Page 111 of Filthy Twisted Devil

I’ve put together the first sample table, with linens and the centerpiece ready to go. I’ve chosen hazy glass vases full of wildflowers and prairie grass, set on inch-tall round wood slices with the bark still around the sides. I gesture for Brinley to join me.

“So this is what the tables will look like, obviously minus the plates and glassware,” I tell her. “If there’s anything about it that you don’t like, we still have time to make changes.”

She raises her brows. “We do?”

I laugh. “Well, small changes. Like if you wanted to take out one or two flowers, we could do that. That’s about it, unless you want me on the phone with the linen company until midnight.”

She puts her head on my shoulder. “Don’t worry. It’s perfect. I have no notes.”

“Good. For the record, keep telling me that. I can’t get enough praise for my planning.”

“I promise to give you so many compliments, it gets weird.” Brinley laughs.

“What about me?” Beau asks. “I need compliments, too!”

Brinley heads to his side and wraps her arms around him. “Aw, baby, you’re doing a great job screwing in table legs. Keep going. I love a man with a tiny little screwdriver.”

I feel someone’s eyes on me, and when I turn around, it’s not a surprise to find Luke watching me. He really seems to like how my legs look in these jeans, so I make sure to put on a show for him. I drop my clipboard, and bend over to pick it up, angling my ass toward Luke. When I stand up, he’s looking slightly dazed.

I’m not used to having this effect on men. Even when I was a camgirl, I never felt sexy, like I held a man’s desire in the palm of my hand. After last night, it’s different.

After a moment, he strolls across the barn toward me. “Hey, Eden. I’m finished with the lights. What do you want me to do next?”

I glance down at my clipboard. “Why don’t you fold the programs? The box is over at that table.”

“You mean he gets to sit down?” Beau complains. “I’ve been on my feet all day, and I’m the groom!”

“Yeah, no fair that he gets the easy job,” Ryan says. “Guess I should have fake dated you, too.”

“What do you mean, ‘fake dated?’” Wade asks, and the world seems to freeze in place.

Our friends have been teasing Luke and I all morning, but not in front of my brothers. I sent the three of them out a few minutes ago to move the empty furniture truck, which is why Ryan didn’t check himself. Apparently, they finished quickly or Wade hung back.

Fuck. We’re screwed.

Ryan’s face turns white as a sheet. “I-I mean dated her.”

My brother doesn’t buy it. His eyes sweep over the room, and there’s no hiding how horrified all our friends are. He glares at me.

“What the hell are they talking about?” he asks, in the level way that I know means he’s furious.

I force myself to laugh. “Just an inside joke. It would sound stupid if I explained.”

Wade just glares at Luke. “I’d like a word with you. Outside. Now.”

To his credit, Luke straightens his shoulders and nods. He follows Wade out the front door and shuts it behind them. I stare at the closed door, my chest tight. I can’t breathe. I’m frozen in this moment, surrounded by my friends and the reception I designed, while my life falls apart.

Ryan captures the mood in the room when he mutters, “Fuck.”

Pippa shushes him. “Quiet! Eden’s going to go listen.”

She gestures for me to go over to the door, snapping me out of my frozen state. She’s right. This conversation is about me, so I deserve to hear it. James touches my arm as I head toward the door.

“Are you sure listening in is a good idea?” he says in a low voice.

I ignore him and keep walking to the door. Whatever’s happening is my business. I have every right to eavesdrop.

“So you think it’s funny?” Wade’s asking, anger radiating from each word. “You and your friends just laugh about this fake relationship? About how you lied to my face?”