Page 39 of It Happened in Vegas

She shot me a playful smile, but before she could answer, Starla charged across the set. She swung her oversized pool bag into our meticulous beer display and sent cans flying like dominoes, ice clattering everywhere.

“Oops!” she cackled, tossing her hair.

Sophie’s jaw dropped. Melanie’s laughter rang over the headset. I felt Sophie’s tension spike next to me, hot and jagged.

“That was on purpose,” she hissed in my ear.

I spotted the red recording light on the camera before Melanie stepped forward, like a dog with a nose for TV gold. “How does that make you feel? After everything you set up, Sophie?” Her voice dripped with spite.

I stepped between them, anger humming in my veins. “You knew Starla would do something like this and you planned on capturing it.”

Melanie shrugged. “Drama sells. Mr. and Mrs. Perfect Bride and Groom don’t move the needle of the ratings. I need fireworks or I’m unemployed. You, of all people, should know by now that it’s all about the ratings.” She spun on her heel. “Everyone head down to the ceremony site for the rehearsal! Bikini-ready, people! I want skin!”

Sophie’s face twisted. She grabbed my hand. “Don’t let her draw you in.”

I guided her away from the chaos. As we picked up the beer cans and erected the display again, I urged her to pay Starla no mind. “Show her we’re stronger than her pettiness.”

A sly smile curved Sophie’s lips. Her shoulders uncurled, determination lighting her eyes. “I have my own plan.”

I swallowed hard. She peeled her sundress down her arms, the fabric whispered against her skin. She undid each button inch by inch, revealing a fiery red string bikini that seemed made just for her. My pulse thundered. She stepped out of the dress and tossed it aside.

Her long legs gleamed smooth in the sun. The cheeky bottoms cut high on her hips. Every inch of her pleased my eyes.

I whistled low. “I’ve got the best-looking date here.”

She tossed a glance over her shoulder at Starla, glaring across the way. “Good. Keep your eyes and hands on me, handsome, and we won’t have a problem. We’ll steal this show together.”

“Now who is the boss babe causing drama?” I chuckled and swept her into my arms. She yelped as I carried her toward the steps of the ceremony site. No one could drown our momentum now.

14

HOT MESS

SOPHIE

The wedding rehearsalwas about as atypical of a walk-down-the-aisle moment as possible. The hot weather and sunshine only made matters worse. Who held an outdoor wedding in Vegas in the summer heat with no shade over our heads? The bride would probably melt by the time she reached her groom. If she survived that walk, the groom would probably keel over from heat stroke.

The outdoor Vegas venue sparkled, though, beautiful in bright silk flowers of pinks and yellows, and lit up in a way that only Sin City could pull off—from the arch at the front to the runway-style lights pointed down the aisle.

Melanie had insisted on the theme of the rehearsal segment: “Love, Light, and a lot of Skin.” All for the cameras and ratings, of course. The women outdid each other in the tiniest bikinis ever, only rivaled by the low riding board shorts on all the men. Of course, Keaton’s torso was the only one I cared to gaze upon, dying to tease my fingertips along every ridge, and trace his tattoos with my tongue.

If I thought middle school girls had horribly bullied me for what was—back then—my big front teeth, they had nothingcompared on these adult women here today with the way they peered down their noses at me.

Judging by the jealous faces as I held my head high, my hand on Keaton’s elbow, as we walked in, I realized the target on my back. My cheeky red bikini, while flattering, held the envy of women as they practically snarled at me when we passed by. Keaton was one of the most well-loved bachelors in the show. But it’s their loss for not chasing him since then.

He’s at my side now. Mine.

Only for this weekend. But… why couldn’t it be more? Last night, he all but admitted he wanted me. What did that mean for us?

Starla strutted past, stealing my thoughts away. She stopped in front of us, and I rolled my eyes. What was she up to now?

She reached down to her hem and slowly dragged her swimsuit cover over her head. Her white sequined swimsuit showed so much skin she might as well have gone without.

She looked down at me like I was no better than the ground under her feet. Then she winked at Keaton, grabbed her bag and carried on. My head snapped to his, immediately pleased to see his eyes were closed.

“Is she gone now? You said to keep my eyes on you. I saw her coming and shut ‘em,” he muttered.

I giggled. “Yes, you can open them. And thanks for taking me seriously. You just avoided World War III between us.”

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