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"Really?"
She nodded. "I want to go to Maine. And I would like it if my husband flew me there."
A knot of desire, or maybe longing, twisted deep in my chest. Her husband. She was talking about me.
Because you paid her, you douche, I reminded myself.
"That's quite the leap of faith. Flying with someone so inexperienced."
She linked her hand through mine and leaned toward me conspiratorially. "It's not much more of a leap than marrying a complete stranger for money. Or agreeing to live with him for a whole year. And this seems to be working out all right."
I felt a large, stupid grin spread over my face. "It does, doesn't it?"
"Oh, will you two get a room?" A raucous voice called out from behind us.
I realized that Blake and I were holding hands, staring into each other's eyes. "Brace yourself," I told her.
"For what?"
I groaned. I could practically feel the ground shaking as he approached. "For my college roommate. Jake Ryan."
"The senator?" Blake asked, peering over my shoulder.
"The very same," Jake said, coming up and slapping me on the back with his big meat paw of a hand. He was a former college running back who'd recently leveraged his law degree, bigger-than-life personality, and huge physical presence into a seat as a Massachusetts senator.
"Ow," I said, brushing him off. "And hi. I wasn't sure if you were going to make it, Mr. VIP. I haven't seen you since Christmas."
Jake scrunched his handsome face into a mask of incredulity. "You think I'd miss your wedding? What kind of best friend do you think I am?"
"The kind who's a politician, too busy screwing others and sucking up to remember the little people."
"Can you please shut up, little person? And introduce me to this gorgeous, clearly insane woman who's agreed to marry you?" He turned to Blake, his eyes sparkling. "Come to Jake and give me a hug, girl! We're practically family now!"
Blake yelped as Jake turned his meat paws loose on her, clamping her and pulling her in for a crushing hug. He kissed the top of her head. "She smells good," he said to me, still holding her.
"I know. Please let go of her."
Jake released her and held her out for his inspection. He let out a low wolf whistle. "Damn, Lucas, you finally did something right!"
I karate-chopped his hands from Blake and stepped betwee
n them. "Paws off, Jake. And I know—she's fabulous. Now let's get on this plane and start drinking. The whole crew's coming."
Jake looked suddenly wary. "Who do you mean?"
I straightened myself and took Blake's hand protectively. "Serena. My father. Elizabeth. And Blake's bridesmaids."
"Serena? And Elizabeth? Fuck me," Jake said. His face turned hopeful as he looked at Blake. "Are any of the bridesmaids as hot as you?"
"No," I said quickly. "Besides, they are off-limits to you, Mr. Senator."
Jake turned back to me. "We're going to Vegas, dude. Are you going to be a buzzkill this whole trip?"
"Not if you pour me a bourbon before I have to face the firing squad."
Jake nodded solemnly. He understood. He'd known my family for years, and he'd been there for me when my mother died. He'd also been around during the entire shit show that was my father and Elizabeth. "Right. Let's do this. I'm going to need some liquid courage, too. Your sister scares the piss out of me."
We settled in the plane, each with a healthy pour of a drink, and Jake was asking Blake one thousand questions. He did that with new people. Cross-examination was the one thing he'd liked about practicing law. To my amusement, Blake answered his questions flawlessly, charming my burly best friend even as she lied to his face. I would tell him the truth about her and the bridesmaids eventually. But I couldn't risk him melting down in disbelief before my family even boarded the plane.
