“Oh no,” Kim gasped.
“Wow,” Beth breathed. “I’m not sure what to say.”
“Lynn…” Sue began, her voice a fragile mix of hesitation, shock, and confusion. “Didn’t you tell me that ring was a family heirloom?”
“Yes, it was an heirloom and it was pricey!”
“CaroLynn…”
“Relax, Ma. I pawned his stuff and gave him the claim tickets when I told him it was over. He’s got sixty days to buy it all back.”
“Nice,” Bryce said, offering Lynn a high five, which she returned with a proud slap.
“That is wrong, Lynn. So very wrong… yet so very funny,” Beth couldn’t help laughing. “You’ve always been creative with your paybacks… in an evil way.”
“Dude got off better than he deserved,” Bryce said, slipping an arm around Beth’s shoulders and drawing her in close.
“Like I always say, Bethy—why get mad when you can get even?” Lynn shrugged.
Clapping her hands, the sharp echo bouncing off the walls of the parking garage, Lynn ushered Kim and Sue toward their mother’s car.
“Let’s go, ladies. Beth—kiss your husband and say your goodbyes. We’re not coming home until we find the dress.”
Beth blushed, the warmth blooming across her cheeks. But she didn’t pull away from Bryce’s side. Instead, she leaned into him a little more, then nodded toward Lynn’s bike once they were alone.
“You look like you want one,” she teased.
Bryce grinned. Gently guiding her a little farther into the garage, he stopped in front of a black and red Triumph motorcycle a few spots over.
“I already have one.”
Beth’s eyes widened. “That’s yours?”
He nodded and sat down on the bike, casually settling into the seat before motioning for her to step closer. She moved between his legs.
“But don’t tell your mom,” he whispered, mock-serious. “Her reaction still scares me.”
Beth’s gaze swept over him—dark jeans, button-down shirt stretched across his chest, forearms relaxed but strong where they rested on his thighs. He looked ridiculously good.
If I’d seen him on a bike like this back in Vegas…she thought.
She opened her mouth and gave in to the desire to flirt—really flirt—yet somehow, the words still came out a little sideways.
“If you rode that in Vegas... and all sexy-walked over... well, yeah... it’s a good thing you didn’t look good then or now, because—it would’nt’ve taken a lot more than just alcohol to marry you.”
Bryce blinked, one eyebrow slowly arching.
Proud of herself, Beth smiled triumphantly and kissed him on the cheek, having only heard the version she meant to say—completely unaware that what she actually said made no sense.
Bryce let out a low chuckle, shaking his head slightly as he watched her walk away.
He had no idea what she meant. None.
But it didn’t matter.
His wife had just tried to flirt with him again, and it was worth every insult she’d unintentionally delivered.
CHAPTER 27
