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“Same.”
My quick scan of the bar didn’t turn up any sign of Shawn. Perhaps the threat I’d whispered in his ear about staying the fuck away from her had worked.
“Let me get you a drink, Max,” Kate offered. She went off to the bar with her fiancé, leaving me alone with Oakley.
“No drama with Shawn, I take it?” My sister didn’t seem to know anything.
“Not so far. Evidently he’s upstairs in his room working on a project he didn’t finish for work. I told Kate I decided to get my own room because I wanted to take things slower.”
“Take things slower how?” I wasn’t being glib; I was truly baffled.
“Slower in the sense of not yet ready to sleep together.”
Both my brows jumped up. She hadn’t slept with Shawn? Immediately, I felt abashed for assuming she would have. Just because I hopped in bed with women to perform in front of others didn’t mean other people didn’t take the time to get to know someone first.
Another reason why she was off-limits. She wanted to be courted and start a relationship, not have a tawdry, no-strings weekend with a sex club owner. “I bet.”
“Anyhow, my job as maid of honor is to ensure Kate has no wedding drama.”
“In that case, you should send me home. Stat.”
Her husky laughter made my entire body take notice. “Nice try. Oh, and I did get on the waiting list for a room in case there’s a cancellation.”
“It’s not necessary. I would suggest we not advertise our arrangement to my sister to avoid damage to your reputation, but I’m guessing Shawn might spill the beans anyway.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Why would you worry about my reputation?”
I lifted a brow. “My father hates my guts. I’m sure my sister has already had to deal with enough flack from my parents when she invited me to her wedding, but if they were to find out you’re staying with me—? Well, let’s just say I don’t want their contempt for me to rub off on you.”
She wrinkled her cute little nose as if the thought hadn’t once occurred to her. Before she could respond, Kate returned with a bourbon for me.
“Thank you,” I said turning my focus on my sister.
“You’re welcome. Come on, I want to introduce you to the rest of the wedding party.”
“Lead the way.”
Chapter Seven
Oakley
It was impossible not to stare at Max as his sister introduced him to the other members of the wedding party across the room from me. Most of them he’d known years ago in school, but he hadn’t seen any of them in over a decade. Although I knew he was uncomfortable being here, you couldn’t tell from his charismatic manner.
I wondered about his comment regarding besmirching my reputation. Yes, I’d once been close with his family, but I certainly wouldn’t pick a team as if there was a good and bad side. His remark made me even more curious about what had caused their falling out.
Over the course of the next couple hours, our group grabbed some tables, ordered some appetizers, and had a few more drinks. Despite Max being on the other side of the table, I couldn’t keep my gaze off of him. He looked over at me a few times throughout the evening, as if he was silently saying, “I’ve got this.”
Once the happy couple headed upstairs, I visited the ladies’ room at the back of the bar before intending to call it a night. As I stepped out, the one person I hoped not to see was standing in the hall.
“You know Max is gay, right?” Shawn asserted.
I rolled my eyes.
“Your stunt in the elevator was pathetic.”
I didn’t bother to answer Shawn’s comment. Instead, I moved to walk past him, but he grabbed my arm, making me hiss.
“Think about it. Choice of lifestyle caused him to be disowned by his parents, so it makes sense. Kate is the one who told Tim.”
