My Super-Hot Fake Wedding Date

Josie spread the skirt of her gown out, smoothing it. “That’s not a bad thing.”

“No, it’s not. Except for the fact that his ex-girlfriend didn’t get married today and won’t stop calling him.”

She winced. “There’s that. Have you talked to him about it?”

“A little.” I drank more wine. “My father is with him at the moment.”

“Maybe they’re just talking about tennis.”

I handed her the bottle. “Yeah, right.”

“Okay, but let me ask you this: why do you seem sad?”

“I don’t know.” It was a good question, a fair one. “Claire said something to me that already had me rattled. She said that not only did she worry about the ex, but that Bob and I don’t really have that much in common. She said that when I finally do get out there, I should make sure it’s with the right guy because otherwise, I’m going to get burned.”

“And what do you think about that?” Josie really should’ve been a psychologist. She had a knack for helping me find the right answers without ever saying something that would sway my opinion or hurt my feelings.

“I think… I think she’s right, that I’m ready for a real relationship,” I said. “I asked Bob out because he was literally the only nice, single, decent-looking straight man I could rope into coming with me this weekend. But that doesn’t mean he’s the only nice guy left on the planet. I could meet someone else, someone who has a career like mine, who doesn’t have any baggage—like an ex who jilted her husband because she’s still in love with Bob.”

Josie tilted her head. “Of course you can meet someone else. That doesn’t mean you have to, not if Bob’s the one you want.”

“I think I probably should get out more.” I laughed hoarsely. “I do like him, though. A lot. But do you know how I felt when my mother told me his ex-girlfriend didn’t get married today?”

“How?”

“Sick.” I leaned forward, feeling it again. “Jealous. Scared. You only feel that way when you have something to worry about, right?”

“Well, I mean, maybe. But it’s sort of jarring news.”

“Yeah, I know.” I shrugged. “But since this wasn’t a real date anyway, I should probably get out while the getting’s good.”

Josie smiled at me. “Or you could give him a chance.”

“Yeah.” She handed the wine back to me and I clutched the bottle. “There’s always that.” The problem was, I had to be brave for that. Or even better, fearless.

“Have some more wine.” Josie patted my shoulder. “No matter what happens, I’ll always be your partner in wine.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now stop moping, girlfriend!” She wagged her finger at me until I laughed. “Your mother’s going to be too busy for the rest of the night to bother you, and you have a hot guy in there, waiting for you—no matter what you decide to do with him. And you have me and Claire, and Sienna’s not even being that big of a bitch tonight. So come on.” She hopped up and held out her arm for me. “Mope rhymes with nope. Happy rhymes with, with—aha!” She started to snap. “Snappy!”

“I don’t know if there’s enough wine for your rhymes.”

“Aw, of course there is. It’s an open bar.” Josie pulled me back into the tent, where the band had started playing. “C’mon, before I start rhyming again!”

Chapter Seventeen

BOB

“What I’m saying is, son, my crazy wife went and had Pryce call this lady friend of yours who was blowing up your phone. She confirmed it to him: she did not get married today. Repeat—”

I waved Art off. “I heard you the first time.”

“Well?” Maddy’s father watched me carefully. “What do you have to say about it?”

“I don’t… I don’t have anything to say about it, sir. And to be honest, I think it’s really inappropriate that you’re asking me like this. I’m here tonight with your daughter. This is your family celebration, a happy occasion. Why are you doing this?”

“Three reasons.” He grabbed two bourbons from a passing server and handed me one. “One, my wife told me to. You’ve met her, right? So that’s pretty self-explanatory. Two, I thought you liked my daughter. If I’m wrong about that, I need to know. And three”—he took a sip of his bourbon—“I wanted to see what your poker face looks like. Turns out, it’s pretty good. I can only imagine what you were thinking during tennis yesterday.”