Just for This Moment (Wishful 4)

Myles doubted that. “Oh?”

“Some new information has come to light that might change things.”

Translation: I have things to say to you that I’m not going to say in front of the others.

Fine.

They slid out of the booth and headed for the patio door.

Tucker rounded on him as soon as they stepped outside. “What the hell, Myles? When I said that about Vegas, I was making a joke. I did not intend for you to go out and propose to one of my closest friends in the name of getting access to the money.”

Here was the objection he’d been braced for.

He kept his voice even. “My relationship with Piper is none of your business.”

“What relationship? You don’t have a relationship. Or you didn’t before a week and a half ago. I don’t care what she said about you dating in secret. I’ve known Piper all my life. I know when she’s lying.”

No sense in contradicting him. “Can you blame her? She’s already had to deal with both our families losing their shit. She really didn’t want to deal with it from y’all, too.”

Tucker stared. “Is that supposed to make me feel better? I swear to God, if I wasn’t bound by attorney-client privilege, I’d be telling her exactly what was behind this grand gesture.”

Though he’d expected this, Myles found himself pissed off that someone else who called him friend would think he’d use Piper in the name of saving his own ass.

“There’s nothing you can tell her that she doesn’t already know. I told her everything. Including your joke about Vegas. I never dreamed she’d suggest we get married.”

Tucker’s mouth fell open, his head of steam escaping as his assumptions got turned upside down. Myles had to feel a little bit of gratification at seeing the other man speechless, when he’d been so certain who was in the wrong.

Tucker shoved a hand through his blond hair and heaved a sigh. “We’re talking about the woman who convinced me to fake a broken leg so Brody had to step in as understudy and Tyler would have to talk to him again. Piper loves lunatic schemes.”

“I know. It’s one of my favorite things about her.”

“But you should have said no, not gone and put a ring on her finger. She’s made it through life this far without one of her plans blowing up on her because she had the rest of us to be voices of reason.”

“I’d think the ring would go a fair way toward proving that I’m serious about this, about her.”

“For all I know, it’s just an expensive prop.”

Temper stirred and Myles lost some of the calm. “That ring is a family heirloom and not something I’d give to someone I didn’t want or expect to keep as my wife.”

Again with the speechlessness. Tucker’s expression shifted to a consideration that made Myles hope he never faced the man from the witness stand.

“I hope that’s true. I hope the whole thing works out for both of you. Because if I find out that you’ve done this purely as a means of accessing that trust, I’m going to break you in half.”

Myles shot him a humorless smile. “I suppose this is a bad time to ask you to be my best man.”

Tucker blinked at him. “Are you serious?”

“You’re one of the best friends I’ve made since I moved here, and I know it would mean a lot to Piper to have you stand up there with us.”

Tucker laced his hands behind his head and paced away. “Way to make me feel like an asshole.”

“Same goes. But you’re looking out for Piper. I’m not going to be offended by that—much—since I’d do the same damned thing in your position.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Look. I know this is completely insane. We both know that’s Piper’s specialty. But if it reassures you at all, I’m absolutely crazy about her. Have been from the moment I auditioned with her. And I swear to you I will do everything in my power not to fuck this up. The last thing I’d ever want to do is hurt her. Besides, being best man will give you a front row seat and opportunity to kick my ass if you think I’m out of line.”

He laughed. “Then I guess I’m getting fitted for a tux.”