“Just the opposite. I think you’re the perfect date to this wedding.”
She didn’t know if it was a compliment or a dis, and she didn’t care. She was on a pretty jet with a pretty man who was going to tell her exactly what she needed to do to snag a man. A little tit for tat so her bestie could compare tactics.
Sam kept his briefcase closed the rest of the flight, and she dropped the subjectof sex. Hours later they’d landed and were in a rental SUV headed down some dusty, bumpy roads.
“Are the bride and groom one of your successful matches?”
“I guess you could say they met because of me.” He swallowed hard, and his fingers turned white around the steering wheel. There was a story in there somewhere, and she’d poke until it flowed out like an untapped keg.
“Clue me in. What am I walking into?”
“Sarah is my ex, and she’s marrying my brother.”
“Nooo. And you agreed to be in the wedding?”
“He’s my brother.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got this.” Grace nodded and turned to see horses running alongside the SUV. Their well-groomed coats glistened in the sunlight as their tails flew out behind them, hooves thundering against the packed earth.
The SUV pulled through the iron gates. The sign above it read Wymore Plantation. The hotel sat nestled on the greenest grass she’d seen since landing. The place was stunning. The steps led up to a landing with a concrete waterfall. Grecian columns surrounded the front of the plantation home with white wicker seats strategically placed. Off in the distance, there was a barn with cows, and horses out in apasture. She squeezed his bicep. “You didn’t tell me there’d be animals.”
“You didn’t ask?” he said more like a question than a statement.
“I’ve got this thing…” she said, making a circle motion with her hand, trying to stop her throat from closing at the site. “I don’t like animals, but they seem to like me. I swear I must put out an animal pheromone of some sort. They gravitate to me wherever I go. It’s like they’re stalking me as their prey.”
He took her hand and removed her nails from his arm. “They’re corralled. They can’t get to you.”
She gave a slow nod and took several deep breaths. “Promise?”
“I promise.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “Time to put on your game face. They’re waiting for us on the veranda.”
Grace slipped out of the SUV and waited for Sam to grab their bags. They started up the twenty steps. Why anyone would make you climb a mountain to get to a hotel, she’d never understand. With each step, Grace got a better look at the bride and groom.
“Honey, you didn’t tell me you are a twin.”
He glanced at her and smiled. “Are you going to be able to tell us apart? She couldn’t.”
Grace broke out in a fit of laughter and had to cling to his arm for the last five steps. She tried to suppress her giggles and ignore the couples’ annoyed looks. That wasn’t the last time she’d be seeing them.
“Is something funny?” The woman holding the hand of Sam’s look alike asked. Her brow rose and a look of disdain crossed her face. She was clearly not amused.
He dated you. The words were on the tip of Grace’s tongue, but she bit them back. “I was just remembering the pilot coming on over the loud speaker and asking Sammy to quit making the plane shake. I tried to tell him that the staff would know, but you know Sammy. He’s insatiable and has the stamina of a two-year-old in a candy store.”
“I can’t keep my hands off her,” Sam announced. “Grace, I’d like to introduce you to my brother, Richard, and his fiancée, Sarah Singletary.”
“Nice to meet you both.” Grace shook their hands and held Sarah’s a second longer and winked. “Thank you.”
“For what?” Sarah said, slipping her hand free.
“For Sammy, of course.” She smiled over at Richard. “No offense.”
“None taken. I’ve always wanted Sam to be happy.”
She bet he did. Was that before or after he played hide the salami? Oh, that was another one she should ask Sam if he preferred.
“If you’ll excuse us, we’d like to get checked in. It’s been a long day.” Sam gestured toward the doors and waited until they were alone in the lobby before he spoke. “Was that necessary?”
“No, but it was fun.” Grace cleared her throat, and she stretched her jaw from the fake smile. “Would you like me to tone it down?”
