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Chapter 6

Molly

I watch Todd and Trudy grab their order and promptly leave the cafe. Todd is basically dragging the poor girl along behind him.

The laugh I’ve been holding back for ten minutes frees itself from my mouth and Brooks breaks into laughter as well.

“What just happened?” I ask him, breathless from laughing.

He shrugs one muscular shoulder, which makes my brain flick back to the feeling of his hard chest beneath my hand. Todd’s chest definitely never felt that firm. How does Brooks find the time to work out? I know how often he works late into the night.

“I think I just became your fake boyfriend.” His bright blue eyes twinkle mischievously as he takes a bite from his sandwich.

I shake my head, smiling. “But why? What made you change your mind?”

He swallows, and his expression turns serious. He reaches across the table like he’s going to hold my hand, but something passes over his expression and he pulls his hand back. “Molly, I wasn’t about to let that jerk parade around with Trampy Trudy.” He wrinkles his nose as he says her name. “I will always be the guy on your side. Protecting you … whatever you need. A stupid bet won’t change that.”

There’s a rush of nerves deep in my stomach that performs a little somersault at his words, and the look he’s giving me. Brooks always has a jovial look about him with his boy next door vibe … but there’s something darker and more sultry about the way he’s looking at me now. Something I haven’t seen … or noticed before.

Sweat creeps onto my upper lip. Why is that always the first place to sweat when nervous? So unattractive. I reach for my drink as a distraction. Brooks is still looking at me causing me to miss my straw twice. I’m sure I look like a moron. I finally catch my straw and take a sip.

One corner of his mouth flinches slightly, like he’s amused. We eat silently for several minutes before I finally speak. “So, I’m guessing you have some formal wear, or a tux? If not, I’ll buy you something.”

He chuckles. “You’ve met my mother. The one and only Diane Windell. Of course I own a tux. Actually, I have a copious amount of formal attire.”

“How about a black suit with a red tie?”

“I’m sure I have at least a dozen red ties.” He grins.

“God bless you, Diane,” I tease, drawing a laugh from Brooks. “That will be perfect. My dress is red.”

“We’ll be the picture-perfect couple.” He winks. “So, do I need to book a hotel?”

I wave his comment off with my hand. “My parent’s cabin in Vermont is … generous in size. There will be plenty of room for you.” I’m used to wording things in such a way to play down my parent’s wealth, but their cabin is more than generous. It’s a literal mansion. If the front wasn’t constructed of logs, you’d never be able to refer to it as a cabin.

“All right. I’m kind of excited to finally see it.”

I smile fondly. “It’s one of my favorite places. If it wasn’t so peaceful and quiet out there, I probably wouldn’t be able to tolerate Christmases with my family.” I sigh. “It won’t really be the same with a hundred wedding guests—and my sister—terrorizing the place.”

His lips twist in a comical way, somewhere between a smirk and a grimace. “Well, at least I’ll be there to keep you company.”

I smile back, feeling a sense of calm wash over me. Sometime in the last six years, my best friend went from an arrogant boy to a caring man. A man who is putting my needs ahead of his own. It’s quite touching.

And knowing he’ll be there makes me feel so much better already.

That evening, I arrive home from work and slip my heels off the moment I walk through my front door. I’m juggling my large Fendi laptop bag, a water bottle, and my car keys when my phone pings three times in a row.

It never fails that my phone goes off the moment my hands are full. Could it have been blowing up while I was sitting at my desk earlier? Of course not.

Setting my items down in the built-in cubby by my door, I pull my phone out of my purse. A myriad of texts from Mildred appear. I close my eyes and take a deep breath before opening and reading them.

Mildred: Todd told Preston you found a date for the wedding?

Mildred: Please let me know who it is ASAP.

Mildred: I need to make sure your date will go with the wedding aesthetic.

Mildred: I know you rolled your eyes at that … but wedding photos last FOREVER.