Page 4 of The First Best Man

Oh, no.Shit. No, no, no.

I can’t let this beautiful beast of a man kiss me when I’ve been eating chili-cheese fries and drinking beer! Imean sure, he’s been having the same, but still. Not happening.

Sliding off my stool, I grab my purse from the hook beneath the bar and offer Tucker a small smile. “I’ll…um…be right back. Ladies’ room. Yeah.”

I speed-walk away with a stiff spine and hot cheeks. Oh, God. Could I have sounded any more like an idiot?

I rush into the restroom, thankful to find it empty. Bracing my hands on the sink, I stare at my reflection and take a few deep breaths to calm myself. When I’m a little steadier, I pull out a travel-sized bottle of mouthwash I keep in my purse for emergencies.

And this is definitely an emergency.

I swish the liquid around in my mouth, letting the alcohol burn away the germs before tilting my head back and gargling for a few beats. I spit it out into the sink and breathe deep through my open mouth, smiling at the sparkling fresh taste of mint.

Realizing I actually do have to pee, I use the toilet before washing and drying my hands. Then I pull some cherry-flavored lip gloss from my bag and swipe some onto my lips before fluffing my dark curly hair.

Okay. I think I’m ready.

I leave the ladies’ room, putting a little sway in my strut as I head back to the bar. Halfway across the restaurant, my steps stutter to a stop. Tucker’s stool is empty. My gaze flits around the whole dining room, but he’s nowhere to be seen.

I try to suppress the disappointment as I start moving again. When I reach my stool, I look at the leftover fries on my plate and realize my appetite is gone. A glance at the television proves my show is over, too.

Jasper approaches the other side of the bar top, a slight smirk on his face. “That guy asked to pay your tab. I tried to tell him it wasn’t necessary, but he insisted.”

“He left?” I ask, trying my best to keep my voice free of emotion.

“I don’t know,” he says, looking around. “I didn’t see him leave, but I was helping another customer. Maybe he’s in the bathroom.”

“Maybe,” I say, then jerk my head toward a woman waiting to order a little further down the bar.

I slide back onto my stool, my eyes darting toward the hall where the bathrooms are located every few seconds. At least five minutes pass, and I have to finally admit the truth to myself.

Tucker’s not in the bathroom. He ducked out while I was gone.

Because he never had any desire to kiss me.

I shouldn’t be surprised. Why would a guy who looked like that want to kiss someone like me?

I shake my head and wave to Jasper, signaling that I’m leaving. He waves back, and I head for the door.

It’s fine. I’m fine. I’ll go home and pretend I never met the man. It’s not like I’ll ever see him again, anyway. He’s a tourist. Just passing through.

So, it’s good that we didn’t kiss.

Really. I’mfine.

CHAPTER TWO

Kate

“Penny,stop eating all the green ones. They’ll make you sick, not horny.”

Where did that urban legend even come from? Why on earth would green M&M’s make a person horny? And why did we, as thirteen-year-old girls, smile and giggle as we picked all the green ones out and ate them first? It’s not like we really even knew what “horny” meant at the time.

Penny giggles like we’re still thirteen and not grown-ass adults, sitting in her living room, gathering the chocolate and peanut goodies into small pouches of sheer organza for herwedding.

“Maybe we should’ve gone with the Jordan almonds,” she sighs, then laughs as I pretend to dry heave. “I know. I know. They’re gross. But now I’m horny as hell after all these green M&M’s.”

“Nuh-uh,” I say as she leans toward me and fluttersher eyelashes. “I’m sorry, babe, but I only like you as a friend.”

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