Page 74 of Off the Wall

“That’s not what this is,” Hayden protests, her eyes still trained on me. “He’s our neighbor.” She loops arms with Keeley. “And he helped our bestie last night. So inviting him to the wedding is the very least I can do. Right, Cash?”

“That’s kind of you,” I say. “The thing is?—”

“He probably has to work,” Nori interrupts. “His job is super-hectic and unpredictable. Even on weekends.”

Keeley cocks her head, surveying my scrubs and name tag. “Are you a doctor?”

“He sells medical devices,” Nori answers for me. “But doctors need his stuff for emergency surgeries all the time. Like … constantly. So he can never guarantee he’ll have time off. In fact, he’s on his way to the hospital now.”

Keeley arches a brow. “With his laundry?”

Nori’s mouth opens and shuts, wordlessly.

“I’m a multitasker,” I say. “Just gonna tackle this load first.”

“Exactly,” Nori says triumphantly. “He’s just so busy.”

“Clearly.” Hayden bites back a smirk. “But do you have anything scheduled for two weekends from now, Cash?”

My shoulders pitch up. “Not yet. No.”

Nori rounds on me, her eyes wide. “Do you evenlikefilet and lobster?”

Keeley puffs out a laugh. “What kind of maniac doesn’t like lobster?”

“You two are putting him on the spot.” Nori frowns. “And I need to shower and change for work. So if you don’t mind …” Her voice trails off.

“Cash is a big boy,” Hayden says. “He can answer for himself. What do you say, Cash? Wanna come to my wedding?”

“Nori’s right about my job being unpredictable.” I drag a hand along the back of my neck. “And if something came up last minute, I’d hate to flake.”

“Well, I’m not asking anyone else at this point.” Hayden scrunches up her nose. “So you’d be doing me a favor. The last thing I need is my mother complaining about wasted dinners at the reception.”

Hmm. The plot thickens.

Helping Hayden appeals to my philanthropic side. Plus I like the idea of scoring more points with Nori’s best friend. On the slightly more selfish side, I’d love a legitimate excuse to spend more time with Nori. Seeing her in a bridesmaid’s dress does tick a box in my curious brain.

I shouldn’twantto be with her.

But I do.

“I’ll try my best to make it,” I say.

“Thank you!” Hayden throws up prayer hands. “And sinceyou’ll be stuck at a table with the rest of Jasper’s cousins, you might as well bring a plus one.”

“Are you kidding?” Nori huffs. “I’mnot even bringing a plus one.”

“It’s fine.” I shrug. “I don’t really date.”

Hayden grins at me. “Yet.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Nori

“What were youthinking,Hayden?”

I’ve got my back pressed against our door—which I made doubly sure was shut behind me. Cash is—I assume—on his way to the laundry room by now and safely out of earshot.

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