights to Seattle tomorrow, checking them against mine. Ledger tests other options, and my heart races, but reality is making one thing clear.
This is just a pipe dream.
The flights are full. Tonight, tomorrow, and the next day.
All the air leaks out of me in a sigh, but I shrug like it’s truly no big deal, even though I wanted it badly for a few minutes there. “It was a fun idea, guys,” I say, then lift my chin. I’m not going to run off with my tail between my legs. “But I’ll go alone. I don’t want to waste the money, and I think it’d be good to get out of town for a little while.”