Page 2 of So Wrong, It's Wright
The touch of a finger at the base of my jaw, shutting my open mouth for me, snaps me out of my daze as I turn to Andy who’s giving me a knowing grin. “I think I drooled a little too when Karen walked down the aisle.”
“That’s Tahlia, right?”
He nods. “She’s single.”
I shake my head. “Way out of my league.”
“That’s what I thought about Karen when I met her, too. But she keeps choosing me. So, I think I’m gonna ask her to marry me later.”
“I thought you were scared of her?”
“I am,” he says. “But I’d rather be scared of her all my life than live a single moment feeling anxious without her.”
My eyes move to Tahlia as I nod, wondering if there is any way on this earth a beautiful, doll-like creature could ever find herself attracted to a big, burly bastard like me. And when her eyes lock with mine and a deep blush blooms in her cheeks, my insides flip and I think that maybe, just maybe, Camille’s ‘wedding magic’ did something.
TAHLIA
As the wedding vows are said, I get a little misty-eyed watching my bestie get married to the love of her life. Ruby and I have joked a few times about how grateful she is for my crappy taste in men. It was retaliating against a guy who dumped me right before my birthday that led to her and Tanner’s first meeting. But I’d like to think that fate would have brought them together without a phallic symbol scratched into the hood of his Porsche, especially since he was the new owner of the radio station she was a board operator at. It would have only been a matter of time before their hearts collided, I know it. They’re just too perfect for each other.
Seeing them exchange rings and promise themselves to each other forever really makes me want that kind of happiness for myself. I want the kind of love that knocks your socks off, the kind of connection you know you can’t live without. No more falling for arrogant guys with their flashy smiles and even flashier wallets. It never gets me anywhere but downtrodden, and I’ve had enough of that.
Rich assholes have been my Kryptonite for as long as I can remember, and it’s not even the money that draws me in—I’m not that shallow—it’s the asshole part that gets me. These guys that are so filled with confidence that they make me feel like I’m the luckiest girl in the world just to have been special enough to turntheirhead. A rich asshole walks into the room, and he feels so unobtainable, so out of my league, that I go out of my way to impress him. It’s pathetic really, and the last time I let a rich asshole into my life, it almost cost Ruby her relationship with Tanner. I swore from that moment on that I was never going to trust the quiver in my loins again. From here on out, I date with my head. Then maybe I can fall in love with my heart.
If I were to write a news article on my current situation, the headline would be, ‘Vagina town. Shut for Business!’ and the rest of the piece would detail the ways in which the mayor of said town can’t be trusted to make fully informed decisions. She gets a bit of D then sends all the moaning whores—also known as hormones—out to flood the streets with their sparkles and glitter, blinding the eyes of her citizens—me—to the reality of the situation. Namely, that I’m dating a narcissistic douche who’ll step on his own mother if it’ll lift him higher.
I amsodone withthatkind of relationship.
So. Done. Which is why, when my heart does a little pitter-patter and my belly does a flip of excitement when I lock eyes with Tanner’s cousin, Ash, I try to squash my body’s reaction down and fast. He’s a bigger, brawnier, and from the looks of things, ayoungerversion of Tanner. Which, since Tanner is marrying my best friend, should be a good thing. But Ash is a Wright, and that means he also has Wright money, and most likely, Wright arrogance too—something Tanner wasn’t without in the beginning of his and Ruby’s relationship, let me assure you. And while it turned out great for Ruby, for me, good looking, rich and arrogant men have only ever led to trouble and disappointment. So, one thing I’ve finally learned after living twenty-five years on this earth is that I must avoid those qualities at all costs. No more rich assholes for me!
No more rich assholes. It’s a new resolution, so it’s something I need to keep repeating in my mind as the wedding procession starts to leave the church. The closer Ash gets to me, the harder it is for me to remember the words. He’s magnetic, and the way he smiles and his blue eyes crinkle at the sides has the phrase shifting to,One more rich asshole.And it takes a lot of mental fortitude to shift it back. Thank god the man lives in another state, because I'm about to be partnered with him for the rest of the wedding celebrations, and my mental fortitude is obviously weak as fuck. I haven’t even looped arms with him and my knees are already quivering. We have photos, the meal, speeches and of course, a dance together before the night is out. If he’s even half as charming as his cousin is, I don’t stand a chance.
No more rich assholes.
Maybe just one!
No! Be strong, Tahlia!
I look up at him with a wavering smile as he offers his arm.
“The cutthroat reporter, Tahlia Adams, I presume,” Ash says, his deep rumbly voice doing wicked things to my nipples the moment it enters my ears.Oh, god, I’m in so much trouble here.
“You’ve heard of me?”That came out really breathy…
“Of course.”
“And you’re the enigmatic Mr. Wright, I presume.” My eyelashes flutter involuntarily as I look up at him. I’m trying not to flirt here, but I realize I’ve failed at that immediately, so as I slip my hand into the crook of his offered arm, I wince and kick myself—not an easy thing to do in unison while wearing a fitted dress and high heels.
“Enigmatic.” Ash chuckles. “I like that part. But Mr. Wright? Don’t go holding my surname against me. I’m not my father, I assure you.”
“I’ve never met your father, so I’m not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing.”
“He’s a lot like Tanner’s father. And since you wrote the scathing article onthatWright patriarch, I’m guessing you have a well-informed idea of the kind of man we’re dealing with.”
“And that explains why you’re off hiding in Atlanta.”
“You’ve done your research.” He drops his gaze, and I notice a dimple pop in his cheek even though it’s hidden by a nice thick beard.A beard that makes the insides of my thighs prickle at the thought of having his beautiful face buried between them…Wincing again, I shake my head and the thoughts away.This is an actual sickness!
“Oh god! I wasn’t stalking you online or anything. Ruby mentioned you were flying in. That’s how I know.”
