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Aunt Edna: We need the cake now, Madison. If you’re not too busy
I bite the inside of my lip, tamping down my aggravation. I honestly can’t wait until Saturday night because then this nightmare wedding will be over. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the business, but working with my cousin and aunt—again—hasn’t exactly been the most fun I’ve ever had.
“Listen, I have to get back. You still have a few hours to change your mind—” I fluff my hair over my shoulder, stand up straighter as I prepare to deal with my aunt.
“I will not be changing my mind. Looking forward to it, Madison Leigh.” He grabs my hand, brushing his lips lightly against my knuckles. A warm, molten feeling of pleasure trickles through me like honey, my face flaming under his gaze.
“I’ll text you with all the details then. Can you leave your number with Danny?” I force the words out, even though I can barely catch my breath.
“Sure thing. See you again soon.”
“Bye.” I shoot him a quick wave as another text comes in from my aunt, this time demanding espresso.
He grins and waves, snagging his lunch from the mahogany bar before heading out of the room, leaving me standing and staring after him with a pounding heart.
* * *
By the timethe Bridal Brunch wraps up and I’ve finished all the behind-the-scenes tasks, like tipping the wait staff and helping load leftover cake and finger sandwiches into my cousin’s Volvo, it’s almost two p.m.
I haven’t had a moment to myself and still have a long day ahead filled with last-minute wedding prep for tomorrow. I’m racing out the door when I remember to stop by the bar for Spence’s number.
“Hey, Madison Leigh. I have a note for you.” Danny hands me a square slip of paper. I take it, trying to steady my shaking hands. Clearly, too much espresso. Definitely hasnothingto do with the note—or the guy who wrote it.
Dear Madison Leigh,
Lovely bumping into you this AM. Looking forward to our date tomorrow. Call me when you get a chance with the details.
Spence
I exhale, a breath of relief slipping from my lips.
He’s definitely not going to bail.
“Everything good?” Danny asks over the beer tap.
I nod. “All good. Thanks.”
“For what it’s worth—Spence is a good guy.”
My ears perk up, sensing a warning here. “And?”
“Don’t do him dirty. Not that you would, but he’s got Golden Retriever energy, you know? Guys like him are easy to take advantage of.”
My cheeks burn, warmth rushing to my chest. “I won’t take advantage, Danny. Promise.”
“I know you won’t. Just looking out for my boy.”
“You’re a good friend.”
“Yeah, something like that. Take care.”
“You too.” I stuff the note with Spence’s digits into my purse and head out, a buzzy nervousness thrumming through me.
A lot of people seem awfully invested in my fake relationship with Spence, and we haven’t even been on a date yet, real, fake, or otherwise.
4
SPENCE
