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"So, what's up?"
"I have all of you guys on the list for groomsmen, but apparently, I have to choose one for best man. So I immediately thought of you because I know you aren't going to embarrass me."
I laughed. "That's an honor, man. Of course. Whatever you need."
"There's one other thing," he replied, giving me a toothy grin.
I sat up in the chair. "Oh boy, the Daniel special smile. I'm not about to like what you're going to tell me, am I?"
He chuckled. "I haven't told the guys yet, but I insisted on having a joint bachelor/bachelorette party. I want it to be classy, and I don't want Sicily worrying because Chase and Brad bring fifty hookers to a hotel room. That's not really my style anyway."
I winced. "They're not gonna like that. But I'm fine with it. I wasn't looking forward to a shit show in Vegas or a dirty back alley brothel in LA. So, does that mean I have to do something for it?"
"Yeah, well, Sicily and her maid of honor, Amber, have some ideas. They're pretty good ones, but Sicily wants you to work with Amber on it, so it's not a bridal shower with the guys standing in the background."
Shit. I got roped in.
"Alright," I said begrudgingly. "Amber, that's the sarcastic barbie doll one, right?"
Daniel chuckled. "Funny, she called you the asshole roughneck with the biker boots."
"At least she is quick," I replied.
Daniel shrugged, his phone ringing. He looked at the screen and stood up. "She's cooler than you might think. But I'll have her call you and set up a time to talk. I gotta take this."
I nodded and forced a smile as he walked out of the office. As soon as the door was closed behind him, my smile faded. I really thought I was going to get through the thing with a bourbon in my hand and some pretty bridesmaids to watch boogying down on the dance floor. But Daniel was, out of all the guys, closer to me than the others. He knew more about my past, and I knew I could trust him. I wanted the whole wedding thing to be relaxed and easy for him. I just didn't think I would have to do it with the A-woman on the pedestal. I was going to have to buy a ladder to get up there with her.
I looked at my watch and clicked off the computer, grabbing my leather jacket from behind my chair. One thing about working in R&D was that we didn't hang out after hours. We were done when the clock said five. I had stayed my fair share of overnights with the company, but when I had nothing left on the books and all my prep for the meeting the next day was done, I took full advantage.
Heading out of the office, I nodded at the receptionist by the elevator and put my key in, heading down to the garage. I pulled the key to my private garage out and clicked the button, raising the door. As soon as I saw her, everything felt right with the world. I let out a deep breath, running my hand over the chrome handlebars of my bike, thankful for the cooler weather. I took off my suit jacket and put it in the saddlebag before pulling on my leather one and my helmet.
The engine's roar calmed my nerves, and I pulled out, clicking the button to shut the door behind me as I left the garage. I spent my days looking over my shoulder, wondering if the killer had some secret camera in my office, watching me sitting there working. But I knew that once I was on that bike, the world zooming past me, I was all on my own. That was the best feeling in the world.
I just hoped we caught him soon because if he didn't get to me, working with Amber might just do it. He'd miss his chance.
Chapter Two
Amber
"Wasn't he the last one to get a threat from the killer?" I asked, talking to Sicily on the phone in my office.
"Yeah, the whole hog's head thing at the engagement party," she replied, a chill in her tone. "Why?"
"I'm just saying. By making Ryder the best man, meaning I have to work with him, you are putting me in close vicinity to the target of someone's target."
"Amber," Sicily chided. "And by being my maid of honor, you're doing the same thing."
I sighed. "I guess you're right. I'm out."
Sicily chuckled. "You'd have to book a flight for the next six months and actually make it out of the country without me finding you first."
I smiled. "I know. I'm just being an asshole. I'm not worried about some douchebag with talent in carving. They'd hear me in New Jersey if someone came after me."
"I don't doubt that," she laughed. "But please just try to get along with Ryder. He's really a nice guy when you get to know him, and he's very close to Daniel."
I rolled my eyes. "Fine. Fine. I'll call Ryder tomorrow to set something up. I'll be on my best behavior."
"That does not make me feel better," she replied with a chuckle.
