The Best Man (Alpha Men 2)

His staff was gone for the day, and Spencer was just finishing up a few last-minute e-mails before heading home when his phone beeped. He tensed before looking at it, sure that it would be Daff bailing on tonight. He breathed a small sigh of relief when he saw his brother’s name on the screen. Swiping his thumb across the screen to unlock the phone, his brow immediately furrowed when he saw the message.

Daff has a man. Know about it? Maybe an eighth for the stag?

Shit.

He thought about it for a second before replying.

How the fuck would I know about it? I’m not her bestie. She doesn’t braid my hair and tell me all her secrets.

He watched as Mason typed and typed and typed and then finally rang. His brother didn’t have the patience to send long texts.

“Yes?” Spencer snapped.

“Come on, Spence,” Mason said without any of the usual niceties. “You’ve been spending time with her lately. Hasn’t she dropped any hints?”

“We discussed the wedding and the party plans.”

“Aren’t you even curious about it?” Mason sounded surprised. “I figured you would be, since you’ve got the hots for her.”

“Not anymore.” Spencer contemplated the elephant stain on his ceiling, hoping lightning wouldn’t strike him down where he sat.

“Apparently she has him listed as the Dick on her phone. And she actually has a picture of a cartoon penis in a top hat as his profile pic.”

Spencer swallowed back a surprised laugh, wondering what fit of pique had led her to do that.

“No shit?” He could barely keep the laughter out of his voice.

“And he sends her lunch.”

“How do you know all of this? Has she mentioned this guy to Daisy?” Maybe paving the way to reveal their relationship to her family? Spencer felt an elated bubble of hope in his chest at the thought. That would be pretty terrific.

“Daisy was there when lunch was delivered.”

“Oh. And what did she tell Daisy about the guy?” Spencer asked, refusing to let go of that hope.

“Said she just needed him for his dick.”

The bubble burst into a million sad little pieces, and Spencer glared at his ceiling. He shouldn’t have asked.

“Then why do you think she’d even want him at the party?”

“I just figured it would pad the numbers. And according to Daisy, Daff does seem a bit starry-eyed over the guy, even if she denies it.”

“Yeah?” The bubble reformed, and Spencer sat up straighter in his chair.

“I told Daisy she was probably reading too much into it, but she wants her sisters to be happy and she worries about Daff.”

“It’s probably better not to interfere—you know how Daff can be. And honestly, we’re starting to sound like gossipy old women, so I’d rather not speculate any further,” he said firmly, and Mason chuckled.

“True. I think spending so much time with Daisy and her sisters has had an adverse effect on me. I’m way too involved with the gossip and the other chick stuff.”

“You need a guy’s night out.”

“Tomorrow night?” Mason asked hopefully, and Spencer briefly thought about Daff, wondered if she’d miss him if they didn’t spend a night together, and then grimaced. She wouldn’t care. He knew that. They didn’t have that kind of relationship.

Yet.

“Tomorrow night sounds fine. Tell your fiancée not to expect you back till the early hours of Saturday morning.”

“Awesome.”

Spencer was heading for his 4×4 when he saw her again, the young girl from the other night. She appeared to be loitering by his car, and when she saw him she immediately hastened away in the opposite direction. Spencer swore and increased his speed in an attempt to catch up with her. She was wearing the same huge jeans with a different shirt and a jacket that looked too thin to keep her warm in this weather.

“Hold up,” he called as he darted after her. She was moving so fast that she was practically jogging now. “Charlie. Hey. Stop.” He had a longer stride and caught up with her in just a few steps, taking hold of her thin elbow in the process.

“I didn’t steal anything,” the kid growled in frustration as she tried to yank her elbow from his grip.

“I didn’t think you did,” Spencer appeased, letting go of her and backing off a couple of steps to give her more space. She looked torn between running and staying, and he could see her trying to assess the situation and figure out if he was a threat. He backed up another step, keeping his hands in sight all the time. She relaxed marginally.

“I just wanted to talk.”

“About?” she asked warily.

“Wanted to know if we’ll see you on Monday?” Her smooth brow furrowed, and she shrugged.

“Dunno.” Now that he knew she was a girl, he could see why she disguised herself. She was quite pretty and, because of her circumstances, obviously felt the need to downplay that.