Page 99 of Nothing to Tell

Roxie and Zairn had been nothing but wonderful; all Bastian’s friends were welcoming.

“Did you know they met on a talk show?”

“I did.”

“Have you seen it?It’s on the internet,” she said.“They didn’t interact much, but the look Rox gave him just before winning…” She laughed.“Let’s just say it wasn’t love at first sight.”

“Sometimes it works that way.”

“They argued the first time they interacted.”

“I’d heard.”

The legend must’ve traveled far.

“You don’t strike me as the type to gossip.Let me guess, Keely?”

He shrugged one shoulder.“Her and it came up at the wedding.”

Another duh moment.“That must’ve been a sight.Them at the altar.A real fairytale.I’m sorry I missed it.Not that I’d have been invited if—”

“There were more than a thousand people there.”

“So they invited everyone they know?Increases my chances, I guess.”

“Actually, no, there was some drama about people being left off the guest list.”

Something Roxie hadn’t mentioned.“Oh…” She made a sound of intrigue and twisted to rest a shoulder on the backrest, transfixed.“Tell me.”

“Oh, no, I don’t—Keely’s your bet for that.”So she was right about him absorbing rumors by osmosis.“Or Mom.I almost didn’t go to the wedding at all.”

“Why wouldn’t you go?”she asked.“Roxie loves you, she’s just… particular about sizing people up.”Men more than women in her limited experience.“You’ve known Zairn a long time.You didn’t want to support him?”

“Yeah, but it’s a wedding…”

“In your hotel.”Her cheeks plumped.“Were you worried about complaints?”

His dimple joined them.“No such thing at a Grand Hotel.”

“I believe you.”

“You ever have a complaint?”

“About the hotel?No.About the people you let in it…”

“Something I’m willing to change with your permission.Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see your ex stopped on the threshold.”

“I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.He’s the kind of man who should never cross your path.I’m sorry for putting him on it.”

“Forget about me.He’s not worthy of being near you, let alone…” His hand tightened under hers.“I struggle to see it.What in him appealed to you?”

“I struggle too.Maybe it was more of a situationship than anything emotional… I was never caught up in him.”

Never excited.Never sped her heart.Never touched every corner of her body with a single glance.Not like Bastian.He was more, a perfect man.A dangerous way to think; no one could live up to that, but, really, how could any woman not fall for him?

“Good.That’s something.I thought my family were bad, but…”

He glanced her way, their eyes lingered longer than they should.