Seducing the Best Man

“I don’t think we can take this one back,” Zach quipped. “Cady’s wearing most of it.”

Everyone laughed. She tried to laugh.

“Cady?” Bianca asked softly.

She tore her gaze from Patton’s, her voice unsteady as she answered, “Hey. At least you get the cake you wanted. My dress was sacrificed for a worthy cause.”

“Oh, Cady.” Bianca laughed.

“I can get this.” Cady took the rag from Bianca. “Go be the bride-to-be. I’m going to find a bathroom.” She waved Bianca to her seat and headed to the back. But Patton stood in front of her, blocking her path and sending her heart into overdrive.

Locking eyes with her, he said, “Looks like you dove in front of the cake.”

“Um, yes, I did. I guess I panicked.” She couldn’t stop looking at him. “Did they really call you? Or are you just that good?”

He stared down at her, the corner of his mouth quirking up. “You should know the answer to that.”

And just like that, she was aching.

“You look good in pink.” His eyes swept over her. “But you look good in anything.”

His words warmed her. “I hate pink.” She stared down at the stain. “It was a pretty dress.”

He laughed.

She couldn’t help but smile then.

He smiled, but his gaze remained restless...searching. “I was going to call last night, but work kept me late and I didn’t want to wake you.” He offered her a glass of punch.

“Thank you.” She accepted the glass. His fingers brushed hers, eliciting all sorts of shivers and memories.

He stared at her hand, hard, his jaw clenching.

She took a slow breath. “You were going to call?”

“Dinner? With Hembrecht?” His voice was gravel, his gaze slamming into hers. “How’d it go?”

“Really well.” She smiled. He remembered. “He—”

“I think we’re about to open the mountain of presents,” Zach interrupted, joining them. “Sorry if you get a hand cramp.”

“Right, duty calls,” she said, glancing at Patton again. He was still staring at her. And it wasn’t as if he was trying to hide it. No, he looked at her as if...she was his. And it made her heart go crazy and her lungs desperate for air.

He nodded, his sudden smile so gorgeous she hesitated. She heard Zach’s “Take it down a little, Patton. This is a family event,” as she made her way to Bianca’s side. She couldn’t hold back the smile. At least he still wanted her. Too bad that wasn’t enough anymore.

She shoved thoughts of Patton and her disappointed heart aside. It was easy to get caught up in the excitement. Bianca was delighted, praising each and every gift and offering thanks the only way Bianca knew how—with hugs. Time and again, Cady sought out Patton. He seemed to be waiting for her, his smile warm and his gaze unwavering. If only she knew what he was thinking.

As th

e presents piled up, Cady listed every item and who it was from. She made little notes to help keep things straight, check duplicates and possible exchanges or returns. Like the very large glass pelican statue. Who wanted a large glass pelican statue?

She tried to keep her expression neutral, but when she saw Patton’s mystified expression, she couldn’t stop her giggle. He shook his head, his eyes lingering on her mouth. Even across the room, she felt the heat in his gaze.

It didn’t seem to matter that the room was full. Or that Bianca and Lucy and who knew who else was watching them... All that mattered was the way she felt, the hope his attention gave her. She didn’t know exactly how she was going to do it but, before the day was through, Patton Ryan was going to know how she felt about him.

* * *

“KEEP STARING, I’m not sure the old guy in the corner knows you and Cady are a thing.” Spence leaned against the wall beside him. “Nope, wait, I think he’s got it, too. Since you two can’t stop making eyes at each other.”