"What?"
"Your burning hatred for hockey players had to start somewhere. I've got brothers, and if I ever snap, I'm sure they'll be the cause of it, so I can see your brother being the reason for your feminine rage against his profession."
She rolls her eyes at me, but she can't hide the tiny smile flickering at her lips. "He annoys me the usual amount. And I never said I had a burning hatred for hockey players or a feminine rage against his profession. Hasn't anyone ever told you not to listen to random gossip?"
"So you don't dislike hockey players?"
"Never said that either."
I laugh quietly, amused. She's not giving anything away, is she? "Point taken. What did you mean?"
"What?"
"When you insulted me."
"I did not insu…" She breaks off with a groan. "Fine, maybe Iunintentionallyinsulted you, but that isn't what I meant."
"What did you mean?"
"Harlan had you and Tye to choose between. Sophie says you're all close. How did he land on you as the best man? Did he draw straws or something?"
"Nah," I say with an amused grin, "he made the only logical choice."
"The only logical choice?" she asks.
"I'm assuming you've met Tye?"
"Yes, a few times."
"Then you've probably clocked that he's currently a raging psychopath because Vanessa is pregnant," I say with a shrug. It's not mean if it's true. As soon as he found out she was pregnant, he lost his damn mind. "But I'm a personable motherfu…" I break off, glancing around. Everyone is out of earshot, but still. Maybe I should rein in the cursing while we're inside the church. Seems like the right thing to do. "I'm not liable to flip out and cause a scene. And people like me." I pause, holding her gaze. "I mean,mostpeople like me. Obviously, present company is excluded."
"I never said I didn't like you!" she protests with a laugh that's half snort, half annoyed groan. It's cute as hell.
"So, you do want to run away and marry me."
"What?" Her eyes widen.
"I said, so you do agree that I'm the best man for the job," I lie. Why? I have no idea. I think I like the way she looks at me as if she isn't sure what to make of me. If she really is averse to hockey players, I need to keep her guessing. The more unexpected I am, the less time she has to get her guard up before she ever gets to know me.
"Uh-huh," she says carefully. "I just bet that's what you said."
"It is. Why? Did you hear something else?"
She stares at me for a protracted moment, almost like she's trying to decide if she wants to repeat what I actually said, or if she thinks she'll just sound unhinged, and then seemingly decides not to risk it. "Nope, guess not," she mutters.
"Didn't think so." I wink at her. "See you later, beautiful."
"Beautiful?" she whispers behind me as I stroll away. "Beautiful?"
I chuckle to myself as she splutters and stutters.
Maybe there's hope for my love life, after all.
Chapter Two
Tia
Asking a klutz to walk down an aisle in front of dozens of people in heels is a disaster waiting to happen. Trust me. I'm the disaster.
