Page 16 of Resist

“Sponsorship stuff for the team and a little side trip with my wife.”

“Wife?” Ryker sputters with eyes wide and a hand coming up to cover the cough he gives in disbelief.

“Wife,” Colton says with an unabashed shrug and no-holds-barred grin, and the way that Ryker just stares at him tells me this news is definitely a shock.

“You’re giving me a heart attack here,” Ryker says through a laugh and pats his chest.

“Even the most stubborn of us fuckers fall one day. Just you wait.”

“Nah. Not me. You know me better than that.”

“And you sound just like I used to.”

Ryker stares at him for a beat, grin widening and head shaking as if he can’t believe it. “How? When? Never mind—I’m happy for you if you’re happy.”

“It’s almost been five years, and it was close family at the ceremony. Sorry there was no invite. You know how it goes.”

“The goddamn paparazzi.”

“Exactly. But yes, very happy.”

“Is she here? When do I get to meet the woman who tamed Colton fucking Donavan?”

“You actually think I’d let her near you?” he jokes and then blanches when Ryker shifts some and he notices me. I can see the word fuck glance through his eyes when he sees me there and realizes what he just said. “I’m sorry.” He takes a step toward me and extends his hand. “Colton, nice to meet you.”

I fumble over the right name. The V is on my lips, but I catch myself before Vaughn falls out. “Saxony. Nice to meet you.”

We shake hands, his smile genuine if not a little bit embarrassed for insinuating that Ryker is a player when he’s unaware of the state of our relationship.

“First date,” Ryker says as Colton winces with the knowledge that he might just have fucked things up for his buddy.

At least the man has manners.

“What’s she doing with you?” Colton laughs. “This guy’s a pain in the ass.”

“I’m learning,” I murmur as I bring the glass of wine to my lips and watch them above the rim.

“I’ll leave you two, but it was great meeting you,” Colton says with a nod.

“Likewise.”

“So, wife? Do I get to meet her?” Ryker asks as they step a few feet away toward Colton’s table.

“She’s not here,” Colton says, but then I can’t hear the rest as they finish their conversation.

But I watch them. Where Ryker is refined yet rugged, Colton Donavan is refined but edgy. It’s like a battle of sexiness with the two of them standing there, and hell if any woman would complain about which man won the fight.

“Next time you’re in town . . . ,” Ryker says.

“Yeah, yeah.” Colton flashes a grin and shakes his head before turning and walking away.

Ryker heads back to our table and sits down. “Sorry about that. Just an old friend.”

“No worries,” I say. “Good friend?”

“Something like that.” Ryker picks up his glass and takes a sip. “See? I am talking.”

I snort and roll my eyes. “To everyone else, yes.”