“Good idea about putting him on flowers, though.”
“Sure, but Maverick is going to kill me.”
He winced. “You’re gonna owe him one.”
“Nope.” I stood and slipped on my coat. “Youare gonna owe him one. But I’m sure you’ll think of something to thank him properly.”
“When do I get to thank you properly?” he murmured in what I’d come to recognize as his seductive tone.
“You’ll think of something,” I said playfully.
“I’m already thinking of lots of things,” he said, eyes hot. “Meet you back at my place?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
CHAPTER 20
Bryson
“You’re getting married!”Audrey squealed, throwing out her arms to tackle Caitlyn in a hug that was almost violent.
Three more women followed, piling on Caitlyn and jumping around while laughing and crying. I hoped she didn’t suffocate in there. Who would wear all the pretty dresses, then?
Silas would probably rock a bridesmaid’s dress, though. There didn’t seem to be anything that man couldn’t do.
Our older brother, Bolton, and Bran’s college roommate, Reece, stepped into the foyer of my brother’s house, wearing smirks as they watched the women’s theatrics.
Bolton clapped my brother on the shoulder. “Good to see you, Bryson.”
“I’m Branson,” he protested.
“I know.” He chuckled. “You can’t fool me anymore.” He drew up next to me. “Beware. There’s incoming.”
“What—”
“Bry!” Christian hurled himself into my arms, making me stumble backward a step. “You look so great! Damn, this week should befuuun.”
I disentangled myself from my ex-boyfriend, which wasn’t easy because he kept trying to cling. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, gosh, I didn’t mean to take you by surprise.” He widened his big brown eyes. That innocent Bambi look had been a powerful weapon in his arsenal when we were dating. I wasn’t falling for it now. I took another step back. “I’m filling in for Alex. He got horribly sick with food poisoning right before the flight.”
Branson turned, brow furrowed. “You didn’t have to do that, Chris. We could have found someone here to step up.”
“But I’m his size. I have his tux all ready to go. And I wanted to come see Bryson, anyway. Win-win, right?”
Branson looked as if he didn’t know what to say. I glanced at Caitlyn, glowing with happiness. As much as I didn’t want my ex here, I couldn’t ruin her wedding with needless drama.
I forced a smile. “That was very thoughtful of you.”
So thoughtful it was almost manipulative. But then, Christian always had been good at maneuvering situations to his own liking. At least, until I’d walked in and caught him getting a blowjob from his personal assistant, Marco. No amount of fast talking could erase that image from my brain.
“So, is Alex okay?” Branson asked. “Did someone check on him?”
“I sent my new PA, Janet, over there,” Christian said, pulling out his phone. “She sent me a text that he’s resting. She took him some chicken noodle soup and Gatorade, and she’s making sure he stays hydrated.”
“Sounds like a good PA,” I said neutrally.
“I fired Marco months ago. He was a bad influenceon me. I’m trying to focus on what’s really important these days. Like being there for my friends.”
