Page 11 of The Best Man Wins

Two things I learn from my trip to the West apartment:

One, Cora and Ray are adorable. I stayed at their place an hour longer than expected as they rattled off rapid-fire ideas and Braxton supplied me with cool, cucumber-infused water.

Two, Braxton West is going to be a thorn in my side.

Not only is he cynical, aloof, and incredibly distracting in his expensive suits and stacked arms, but he is also actively seeking to destroy my assignment.

Well, he can keep dreaming. Because I’m a woman on a mission. I take notes at the meeting. I take notes all through the night. I take notes on the plane days later as we stall before takeoff.

I’m doodling ceremony arrangements and trying to ignore the plastic, recycled-air smell as the captain’s voice crackles over the intercom. “This is flight 215 to Charleston, South Carolina. All remaining passengers please take your seats so we can take off on time—”

“Excuse me, miss, I believe you’re sitting in my seat.”

I snap my head up. Thom stands like a long-limbed egret perched over my row.

I screech with joy, jump out of my seat, and fling my arms around his shoulders. “Oh my God, I’m so glad you’re here. You’re my Superman. What would I do without you?”

“Luckily for you, my dear, you never have to know the answer to that. I’m like glitter. You can never really get rid of me.” Thom presses a kiss to my cheek.

“And me! I’m here too!” Sweet-as-pie Marlee peeks out behind the goliath that is Thom. She’s balancing three different bags like an ant, small but mighty.

I don’t hug her for fear of toppling her over, but a grin spreads across my face. Anxiety that I didn’t realize I was holding in my chest molts away like old feathers. “The gang is all here,” I say. A pound of pressure falls from my shoulders. I don’t have to do this alone.

“You look terrible, Susie. Have you gotten any sleep?”

“Who needs sleep when you can fill out Excel spreadsheets instead?” Then a thought comes to me and prompts a frown. “Did Letty send you to babysit me?”

“Oof, no, nothing so cavalier,” Thom replies. He sidles past me and folds himself like origami into the window seat. Marlee shoves all the bags in the overhead before clambering into the seat behind us. “Think of me as your very dapper chaperone. Speaking of dapper.” Thom leans in conspiratorially. “Eye candy in first class, ten o’clock.”

I follow Thom’s gaze, and I groan. “Not just any eye candy,” I whisper back, equally conspiratorial. “That’s our best man.”

Braxton is as stiff as ever. He’s in first class, of course, while the rest of us squeeze like sardines back in coach. He’s dressed in an ash-grey suit and a stark white shirt, and, I have to admit, I get a sudden flash of memory: drawing my fingers through his tight, curly hair as I guide him down between my legs…

No. Bad thoughts. I scatter them. He’s sitting next to Cora, who is rattling on and pulling out what looks like every item in her bag, tossing the contents in his lap. Braxton, as always, looks patiently miserable.

“He is going to drop the panties of every bridesmaid,” Marlee sighs wistfully as she pops her head over the back of Thom’s seat.

I want to tell them that Braxton already has dropped panties. I’m a terrible secret keeper, and it’s clawing at the back of my throat like a bad allergy. But I keep that dirty little nugget to myself for the time being. Especially when our shameless staring attracts the attention of the staree, who glances over his shoulder and locks eyes with us.

“Oh shit.” I grab my blueprint and start tracing lines with my pen. “We’ve been spotted. Look busy.”

Thom grabs his Margaret Atwood novel and cracks it open. We’re both intently looking intent when my paper goes dark with a familiar shadow.

“Susie Posy.” Braxton’s voice is caramel smooth and just as tasty. There’s an ever-elusive hint of a smile on his lips. “We have to stop meeting like this. People will talk.”

“Oh, well, you know.” I flick my pen between my fingers. “It’s not that strange, actually. We’re all going to the same place, so.”

“I haven’t a damn single clue what we’re going to find at Ray’s family home,” he starts. Braxton’s hand clutches the back of my seat, making him incredibly close. “Do you?”

“You know. Just the best South Carolina has to offer. Old-school farmhouse…from what he’s told me, it’s supposed to be insanely cute.”

“Right.” Braxton’s eyes flicker over to Thom, and he extends a hand. “Braxton West. I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“We haven’t. Thom Eaton.”

“And Marlee!”

“Are you Susie’s plus one, then?” Braxton doesn’t let go of Thom’s hand. Instead, his eyes glint like a freshly sharpened blade. Is he…possessive?

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