Page 93 of Weddings, Revenge & Fake Dating

My hand falls away, and I tuck the sheet tight around Dex’s body.

“You know, you’re very brave and smart. Not for smashing your head on a staircase, that part was epically clumsy,” I say teasingly.

Dex laughs.

“You’re smart for realizing your parents’ relationship wasn’t working. You’re brave for wanting us to move on. You’ve been right about a lot of things, and I should have listened. The thing you may not realize, though, is you and Grandma are the most important people in my world. Got it?”

“Tell me more,” he says, grinning.

“As for Dad, he’s kind of a shart-cracker.”

“Continue.” Dex’s lip quirks.

“We’re never getting back together,” I say honestly and squeeze his hand for assurance.

“Good, because I like Nathan. He’s way cooler.”

“Nathan is way cooler, but that may not work either.”

“You don’t like him?” Dex sets his pudding cup on his food tray.

“Oh, I like him. Way too much. Like, way.” I gesture like I’m wrapping my arms around the entire world. “But with that amazing feeling comes the unknown. That part scares me.”

“I feel exactly the same,” a deep voice chimes in.

With a stiff back, I turn slowly.

Nathan stands in the doorway with his hands shoved into his jeans pockets. My heart pounds like a bass drum at the sight of him here.

He’s never looked as sexy as he does right now, sun-bronzed skin against his white T-shirt, and his hair tangled in a sultry and sleepy way that makes me want to rake my fingers through it. But most importantly, he’s here for my kid when he should be on his way to LA for the biggest career break of his life, and that’s the sexiest thing of all.

I swallow and stand. Our gazes meet.

“Look who I found in the lobby,” Mom says as she squeezes past him.

Dex smirks like he knew Nathan was listening all along. With a vending-machine coffee cup in his hand, it’s clear Nathan was here before me, and he’s already up to speed on Dex’s midnight adventures.

Mom kisses Dex on the cheek. First, she checks over his body. Then, when she doesn’t find anything wrong, she play-smacks his hand.

“What’s that for?” Dex asks.

“That’s for cock-blocking me. Chef Gordon and I were hitting it off when I got Freddie’s message.” She pouts and flops into a big chair beside his bed.

“Better luck next time,” I say.

“You think I left without his number?” She looks at me like I’m crazy.

“We can double-date. I got his daughter’s digits.” Dex waves his phone. They high-five like wingmen.

“Good job, team.” Nathan claps and approaches the bed. “But let’s keep the rave dancing to a minimum from here on out.”

“There won’t be time for dates or dancing. After your wedding duties, we’re flying home,” I say to remind Dex.

“All good. I want to start writing my cookbook first anyway. It will impress Eileen.”

Nathan and Dex exchange one of their secret handshakes. Dex’s features light up when Nathan asks him details about this new cookbook project.

Their easy interactions shouldn’t surprise me. Since the moment they met, Nathan’s shown interest in Dex’s hobbies, complimented him, and advised him on life. Not only has he been a good influence, but he came here in the middle of the night when Dex needed him most. Meanwhile, Dex’s father isn’t even here.