Page 6 of Mr. Risky

Chapter Two

April, two years ago

Everyone wondered why the hell Pippa had wanted so badly to get married in April. It was still fucking freezing outside, so cold that we were all shivering at the wedding practice.

Where had this guy even come from? her rich friends all whispered.

Who had even heard of him before he took a job as the line cook at the Salty Dog Café?

But I knew the main reason she had moved so fast.

Pippa was head over heels in love with Granger. Had been ever since the first day she came to the café to “visit me,” but in reality to see the man I had a crush on.

I remembered how Pippa had been so full of jokes and laughter, teasing me about the crush I couldn’t hide and all the information she’d dragged out of me.

Who was this guy? I was 24 and he was 30, wasn’t that weird? 30 was way too old for me. How could I like a line cook? Wasn’t he always covered in grease? How could he be good enough for me?

He’s different, I told her. He said we had a connection.

All those words had died on her lips the moment she’d seen him.

Pippa always got everything she wanted. She wanted Granger, and she’d gotten him.

And here I was at the end of their wedding practice dinner.

To stave off the cold, she had hired a rock band and karaoke was planned. Everyone was making toasts and dancing.

But I desperately wanted to know what had changed. What had made Granger drop all his interest in me, all those lazy evenings after work with our fiddle and flute on the beach, for Pippa?

I knew it was too late. He was getting married tomorrow.

Sometimes there was no rhyme or reason for who you fell in love with, and I would just have to accept that.

But I couldn’t resist one, just one tiny glance over at him. Because how could you take your eyes off this man?

He was dressed so differently than his usual line cook uniform, with that collared white shirt and those navy-blue slacks.

Is this what he was going to look like when he married her?

Like a starched-up, proper businessman? Not someone who had a wicked glint in his eye? Who moved like a drifter, who had that big d walk?

Our eyes met, and my stupid self couldn’t help flushing with embarrassment. And, even then, I couldn’t look away.

I felt my lips part, my face heat, and it had nothing to do with the glass of champagne.

Because he did something to me, and I had never been able to shake that feeling. Not when he started to date her and not when he put a ring on her finger. Even though I knew it was wrong.

I couldn’t stop loving him, even though it was desperate, embarrassing.

There was a small smile playing on his lips and I felt tingles consume my whole body.

Look away, idiot! I silently screamed at myself. He’s your best friend’s fiancé!

And then Granger jerked his head.

Such a small movement that at first I couldn’t believe he had done it at all.

I kept staring at him.