Page 176 of Crazy for this Girl

Maybe I want him here bad enough that I conjured him up. I did say I was becoming unhinged with the back and forth in my head, so it wouldn’t totally phase me to the point where I think I need some professional help.

“My brother spent hours working on his first dance with Marie,” a male voice states from behind me. “Sadly enough, I was his dance partner.”

Glimpsing over my shoulder, a man in a matching suit and tie looks down at me, showing me the similarities of James being his sibling. With sandy blonde hair and a lean frame, he gives me an amiable smile in greeting.

“You did a good job,” I offer lightly. “I haven’t seen Marie flinch once from him stepping on her toes.”

His lips widen. “I should’ve asked to be paid. He was awful.”

“I’d have to agree then.”

“The things we do for your siblings.” He lifts a curious brow. “Do you have any?”

“A younger brother.”

“Oh, man.” He smiles and shakes his head. “James is younger than me too and he was a complete pain in my ass. I’m Tristan.” He holds out long fingers for me to shake. “And you’re too beautiful to be standing here alone without a date.”

I heave a brow. “Who said I was alone?”

Tristan closes the distance between us and shrugs his body upward as if to dismiss his words for being anything but observant. “I didn’t see you here with anyone earlier.”

“They could’ve gone to the bathroom.”

“And left you by yourself?” His palm falls to my bicep. “Not to sound totally creepy, but you stand out.”

“It totally sounds creepy, Tristan,” another voice claims roughly, seizing my attention to my right. “And she’s not alone. If you don’t drop your fucking hand from her body, I’m going to rip it off.”

Tristan abruptly drops his hand and looks over with me to find Cal Harper from just a moment ago filling out his navy blue suit like it was custom made for him—it probably was—and honing down on poor ‘ole Tristan with a withering glare.

“If this is your idea to get a dance with her,” Tristan claims smoothly. “It’s a little aggressive.”

Oh, boy.

Cal quirks a brow, but his expression doesn’t falter. “Aggressive.” It’s not a question, but a repeat of the adjective Tristan just used. “Yeah, I guess that’d be the right word. Tack on obsessed too while you’re making a list, Tristan, because you’re speaking to my future wife. And I’ll strangle any man who puts his fingers on her.”

“Cal,” I warn through knitted brows. “Go grab a drink.” And get lost. He’s not about to embarrass me in front of our co-workers and friends.

Well, my friends.

He won’t be here forever and won’t have to deal with the gossip or weird looks.

“Are you coming with me, Miss Reese, because I can’t be trusted to be left alone.”

I glower at him. “No. You’ll be fine.” I want to add that he’s grown as fuck, too, but that would mean arguing with him in the middle of a crowded dance floor.

Quickly, I glance around, thankful that no one is paying any mind to our exchange. Some people have joined in with Marie and James, while others continue to take pictures and videos off their cell phones.

The smell of cedar and sandalwood fills my nostrils and I know that my childhood best friend has gotten closer. Swiveling my head back, Tristan is still standing there, holding his ground against the all-crazy Cal Harper while said man is peering down at me with challenge.

“Do you want me to make a scene, or did you just want to bite down on your pride and come with?”

“Cal, I don’t want a drink.”

“Those two tequila shots enough?” He’s been here the whole reception. I don’t even have to ask him from that remark.

“Now, you’re being the creep.”

“Tell Tristan to fuck off.” Cal’s green eyes nail in the menace he can cause right into my very soul. The risk he is with ruining Marie’s wedding to where he would give zero fucks on the matter.

---