Page 29 of Vegas with my Brother’s Best Friends

I flash him a confused look before glancing back at the bar, which is in clear view. “No, I just paid for her drink and left.”

Ryan laughs. “What? You didn’t talk to her? Invite her back to your room?”

“We share a suite, so that would be a no go,” Jackson replies, giving me a stern look. I’m sure walking in on me and a girl would ruin his night.

“Just wasn’t feeling it,” I say as I slide my hands into the pockets of my fitted khakis.

Ryan reaches out and places the back of his hand against my forehead. “Are you sick? Running fever?”

I push his hand away as the others laugh, my eyes rolling. “You’re acting like I’m a manwhore.”

“If the shoe fits,” Marcus teases me.

I have a fling every once in a while, but it’s not a habit. Then again, that’s in comparison to the romantic who doesn’t do casual flings and the guy who lives at the fire station and can’t be bothered to date.

Of course, I seem like the manwhore.

“Well, we’ll be staying at a really nice resort in Mexico. I’m sure you’ll find someone there that you can’t resist,” Ryan says as he nudges my arm.

He’s probably not wrong. That someone just won’t be who he expects. Or wants.

“Yeah, we’ll see,” I reply, passing Jackson and Marcus a small smile that Ryan can’t see.

Jackson shakes his head, not looking amused. He doesn’t know how to have any fun, but I guess it’s not a great joke to make in the grand scheme of things.

Marcus bumps his shoulder against mine. A silent way of telling me to behave.

I’ll do my best.

No promises.

Chapter eleven

Chapter 11: Cassidy

It has been four weeks since the bachelorette and bachelor party weekend in Las Vegas.

Four weeks of keeping the biggest secret of my life. Four weeks of being torn between guilt and yearning. And four weeks of trying to act like my life is normal.

Needless to say, it has been exhausting.

“What about these? They’re cute,” Sarah asks as she holds up a few lip balms shaped like teddy bears.

I take a look in our shopping cart to see what all we have for the wedding guests’ welcome bags. Painkillers for hangovers. Hand sanitizer. Spray on sunscreen. Sweet and salty snacks.

“Yeah, lip balm is a good idea,” I say.

“No one wants to kiss dry, chapped lips,” Sarah quips before tossing two handfuls of lip balms into the cart.

Nervousness flares up in my chest. I’m even afraid of her finding out about me and the guys. She’s my best friend, but she’s Ryan’s wife-to-be. She’ll definitely tell him.

“I think some gum would be a good idea,” I tell her as I push the cart down the aisle, leaning most of my weight on it.

I’ve been so tired lately. I’ve had so much to do for the wedding, and I’ve still been working. The stress from what I did with the guys doesn’t help either.

It has been so hard to focus on what I need to do.

“Good idea! Also good for kissing,” Sarah says with a sly smile as she loops her arm with mine.