AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I live paycheck to paycheck. I can’t imagine having money to burn.”
“Stick with me, kid, and you’ll see what that life is like,” I joked, and she rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.
I was having a genuinely good time. It wasn’t just about the challenge anymore, and that frightened me a little.
“I know why you paid me to be your date at the wedding, getting payback and all,” she began, “But I wouldn’t think a guy like you has any trouble getting women.”
“A guy like me?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Someone as handsome and rich as you,” she elaborated, looking away and blushing.
“Oh, so you think I’m handsome,” I teased, leaning over toward her as the food arrived.
Katie dug right in and I was pretty sure it was so that she didn’t have to answer, her face on fire with that blush.
“Well, I find it hard to meet women as a single dad,” I admitted, telling her the truth. “Plus, growing up with someone like Toby, it’s kind of hard to get close to anyone.”
Katie looked at me with her mouth full and then swallowed. “You don’t really trust people?” she guessed.
I pointed at her. “Exactly that,” I said. “Plus, I just don’t let people in, it’s who I am.”
As I looked at her, seeing that she seemed to know exactly what I was thinking, I realized that not getting close to Katie would be nearly impossible.
“On a lighter note,” I began, eager to change the subject, “I’ll never forget the look on Toby’s face when he first saw you,” I said. Katie’s face changed just a little.
I was worried for a moment that maybe I messed up by saying that but then she giggled.
“It was pretty wonderful,” she admitted, and I laughed with her, feeling open and free, and... young. Younger than I had in years.
Katie Martin was really throwing me for a loop.
Chapter 8
Katie
After dinner, Adam took me back to the hotel room, and this time, he didn’t start a fight or try anything. We had just had an amazing time, and part of me wanted it to continue. I bit my lip, looking up at him, but he just smiled and murmured, “goodnight, Katie.”
I went into my bedroom and took off my makeup, wanting to yell into the mirror. I’d just had what was probably the best date of my entire life with my ex’s ‘evil’ brother.
What was going on?
Maybe it was the beauty of the venue, the way that all the flowers and trees were blooming, waking up again after a winter’s nap. I was starting to see a lighter side to Adam, a good side, the more time I spent with him.
I couldn’t allow myself to start having feelings for him, though, since he had made it very clear the previous night that he was only using me for revenge against Toby, he had been very adamant about that.
I felt confused after the amazing dinner we had just shared but I knew I needed to table those feelings—I had to get a good night’s rest for the wedding the next day. I sighed heavily as I climbed into bed, falling asleep to thoughts of Adam.
After I put on the pastel yellow sundress I’d decided to wear to the ceremony, I checked myself out in the mirror, admiring the way that it clung to my curves. I had done my makeup in natural tones with a subtle lip color, my hair pulled up in a classy but loose bun.
The fact that I was about to attend my ex’s wedding suddenly hit me full force. I could feel my heart beating in my chest, and I started to question whether or not I could actually go through with it. But I had come this far and I was going to see it through. I made my way outside to the property behind the bed-and-breakfast, where they were to have the ceremony by the lake.
No one was there yet, and I looked down at my phone, realizing that I was super early.
“You have no right,” I heard someone say in a low growl.
“Why not? Because you did so right by her?” I recognized Adam’s voice and I peered around the corner of the building.
I watched as Toby pushed Adam, Adam stumbling backwards, his jaw tight.. They were both dressed in tailored suits, wearing polished shoes and beautiful boutonnieres.
