Page 38 of The Hero + Vegas = No Regrets

Worth removes his hand and puts his index finger in his mouth, then removes it with a pop. “Mmm,” he hums. “So sweet.”

Then he turns and strides down the hall, leaving me weak-kneed and flushed.

I let go of the door and turn, straightening my shoulders and swallowing. “I’m fine,” I whisper under my breath.

“Leo sent you a gift,” I say as I walk back into the bedroom area. I hand her the box.

Her eyes widen. She opens the red box to reveal a row of diamond stars forming a bracelet. We all gasp. It’s beautiful.

“He has really good taste,” I say.

“Well, it’s not like there’s much bad at Cartier,” Jules says.

We help her fix the bracelet on and she gives us a twirl as we record her on our phones.

“Your last moments as a single woman,” Efa says. “Do you have anything to say?”

I suppose I’m not technically single at the moment? I can’t remember what my last words were. They were probably, yes, I’m sure I really want to do this.

“I can’t wait to marry my best friend and soul mate.”

“It’s about time,” I say.

Worth might not be my best friend—I haven’t known him long enough—but as crazy as it sounds, there’s something nudging at my edges telling me he’s important. More important than anyone I’ve ever had in my life.

ELEVEN

Worth

I can’t take my eyes off Sophia. I’ve spent the entire morning trying my best not to touch her, and I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to hold back. I’m out of self-control.

“To the beautiful bride and the groom, who will spend the rest of his life knowing he doesn’t deserve her.” Bennett finishes his speech with a typical flourish.

We’re all having a drink in a roped-off area in a bar after the ceremony before we go for a late lunch. Jules admitted to Leo on the way back from the ceremony that she wanted to end her wedding day in New York, so we’re not staying the night tonight. Bennett has arranged for the plane to take us back this evening.

I can’t help but wonder if Vegas has been a spell cast on Sophia and me, and whether going back to New York will undo what’s been done between us on this trip. We’re married, but we’ve never dated. How are we supposed to navigate that? I don’t want to go backward, but I don’t know how to go forward. I feel a deep connection with Sophia, who is without a doubt the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. But it’s more than that. Or at least I think it is.

All I know is that I don’t want to divorce her or have our marriage annulled. You can’t start getting to know someone by divorcing them. At the same time, I don’t want to freak her out and come on too strong. She’s been through a lot recently and doesn’t always know which way is up. A wrong move from me could lead to her going cold. That’s the last thing I want.

Our group has split into three. Sophia and Efa are standing by the velvet rope, admiring Jules’ bracelet. Leo, Jack, and Byron are by the private bar, just a few feet away. I’m standing with Bennett and Fisher, where I’ve got a direct line of sight to Sophia. I didn’t deliberately arrange my sightline to have such an exquisite view, but my subconscious was all over it. I’m as mesmerized by her today as I’ve ever been. She flipped a switch in me as soon as we met, but now? And after last night? I’d do anything for her.

On the other side of the rope, a guy interrupts the girls and speaks to them. I narrow my eyes. I can’t quite tell if he’s asking them a question or making a pass or what. My phone buzzes and I take it out of my pocket.

It’s my sister.

“I have to get this,” I say to Bennett and Fisher. I step to the side, still facing Sophia. The guy is still talking to them, and they’ve all adopted blank expressions of disinterest. What the fuck does he want?

“Hey, Avril.”

“How’s my favorite big brother?” she asks.

My heart sinks. If Avril is being nice to me, there must be something seriously wrong.

“Busy. What’s going on?”

“You’re in Vegas, right? Poppy told me. And Vegas puts people in a good mood, right?”

“Just come out with it.”

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