Page 40 of The Wedding Situation Romance

“So much money,” I shake my head.

“Weddings be like that,” he muses, but I don’t find it funny. It’s nuts. “So I gotta ask. Do you really think you’re going to make it?”

“What are you talking about?” I ask as we wait at a crosswalk for the light to turn.

“I’m talking about this whole wedding date thing. Do you really think you can survive another two weddings?”

“It’s not like I have a choice. I have to be at the weddings, you know that,” I say.

“Well yeah, but with her? It seems like she pushes your buttons pretty hard,” he says.

“She is infuriating. But nothing I can’t handle,” I answer, and the light turns. “Your lack of faith in my ability to do so is a bit disappointing.”

“Oh, I don’t question your ability to handle her. You’re pretty good at dealing with difficult people, obviously,” Drew says, and there’s something under his tone I’m not loving.

“Okay, so what is it you’re questioning?” I ask.

“Your ability to not give in,” he grins, and if we weren’t literally in the process of crossing a New York City street with twelve seconds remaining, I would have come to a complete halt.

“Give in to what?” I snap once we are back on the sidewalk.

“To her,” he says, like it’s obvious. “Come on, Reid. No one actually buys that your banter is just for show. Even if you’re not really dating her, you kind of are. And even if you don’t intend to fall in love with her, it doesn’t mean you won’t.”

“I am not having this conversation,” I say, and Drew’s grin dials back to a smirk, which almost pisses me off more because it’s quietly cocky.

“Just because you’re not having the conversation doesn’t mean you’re not fucked,” he dares to jab, and I shoot him a look.

“You’re going to be fucked in a second if you don’t back up,” I say, and Drew just laughs. He’s the only one who can push me like this and get away with it. Although he’s walking on thin ice right now.

“I’m just saying you can’t fake chemistry, brother. Or attraction. Trust me. I’ve been there…twice.”

“Yeah, twice. Because you fucked it up the first time. Hopefully, that’s not the case again.”

I am attempting to get a jab in because he’s pissing me off. But Drew isn’t fazed. Not only is he used to my shit, but Cassidy has her nails deep, and I’ve known since the beginning that even a spectacular lawyer can’t convince him otherwise.

Which is why we are here, at Tie the Knot, getting ready to suit up.

“Listen,” he says as we approach the storefront, “I get how you feel. My first relationship was catastrophic; you remember. You were there with Jenny. And I thought that was it. Until I met Cassidy. Everyone thinks the person who broke their heart was endgame until they meet the one who will end the game. And along with that, they end the heartache, the pessimism, the hopelessness, the loneliness.”

“I’m not lonely,” I say. “And I can keep this up. I’m a lawyer. Keeping up an act is what I do.”

“Yeah, when it’s other people's lives. This is your life. And your heart,” Drew reminds me.

“My heart isn’t in it,” I say flatly.

“No, only your time and energy and everything else,” he scoffs. “Are you going to sleep with her?”

“Of course not…” I answer. Because I am honoring that part of the agreement. But I also decided to leave out what wehavedone.

“Good,” he tells me. “That would just lead to trouble. Especially if you don’t want to fall in love with her.”

And that, of course, is not going to happen. Quinn and I have a perfectly configured game plan. As far as I’m concerned, I am in complete control.

I open the door with that absolution, and then I stopped; frozen in my tracks. It’s like the words have been sucked clean out of my mouth or out of my brain for that matter. Because in front of me, the moment I walk into the bridal shop, is a stage surrounded by mirrors. And standing right in the middle of that stage is none other than Quinn in a stark white wedding gown.

For a moment, we just stare at each other. Quinn is doe-eyed, blinking like she’s trying to figure out if I’m real or if she’s dreaming. I know this because I am doing the same. I know why I am here, but why the hell is she here? And why is she wearing a wedding gown?

Meanwhile, Drew puts two and two together, and so does a woman standing next to Quinn. The woman is also wearing a wedding dress, but it’s much more subtle. Much less jaw-dropping.