Page 38 of Champagne & Handcuffs
I groaned. “Okay, maybe that wasn’t the right way to use that term, but I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend.”
I heard him chuckle through the phone. “No, you didn’t use that term correctly. You would bemybeard.”
“Whatever,” I sighed. “Remember how I told you about the boy who broke my heart?”
“How can I forget? You compare all the men you date to him.”
I rolled my eyes even though Nathan couldn’t see me. “Right. So, my friend Joss called me this morning and invited me to her wedding. I’m pretty sure that Seth will be there, and I don’t want to go all the way to Vegas alone—”
“Vegas?” he interrupted. “All you had to say was we are going to Vegas, and I’m down for whatever.”
“Good. Pack your bags, and I’ll book us on the next flight in the morning and a hotel room.”
“The morning?”
“Yeah. The wedding is Saturday.”
“And you just got invited?”
“I don’t know all the details, but Joss said she’d explain why it’s short notice when I get there. Might have something to do with her being in the FBI.”
“All right. Text me what time you’re picking me up. I need to go primp myself.”
“Me too,” I admitted. Luckily I’d just gotten my nails and hair done, but what dress was I going to wear that would make Seth regret breaking my heart?
I needed to go shopping.
I found the perfect dress.It took me awhile, and I wasn’t sure what was sexier: a dress that went above the knee or a floor-length one that had high slits up both legs. I went with the latter. There was just something about the navy blue floral print dress that spoke to me. It had shades of cream, rose and browns with a drawstring, halter bodice and elasticized waist. And not one, but two slits on either leg that showed my toned legs as I walked. Paired with rose colored, ankle strapped heels and I was hoping Seth would be drooling.
Payback’s a bitch, right?
What if Seth was coming with a girlfriend—or his wife? Oh my God, was Seth married? Did he have kids? MyFacebookdetective work wasn’t in full-force these days, and he never posted any pictures. Mrs. McKenna didn’t either.Fuck!
If Seth showed up with another woman—a wife or girlfriend—I might have to kiss Nathan in front of him. I didn’t care that I was approaching thirty. We were talking about me coming face to face with the only man I’d ever loved. Best case scenario was Seth wouldn’t be there. But this was Joss we were talking about, and she and Seth were still best friends after all these years. My gut was telling me that he’d be there.
After Nathan and I arrived in Vegas late the night before, we took a taxi to Bally’s where we were staying. I’d never been to Vegas before, and seeing all the lights on the strip, the people, and the dry heat didn’t disappoint. Plus, there was a Starbucks right out the front doors of the hotel. A girl needed good coffee in the mornings, especially if she was going to have to pretend to be dating a gay guy.
“We’re going to be late,” I called to Nathan as he was still in the bathroom getting ready.
“You can’t rush perfection, baby girl.”
“I told Joss I’d meet her at her house so we could ride with her to the venue,” I reminded him. After my first patient on Thursday, I’d called Joss to tell her that I was coming. She sounded different—happy—excited even. She didn’t want to explain over the phone why she was in Vegas or why there was a rush for her to get married, and I was okay with that. She gave me her address and told me to meet her there, and we could ride over in the limo together and catch up.
“Two minutes.”
I went to the mirror and made sure my curls were staying intact. My phone buzzed in my clutch, and I smiled as I saw that it was a text from Dan the Murderer.
Dan the Murderer:Hey Cat! Hope all is well. It’s day three, and given the standard dating rules, I’m supposed to call you. Except I’m out of town for the weekend. Can I call you tomorrow when I get home and set up a date?
I smiled as I sent a text back.
Me:Hey! I’m out of town too. Tomorrow sounds good.
The bathroom door opened, and there was a hot man with dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes in a navy, pinned striped suit with a rose colored shirt standing before me. I shook my head. “Nope, can’t rush perfection.”
He smirked. “You too. And if I didn’t know any better, I’d think we were a couple.”
I laughed. “Well, we match like we’re going to prom.”
