Page 6 of Play Dirty

My heart skips a beat when I look at him.

Nothing can come of it, but there’s something…alluring about the broody, dark-haired man. We shared a dance at Henrik and Autumn’s wedding that left me breathless.

Strong, muscular body.

Tall enough that I can wear heels when we dance and still look up.

Deep, soulful brown eyes.

He’s not traditionally handsome, but he’s all man.

And in a tux?

I’m having a hard time averting my eyes.

Thank goodness it’s time to follow the group down the aisle.

I take Gabe’s arm, and we move behind Ivan and Chey.

“This is the biggest, fanciest wedding I’ve ever been to,” he tells me. “I don’t know if I’m happy or sad that Harper and I eloped.”

I chuckle. “I think eloping is the way to go. If I ever get engaged again, that’ll be my plan. This feels like…a lot.”

“But Chey is a lot,” he points out.

“That she is. In the best possible way.”

I smile in her direction.

Because Cheyisa lot.

A tall, gorgeous force of nature with a lot of success, a lot of money, and a lot going on. Always.

But she’s also the kindest, sweetest, most giving friend I’ve ever had.

When my ex threw me over the railing, it was Chey and Ivan who came to my rescue and Chey who stayed at the hospital with me. Who moved me into her and Ivan’s new house and made sure I had everything I needed, both physically and emotionally. Chey who jumped at the chance to do a fashion show that meant very little to her but helped to get my modeling feet back under me. And Chey who asked me a hundred times if I was sure I could handle, and wanted the responsibility of, being her maid of honor.

She’s the top supermodel in the world, probably one of the most beautiful women to ever grace a magazine cover, and yet, she’s just my bestie to me. The most important title in the world, as far as I’m concerned. So when she needed me to be her right arm in planning the celebrity wedding of the year, there was no universe where I said no. No universe where I ever let her down, no matter how over-the-top her plans were.

We get into formation for the receiving line, and I’m grateful for the five hundred guests that keep us there an hour. My feet hurt, but I don’t have to worry about anything—I just have to stand here and smile, say hello when I recognize people, and pretend like I do this every day.

I’ve been in weddings before, but nothing as extravagant as this one.

Ivan and Chey went all out, and it’s truly stunning.

Exactly what I envisioned my own wedding would be.

Except in Paris.

With a view of my favorite city in the world.

In a beautiful couture gown.

Friends and family surrounding us.

My gorgeous groom beside me.

Except the man in that scenario turned out to be a monster and my fantasies no longer exist. At least, not the ones related to weddings.

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