Me: On my way.
Finishing up, I rush out of the room and jump in the golf cart they provided to hightail it over. I’m eager to meet this girl I’ll be walking down the aisle with, especially after hearing that she’s a looker from Justin. Not that Eli would’ve warned me off if she wasn’t—he wouldn’t have had to.
As I’m parking, I see the group in the distance. It’s an outdoor wedding, and the rehearsal is taking place where the wedding willbe held tomorrow afternoon. My partner isn’t hard to spot, being the only redhead in attendance, and there’s something vaguely familiar about her. I recognize that ass. And those legs…
Oh fuck, you’ve got to be shitting me.
I don’t need any more evidence to know it’s her.
Jackson’s the only one facing my direction and calls me out. “Dude, it’s about time you show up. We almost got a stand-in for you,” he yells, causing everyone to turn.
The minute she sees me, her eyes go wide, and her jaw drops.
“And let Mouse walk down the aisle with a stranger? Not a chance.”
“Who? What are you…” He trails off when he notices the recognition on her face and the smirk on mine.
“Wait. Have you two met?” Jackson asks skeptically, drawing the other’s attention.
“We sat next to each other on the flight from Bozeman yesterday,” she answers.
Her name is Poppy if I remember correctly.I know her name now.
“Oh shiiit,” Eli says, then laughs as he continues, “This is the girl you struck out with?”
“Oh my gosh, it makes total sense now. That’s the douchebag. How did I not put two and two together?” comes from Cici, who’s next to Eli, smirking.
I glare at them but quickly recover. Poppy’s eyebrows raise in surprise at our friends having heard both sides of the story.Yeah, sugar, I did tell them about you.
“How am I a douchebag for hitting on a hot chick? That shit happens every day. You should be flattered, Mouse.”
“Flattered? Really? How about disgusted? Your pickup lines were enough to make any girl run for the hills,” Poppy says with a hand on her jutted hip. She’s annoyingly cute when irritated.
“Au contraire, most women are running straight to my bed,” I state matter-of-factly.
“Well, I’m not a bimbo like the girls you’re probably used to.”
“Nope, you’re just a meek little mouse who only reads about the good stuff instead of doing it.”
She glares but doesn’t reply, and the hurt is evident. Now I feel like a jerk. Especially with the evil eyes I’m getting from Cici, Lily, and Lucy. And the looks from the guys say I’ve definitely fucked up. Well, shit.
We’re interrupted by the officiant, gratefully directing our attention away from each other. “All right, everyone. If Jackson and Eli come with me, I’ll have the rest of you take your places so we can get started. I know you have a dinner to attend.”
Cici whispers into Poppy’s ear, then Poppy shakes her head with the words, “It’s fine.”
Great. Judging by the look of warning they gave me before walking off, Jackson and Eli are going to read me the riot act for that little show. As they take their places at the front of the aisle, Sebastian and Justin pull me aside.
“Dude, watch yourself. Cici’s pregnant, hormonal, and it’s her wedding. The last thing you want to do is piss her off. She’ll hand you your balls,” Sebastian offers.
“Yeah, if I were you, I’d take my word on things and wait for the next redhead to come along. I think your chances of landing this one are over. And you might want to do some groveling,” Justin adds.
“Screw that. She dishes as much shit as I do. She’ll be fine. And don’t count me out yet, there’s still plenty of time.”
Sebastian shakes his head. “It’s your balls, just be careful.”
Justin claps me on the shoulder. “Good luck with that. And with Cici, if you succeed.”
I scoff. “Whatever, we’re all adults.”
