Twenty minutes later, I'm standing in a bathroom that smells like hairspray, trying to figure out how my life has reached this point.
I’ve never been a tuxedo man.Not much.
Give me my glasses, a collared shirt and slacks, any day.But to be honest, the tux fits perfectly.
I hate that.
"How's it going in there?"Sage calls through the door.
"Peachy," I mutter, struggling with the bow tie."I feel like James Bond's accountant."
The door opens without warning, and Sage slips inside, closing it quickly behind her."Let me help—oh."
She stops, staring at me in the mirror.
"You look..."She pauses, tilting her head."Different."
"Like a penguin who lost a fight with a tailor?"
"Like someone who could actually pass for a wedding guest."She reaches up, batting my hands away from the bow tie."Stop strangling yourself.Let me."
I stand very still as she works, trying not to notice the way her tongue peeks out when she's concentrating or how her fingers are surprisingly gentle for someone who apparently attacks plumbing with hammers.
“You clean up well, Sterling,” she murmurs.
“Do I?”
“Dangerously well.”Her voice dips slightly, her fingers stilling as she tightens the knot.“Someone’s going to start rumors if you walk around looking like that.”
Her eyes flick up to mine in the mirror—green, amused, and darkened by something that doesn’t feel like a joke.
“Let them,” I say.
The tension in the room tightens like the very knot she’s tying.We’re too close.
Her perfume is all citrus and cedar.Her chest brushes mine lightly when she leans in to adjust the dimple.
I should step back.
Instead, I let her linger.
“There,” she says, breath hitching ever so slightly.“Now you’re officially wedding-ready.”
We don’t move.
She’s still holding my tie.
I’m still holding my breath.
"There."She steps back, admiring her handiwork."Perfect.Very believable wedding guest."
"Except for the part where I don't know anyone here."
"Just smile and nod.Compliment the bride.Avoid the groom's mother—she's already three mimosas in and getting handsy."
"Handsy?"
"She grabbed my handyman Tommy's ass twice during the flower delivery."
