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“So, if I come with you guys tonight, then I want to use this time wisely,” I say, leaning against the wall.
“What do you mean?” Briar asks while putting on her earrings.
“I mean that I want you two to do as I say.”
Her eyebrows lift. Caleb glances my way with a furrowed brow.
“You know my mother will be there, right?”
I let out a laugh. “Then I’ll be sure to keep it discreet.”
He makes his way toward me, his eyes on my tie. Once we’re toe to toe, he undoes the messy job I did (which I had to watch on a YouTube video) and begins to retie it. My eyes are on his face as he does, breathing in the scent of his cologne.
“We asked you to help us spice up our marriage,” he says calmly as he tightens the knot around my neck.
“Yes, you did,” I reply.
His eyes lift and meet mine. “Then I guess that means we’ll do whatever you say.”
My heart hammers in my chest as we stare at each other for another moment. Then he steps away and I suddenly feel too hot for this tuxedo.
It takes them about fifteen more minutes to get ready, and soon, we’re climbing into Caleb’s SUV and on our way to the event. I can’t help the nerves that settle in my bones. I don’t belong here. I don’t belong with a happily married couple, regardless of how comfortable I feel with them.
I’m the infiltrator, the third wheel, the home-wrecker.
I feel like I’m stuck in some gray area. I’m here to help a couple with intimacy issues, but at the same time…I mean something to them. They mean something to me.
Fuck, it could be more than that. I find myself so drawn to Caleb. I want to smother that broody, pensive nature of his just to see his disarming but rare smile.
And Briar—what a surprise she turned out to be. I want to be around her all the time. I want to know everything in her mind and see her kneel for me as if I’m worthy of her.
When we reach the event, I stay close to them. They walk in, hand in hand, while I trail behind. The event is nothing like I expected. Everyone is dressed up, but the energy in the room is more relaxed and fun than I thought it would be.
Immediately, we’re greeted by Melanie at the door. She’s wearing a silver gown and a bright smile. How this woman maintains such a positive and warm personality through everything, I’ll never know.
She gives me a tight hug and seems genuinely happy to see me there, which isnice. Most people are only excited to see me in work settings, and that’s never personal. This feels personal.
I really shouldn’t get used to this.
After entering the ballroom, we head straight for the bar. Sage and Adam are hovering nearby with Caleb’s brother, Lucas.
“Hey!” Sage says with enthusiasm. She moves toward me first as if we’re kindred spirits, a couple of outsiders who need to stick together. “I’m so glad you came!” She squeals as she pulls me into a hug.
She’s wearing a tight black sequin dress that seems far too sexy and revealing for an event like this. But she owns it, as Sage so often does.
I notice the way Adam reaches for her, even as he’s talking to Caleb, as if he can’t stand her stepping away from him for only a second. When he turns to greet me, he’s not nearly as tense or resentful as I expected after the incident at his mother’s house.
“Glad you could make it,” he says cheerfully as he puts out a hand for me to shake.
“Thanks for having me,” I reply.
He claps me on the shoulder and gives me a tight smile. Adam reminds me of a congressman, but like an edgy one who definitely has a very kinky, sexy side. And it’s not even that hidden if you come to the club on the right night.
Sage and Adam get called away, and I stand around awkwardly as Briar and Caleb chat with Lucas. I’m only one drink in and I’m starting to feel antsy. Nothing is really happening. Everyone is standing around chatting and we’re there nearly an hour before we make it to our seats and they start serving food.
During dinner, Melanie takes the stage and makes a speech about the charity. She keeps it short and casual, using her quirky humor and pretty smile to keep the crowd light and happy.
Briar is sitting on my left, and halfway through our meal, I feel her hand brush my leg. Swallowing, I glance her way, doing my best not to draw attention. She doesn’t do much more than that, although I wouldn’t turn down the idea of getting a hand job under the table. Instead, she touches me affectionately as if to say she’s glad I’m here. That I matter to her.
