My Super-Hot Fake Wedding Date

“Sure.” She hurriedly handed me the crab cakes and turned her full attention back to the maid of honor, who was bursting out of her hot-pink gown in Claire’s direction.

The caterers, citing a broken oven, had arrived over two hours late. I noticed Madison wasn’t the only one swaying in her seat. The staff quickly set down more platters and I hopefully pushed a crab cake in Maddy’s direction. “Does this look good?”

“No, babe.” She slumped against my chest. “But you do.”

“Oh, wow. Maddy!” A woman I’d never seen before was suddenly upon us, her long dark hair swinging out behind her. “Are you okay? No, don’t answer that—you are not okay.” She turned to me. “We’re about three seconds from pukeville. Can you help me get her up?”

“Uh, yeah.”

The woman tucked a hair behind her ear and smiled. “I’m Josie, by the way.”

“Ah. The best friend. I’m Bob.” I patted Maddy’s hair. “Josie and I are going to take you to bed, okay?”

“Mmm.” She smiled and nestled against me. “Bed.” She cracked an eye open. “Did you say Josie? Aw, come here!”

She pulled Josie down and buried her face in her friend’s hair, inhaling deeply. “I’m so glad you’re here! My mom’s been such a c-word, but Bob is great—and wait, is the room spinning? Yay! I didn’t know they were having special effects!” But then she frowned. “Ackly, I don’t feel that good.”

“Nine-one-one,” Josie said. “Let’s move!”

“Come on, Maddy. Time to go.” I put my arms around her and carefully lifted her up.

“I’m sure Sienna doesn’t want her vomiting all over the farm table,” Josie said, grabbing Maddy’s other arm.

“As if!” Maddy snorted. “I’m a pro. Pros don’t vomit!” But as soon as the words left her mouth, her face puckered. “Can we please stop saying that word?”

I sped up my pace. “Of course. C’mon. I got you.”

We made it back to her room, deposited her on the bed, and Josie gave her some water. Maddy took one sip then lay back against the pillows, groaning. “I drank too much,” she moaned.

“I can take it from here.” Josie smiled at me. “She doesn’t do this often, but we’ve been friends since we were kids. I got her. It’s nice to meet you, by the way.” She giggled.

“It’s nice to meet you, too. But I can stay with her for a while. You just got here. You didn’t even have a chance to eat anything or say hello.”

Josie’s gaze flicked to Maddy, who was passed out on the bed in her form-fitting red gown. “You seem like a nice guy and all, but I don’t know you. That’s my best friend. I’m not leaving her alone with a man I just met.”

I nodded. “I respect that. Let me go get you a plate, and then y

ou’ll at least have something to eat. Sound okay?”

Josie smiled at me. “That sounds great. Thank you.”

I nodded my chin in Maddy’s direction. “You think she’ll be all right?”

Josie’s face brightened. “You know what? I think she’s going to be just fine. Maybe this weekend will turn out better than she thought.”

“I hope so.” As I hurried to get Josie some food, eager to please Maddy’s best friend, I realized that I meant it.

I meant it a lot.

Chapter Fourteen

MADISON

“Oh my God, my aching abs.” I dry-heaved again into the toilet.

“At least you’ll have some abdominal definition after this!” Josie said cheerfully as she patted my back.

“Did Bob see me throw up?” I didn’t really want to know the answer.