Escorting the Groom (The Escort Collection 4)

Which they did, all too soon.

"Keep the drinks coming," I told the flight attendant lowly. "And make sure you hit the three of us first."

"Serena, Elizabeth, Mr. Ford." Jake beamed at them like the master politician he was. "So wonderful to see you!"

"Jake." Serena wiped herself off after he released her from a bear hug. "I was hoping you couldn't make it."

"Aw, Serena, you haven't changed a bit." Jake pinched her cheek until her eyes started to water. "Let's see if we can get you to loosen up a little this weekend, huh? I remember you used to like to party…"

Serena pulled back and gave Jake a filthy look, her face reddening. There had been one night in college that I'd caught the two of them making out. I would encourage Jake to try that again this weekend, but I'd already made other arrangements for my sister.

Just then, the bridesmaids appeared—Nikki, Christie, and Helena. "Yay!" Blake said, popping up. "My girls are here!"

"Blakey!" Nikki pranced over to her and pulled her in for a hug. She was wearing a crop top and what looked suspiciously like a cheerleader skirt. Christie had on the tightest jeans I'd ever seen. Helena wore a skintight dress and spiked high heels.

"This is awesome," Jake said, staring at Blake's friends. My father looked positively gleeful, too. Christ.

"Don't touch them," I warned Jake. "I'll explain later."

"You've gotta be fucking kidding me, dude." He spoke low enough that my family couldn't hear.

"I'm not kidding," I said. "The buzzkill continues."

Serena was aghast as she watched Blake and the bridesmaids. "Who are they?"

I smiled, suddenly feeling excited. "Blake's friends. Her bridesmaids."

"They must work in marketing." According to my sister's tone, marketing was a seriously filthy business.

I nodded. "Yeah, I think they do."

My sister grabbed the flight attendant as she passed. "I need another drink. Make it a double."

"Me too," said Jake, checking out Nikki and her cheerleader skirt with longing.

"Me too," I said. I watched the spectacle and rubbed my hands together with glee. I was probably going to enjoy this weekend more than I should.

Chapter Twelve

Blake

We were all staying at The Warner, which was arguably Vegas's most upscale hotel. The wedding was scheduled in one of its private courtyards for six o'clock the following evening. I practically staggered through the lobby, awed by the opulence that surrounded me. I'd never been to Vegas before, and I was completely unprepared for the spectacle.

The hotel was enormous, with soaring ceilings and chandeliers. And there were colorfully decorated trees inside. "Those are real trees," I whispered to Nikki as we traipsed through the lobby.

"I know, right? Vegas is the coolest. It's like Disneyworld for adults!" She adjusted her crop top and looked around. "What're we doing tonight?"

"Huh?" I was still gawking at the trees and all the pretty, twinkling lights.

Nikki twisted her ponytail around her finger and smiled at me indulgently. "I asked you what we were doing tonight. But what I should have said is that I'm really happy for you. Lucas is gorgeous." She looked around then conspiratorially leaned toward me. "And he actually seems nice."

That pulled me from my reverie. "He's very nice." I smiled at my friend. "And we're having dinner tonight, all of us, at some steak house. I think it's pretty formal." I eyed her cheerleader skirt.

She smoothed it and winked at me. "I got the message, your highness. I'll clean myself up. Elena made me promise to be on my best behavior."

"And I'm sure you will be."

"What about… them?" She jerked her head in the direction of Elizabeth, Franklin, and Serena Ford. They were speaking pointedly to a concierge, seemingly oblivious to the impressive lobby.