Page 55 of Secrets

"And Marnie doesn't know you're asking for a date to come and meet her?" he asks, a smirk on his face.

"No, but she seems to not hate this Venom guy. Says she owes him, and even though this is a favor, it's more my favor than her favor. Anyway, could you call this guy? Or give me his number for me to call him?"

Nodding, he asks, "Where's the reception and what time does the dancing start?"

"At the Biltmore Hotel, and it starts in about an hour."

"Got it."

"You aren't going to call him?"

Laughing, he points to his chest. "No need. I just gotta run home to change, and I'll be back."

Her eyes widen. "Wait, you're Venom?"

"Yes, ma'am," he says.

"Oh, you don't have to change. I can make a spot for you and feed you. You can come in with me."

Shaking his head, he gives her as sweet of a smile as he can manage. "No, sweetheart, your wedding shouldn't have a grungy biker in the candid shots. I'll change and show back up here in a bit. Do me a favor, though, and don't tell Marnie you found me until I show up. I think the surprise will be the repayment for this favor."

"Oh, thank you!" she says.

"What's your name, by the way? And what color dress is Marnie wearing?"

"Beth. Beth Henderson now. And the bridesmaid dresses are an emerald green."

"I'll see you in a bit, Beth. Our secret, yeah?"

The pretty strawberry blonde nods and beams. "Thank you!"

Summerville

Marnie

Closing her eyes, Marnie wills Tyler and Ginger to leave. She had no idea Tyler was even going to be here, and it turns out, neither did Beth. If Marnie had been given a heads up, she would have easily found someone to come as her date. Instead, she looks like a loser with no one to dance with at her friend's wedding.

"So, where's this date of yours?" Tyler asks, Ginger hanging on his arm in a tight black dress that looks like she's going out to a club instead of a wedding.

"What?" Marnie asks as Beth hurries over.

"He's right over there," Beth says and turns Marnie.

Marnie gasps when she sees Venom walk in wearing a black button-down shirt and nice dark blue jeans. His tattoos stick out of the top of his collar a bit, and she can't deny he looks delicious. "What did you do?" she whispers.

"I ran into him. What are the odds?" she whispers back.

"Hey, love," Venom says as he approaches them. "Congratulations, Beth. I'm sorry I wasn't able to be here for the ceremony."

Marnie's eyes widen as Beth gives him a quick hug. "No worries. We're just happy you were able to make it."

The upbeat introduction of the wedding party songs are over, and the DJ calls out for the newlyweds to dance their first dance as a married couple.

"Show me to the bar, love?" he asks.

Marnie's heart skips a beat. He could have come in here wearing his kutte, and he'd look like her knight in shining armor, especially as Ginger drools over Venom. His high cheekbones and bright blue eyes make him annoyingly handsome.

"Right this way," she says, looping her arm into his elbow and leading him away from her ex.

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