Page 43 of Fauxmance

Hayden gave me a look. "Want to say that a little louder? I'm surePhinneasis around here somewhere. He'd probably love to throw us out."

I smiled. "Us? Don't you mean me? There's no way he'd throw you out. Your family is way too influential."

"I wish you'd get over the Davenport thing already," he said.

"Oh I'm trying. It's hard, though. I mean, you have a number behind your name. I've never met a 'third' before. That screams hoity-toity."

Hayden sighed as we reached the end of the stairs and stepped onto the main floor.

"Anyway," I said, quieting my voice to a whisper, "I can't believe I have a fake boyfriend."

His lips twitched like he was amused.

"I'm honored to be the first," he said.

I'd just opened my mouth to ask how many more he thought there'd be when Cole came over and smacked Hayden on the back.

"Hey man," he said. "I thought you weren't coming."

Hayden smiled at him over his shoulder. "I wasn't. But then someone reminded me how heartless it was to bail on your best friend."

His eyes met mine, and my jaw nearly hit the floor.

"So…you two are friends?" I asked.

"Nah, this guy is more like my brother from another mother," Cole said, elbowing Hayden's side. "We've known each other for years. He was like the Robin to my Batman."

Hayden frowned. "I was definitely Batman.Youwere the sidekick."

"Whatever," Cole said good naturedly. "I'm still older and more mature than you."

"Yeah, and I'm taller, hotter, smarter, and more worldly."

Cole studied him a moment then said, "I guess you are taller."

Hayden laughed while shaking his head. "Whatever you have to tell yourself, old man."

"Soon to be oldmarriedman," Cole added. "I can't believe I'm seeing you at my wedding—and in a suit! I thought you hated this stuff."

"I do," Hayden said. "I really do. But when a beautiful girl"—he threw me a wink—"accuses you of being a jerk, you know it's time for a change."

Cole nodded. "Ah yes, guilt. It's a powerful tool."

I couldn't believe this. First, had Hayden just called me beautiful? I gave myself a mental shake. No, I must've been imagining things. That wink was clearly an eye twitch, and surely he must've been talking about some other girl who'd called him a jerk. Maybe he got called that allthe time.

Clearing my throat, I said, "So you're…"

Hayden nodded as I trailed off. "The best man? Yep, that's me."

"Unbelievable," I mumbled.

Hayden was swimming in his own secrets. I didn't know which was more shocking: The fact that he was a Davenport or the tiny little detail he'd omitted about being my sister's future husband's bestie. The guy, as Hayden had alluded to, I'd called heartless without knowing it, right to his face.

My eyes closed on their own. "I'm sorry for what I said."

"Which part?" Hayden asked. "When you called me the lowest of the low…or something else?"

I winced. "All of it. I apologize. I had no idea you were Cole's best friend—which isn't entirely my fault—but still."

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