Page 9 of Resting Grump Face
I wonder what happened to him. There is probably a good story to those pants, that wound, and the slight limp he had when walking in here. It would almost appear that the universe actually came through this time and dealt more than appropriate punishment (partly thanks to me, I suppose). Too bad that it had to be Phoenix’s best man. I’ve known Phoenix for almost three years now and he isn’t the kind of guy to have a friend likehim.Much less abestfriend like him.
Loud applause makes me snap out of my daydreams when Olivia and Phoenix finally kiss. After they walk back down the aisle, I turn to see my nemesis extend his arm for Nana to help her down the stairs. Outside, we congregate around the happy couple, toast to their holy matrimony and eventually end up back at the hotel that they rented out for all their guests.
I still haven’t told Olivia anything about what happened to me in the last two days, not wanting to distract from her big day, but for some nefarious reason I am dying to tattle on Mr. Handsome With Ever So Slightly Better Manners Than I Thought.
Eventually, while Olivia and I share a drink, we are joined by Phoenix and—yep, you guessed who. My pulse immediately shoots through the roof, making me think I might need that doctor sooner rather than later.
“Well,” Phoenix begins the introduction in his usual calm tone, “we have been meaning to get the both of you together for forever now. Mywife,” he presses a kiss onto Olivia’s cheek, “insists that you two would get along great.”
“They’re basically the same person,” Olivia adds with a smile before Phoenix continues.
“Sienna, this is?—”
“Ryker Grayson, best man,” Ryker says with a deceptively charming, and definitely fake, smile.
“Bestis a bit of a stretch, isn’t it?” I reply under my breath and shake his hand. “Could it be that I’ve seen you without pants before?”
Ryker’s smile turns dark, and he squeezes my hand a little harder than necessary. I can feel the tension run through his skin and into my own.
“Can’t say I remember you,” he answers. “Which is odd because I have a memory like an elephant.”
“You mean like a pink elephant?” I peer down at his pants.
“Do you two know each other?” Olivia interrupts with a frown on her face. “Because if you do, you have to tell me. I plan on being the mandatory meddling fairy godmother to your blossoming… whatever this is.” She motions at our hands that, for some incomprehensible reason, are still embracing each other, with me now unsuccessfully trying to out-squeeze him.
“No,” Ryker and I answer in unison and finally let go of each other.
“Ohhh,” Olivia exhales and hooks into Phoenix’s arm. “Look, they’re already in perfect sync. Told you they’d make a good?—”
“I know this is your wedding day, honey,” I cut Olivia off, “but you better stop talking now because I am not afraid to?—”
“Steal her wedding dress?” Ryker butts in entirely unprovoked, forcing me to give him a warning glance from the side.
By now, Olivia’s smile has grown so big I worry her face might get stuck in that position. “I am a staunch supporter of… that which I may not talk about,” she says with glee, while clapping her hands together, “but you can just have my wedding dress. No need to steal it, honey. And speaking of dresses, I think it’s time for me to change into something a little more comfortable and casual. Can you give me a hand, Sienna?”
“And I could use something a little less comfortable and a little more… clean.” Ryker looks down at himself and then towards the newlywed husband who is nodding understandingly.
“I have so many questions,” Phoenix echoes my own thoughts, and leads us towards the presidential suite that they are staying in.
When we get there, Olivia and I disappear into the bathroom, where I help her out of the dress. My eyes are fixed on the door, behind which the two men are presumably looking for a changeof clothes for Ryker, but I can tell that Olivia is dying to drill me with questions.
“Are you really gonna make me ask?” she finally says when she slides into an adorable cocktail dress.
I love her and usually we do tell each other everything, but again, this isn’t the time or the place. I close her zipper and check my makeup in the mirror. “There’s nothing to tell. Besides, it’s your wedding day. You shouldn’t focus on whatever you’re reading into this situation, you should focus on yourself and that hot, wedding-ring-wearing hunk of cinnamon roll out there.”
“Thanks, Sien,” Phoenix’s voice echoes outside the door.
Olivia gives me an understanding look. “Fine,” she says as we step out, “I guess you’re right. This is my day and I should do whatever I want.”
“Exactly,” I reply and almost walk into Ryker, whose broad shoulders are standing just outside the door and in my way, not even pretending to politely move aside for me to pass.
Olivia takes her husband by the hand, then they make their way back to the entrance with me in tow, and I can’t wait to get out of this room and far away from that guy.
“Ah, wait,” she suddenly turns to me. “Could you grab me my cardigan from the closet? I don’t want to catch a cold.”
“Of course,” I answer and turn around, only to see Ryker’s eyes still fixed on me. In response, I stick my tongue out and immediately want to throw myself off the balcony behind him.
What the fuck was that? Did I just turn into a freaking teenager? It’s like my brain won’t function properly as soon as that heartless tyrant is around.
