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“Don’t you dare fuck with her.”
Derek looks worried. He should be.
I flash him a satisfied smirk and a mocking wave. “Enjoy your conference call.”
With a whistle, I leave. I’ve got a girl to win back and only a few days to do it. The good news is, I know exactly where to start…
* * *
Perrie
On the back patio, I try to absorb the blinding blue June day. I sandwich my phone between my ear and my shoulder, half listening to the caterer’s quote. “Uh-huh. I like that.”
I really have no idea what I’m agreeing with. I’m way too focused on what Hayden will do next.
During dessert the other night, he “accidentally” brushed against me a hundred times, until my body was aching, every nerve ending on fire.
When Derek and I retired to my childhood bedroom afterward, he wanted to talk about the move to Seattle and the future. I pleaded a headache, hopped into the shower, and masturbated through a trio of orgasms that left me wrung out and teary but distinctly unsatisfied.
Yesterday, I tried to focus on the details for this admittedly small but important event. The flowers were easy since I really only need a bouquet to carry and a few arrangements to line the trellised arch that will serve as the makeshift altar. I rented tables and chairs for roughly twenty-five people. I texted a few friends from both high school and college to invite them. But I still don’t have a dress, an officiant, a photographer, or a cake. I’ve got at least a hundred other details that need addressing. Derek is god knows where in the house, so it’s up to me to finish them, but I’m way too distracted to check anything off my list.
Why did I think this was a good idea?
“What?” I say to the caterer because I totally lost my train of thought to Hayden.
It happens a lot.
Thankfully, she offers to email her food suggestions and her quote, then we hang up. I’ll read everything when I’m more focused.
“Hi, sweet pea.” Hayden strolls up in ripped denim shorts and a tight tank that shows off the fact he works with his body for a living. The sun loves this man. The skin over his bulging muscles is a rich golden brown that reminds me exactly why I always looked forward to our days at the water park. Hayden in a bathing suit is a work of art.
I try not to drool. “Hey. You’re not working today?”
“I’d rather spend time with you. How’s the wedding planning?”
He knows exactly how to make me melt. “Slow.”
“Need help?”
I shoot him a suspicious glance. “Why? Two days ago, you told me I was marrying the wrong man. Changed your mind?”
“No. I just had a chat with Dipshit—I mean, Derek. I’m more convinced than ever that I’m right. By the way, he told me to tell you he can’t come with you to test cakes.”
I sigh. “We both worried this week would get crazy. He and his business partner are trying to wrap up a big negotiation before the move.”
“Business comes first. Got it.” Hayden shoots me a stare full of mock confusion. “I thought you didn’t want to marry someone like your father.”
He’s not wrong, but I don’t dare validate him now. “Did you come to pass judgment or to help?”
“To help. I’m all yours…”
The way he smiles tells me he doesn’t just mean to assist me in wedding planning, butanythingelse I want. I’d love to ask him about his relationships and sex life…but I can’t say in one breath that I’m not interested and get personal in the next.
“Thanks. Know a good photographer or officiant?”
That perks him up. “Actually, yeah. My sister moved here last year. I don’t know if Dan told you…”
“No, but I doubt she wants to shoot my wedding pictures. That’s way below her pay grade.”
