Page 20 of You Complicate Me

“I’m glad to meet you,” Grace finally said, surprised to find she meant it.

Sadie bounced a little on her heels. “It’s so good to finally have someone my age here to talk to about the wedding and everything.”

Wow, Grace thought. Either that was the best compliment ever, or Sadie was really clueless enough to believe they were part of the same generation. Meanwhile, standing next to Sadie made Grace feel like an AMC Pacer parked next to a shiny new Lexus.

“I’m happy to help with anything that needs done,” Grace offered. Even if being around you for extended periods of time could be devastating to my self-esteem.

“Who else is here, Sadie?”

“Well, we purposefully kept the guest list pretty small. It’s family only. Michael’s here, of course. And his parents, his grandmother, his cousin—though I haven’t met him yet…”

Grace resisted the urge to snort. Gage was probably hiding out in his room. The wuss. He was a doctor and Grace was shocked he’d made it through internship into residency, given his general disdain for people.

“…and on our side…” Sadie paused and rolled her eyes. “Aunt Lucille is here.”

Nick jerked back. “How the hell did you do that? As far as I know, she hasn’t been out of Jersey in thirty years.”

“Nickel slots in the casino,” Sadie said dryly.

“I guess that’d do it,” Nick replied, nodding his head.

“Oh, and there was also one…unexpected guest,” Sadie added, shooting Grace what could only be described as an apologetic look.

Before Grace could question her, someone behind her cleared his throat and said, “Hello, Grace, darling.”

At that moment, Grace understood what people meant when they said their blood ran cold—because she suddenly felt as if she’d just mainlined ice water.

Turning slowly on her heel, she came face-to-face with the last person on the face of the earth she wanted to see. “Hello, Brad,” she said quietly.

Chapter Ten

No way had this guy been married to Grace.

Had she taken pity on the poor bastard, or was her self-esteem so low she thought she couldn’t do better?

Nick wasn’t sure which possibility was more disturbing. What he did know, was that doucheBrad had been one lucky SOB.

Brad was about six inches shorter, 50 pounds lighter, and ten years older than Nick. He was also as beige as a guy could get. Plain features, light brown hair and eyes, wire-rimmed glasses, Brooks Brothers suit. He was willing to bet the guy drove a white BMW and the only exercise he ever got was a round of golf at some uppity country club that wouldn’t have Nick for a member.

Brad licked his lips nervously and took a step closer to Grace. Nick barely resisted the urge to grab him by the collar of that boring beige suit and toss him out on his boring beige ass.

“Grace, can we speak in private for a moment?”

His voice held a trace of an English accent that even Nick had to admit made him sound smart. Classy, even. It made Nick hate him just a little more. He’d struggled for years to get the Jersey out of his own voice and despite his best efforts, every now and then, it still slipped out.

Grace lifted her chin in a defiant look Nick was quickly becoming familiar with. He relaxed a little. Grace was going to flay the guy alive. Nick almost wished he had some popcorn so he could sit back and enjoy the show.

“No, Brad, we cannot speak privately. I’m here for my brother’s wedding. You were not invited. You need to leave.”

Sadie cleared her throat. “Well, that’s what I told him. But he says your mother invited him. I haven’t had time to ask her about it yet, though.”

Grace’s chin hit her chest and she pinched the bridge of her nose. “Seriously?”

“Quite,” Brad said, pushing his glasses up with his index finger. “I let your mother know my intentions, and she was kind enough to invite me to the ceremony and all preliminary activities.”

Grace sighed. “What do you want, Brad? What intentions could you possibly have for me?”

He brushed an invisible piece of lint off his suit jacket and looked her dead in the eye. “I intend to win you back.”

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