Page 9 of Finding Her Leading Man

There’d been a shred of interest in the way she’d looked at him. Maybe he’d read into it too much, but there’s only one way to find out. “Yes. For the moment, I want one date with her.”

“Because a second date would make it some life-changing relationship?”

He poked her in her side, making her jump and swat his hand away. “Keep at it, four-eyes. I still haven’t written my toast for the wedding. I have a lot of juicy details that I can let slip.”

The laugh on her face evaporated. “Trev, you can’t tell anyone about what I do…did…crap.” She looked away.

He took hold of her shoulders. “Are you still hacking? Like before?”

She grimaced. “Maybe. A little.”

“How do you hack just a little?” He shook his head. “Never mind. You’re about to be Cameron’s responsibility to keep safe. Just don’t do anything stupid.”

“Have I ever?”

He crossed his arms. “You did date that guy who had you arrested. I think that would be a good story for my toast.”

“You better not.” Addie smiled and batted her eyelashes. “Not if you don’t want me to dish to Samantha a few of your dirty details.”

They both turned as Grayson’s motorcycle came into view with Juliana, Grayson’s fiancé, riding behind him. Juliana was Addie’s maid-of-honor and Cameron’s cousin. A sweet woman and perfect for Grayson.

The rumble of the motorcycle’s engine echoed off the trees around them before it cut off.

Trevor nudged Addie’s shoulder. “I’ll keep your prison record out of the toast if you just focus on your wedding and talking up all my marvelous qualities to Samantha. I’ll keep Mom and Dad occupied at that Rhonda’s Roadhouse, too. Who knows, maybe Samantha will be my date to the wedding after all.”

“That’s probably a long shot considering the woman wouldn’t even meet you for drinks without a character reference.”

“She’s been hurt, Addie. I don’t blame her for it, but I’d like for her to realize not all men are like her ex.”

“You have more patience than anyone I’ve ever met.” She hugged him, and he squeezed her tight in return. “You deserve someone better than that fake girlfriend you made up that will dump you soon.”

That couldn’t be farther from the truth. A woman, a relationship, deserved someone present. Someone who wanted to be tied down. Not be considered an obligation.

That’s what he and Addie had become to his parents growing up, and he wouldn’t do it to anyone. It’d been hell. Samantha or any woman who wanted a long-term relationship deserved a person to be around. To devote their time and energy to them.

He devoted all his time and energy to Grayson’s acting career. And that was the way he liked it.

Becky’s light blue coupe pulled into a spot on the grass beside Trevor’s car. Samantha sat in the passenger seat.

“Why is she here?” He moved toward the car, but Addie held onto his arm.

“Wait. There’s something I meant to talk to you about.”

She sounded panicked. “What?” Half his focus remained on Samantha and getting over to open her car door.

“The guy we had booked to play the music while I walked down the aisle canceled this morning. Becky had a crazy idea I wanted to run by you.”

Trevor patted her hand and pulled away. “You have a few weeks. I’m sure you’ll find someone.” He jogged around his car to hold open Samantha’s car door. “Hey, there.” She looked so nervous and unsure. It about killed him that some jackass put that into her eyes. “I figured you’d work at the diner today with Becky here for the big wedding meeting.” He’d come up with a hundred different excuses to drive into town later. “Not that I’m complaining about seeing you.”

“Becky brought me with her for some reason.” She pulled her hand away as soon as she’d stood. “She wouldn’t tell me why.”

“I’m happy to see you, whatever the reason.”

Her brown eyes lifted to his and then glanced away. “I don’t think you should get your hopes up, Trevor. I’m not in a good place. I definitely wouldn’t be fun on a date. At this point, I don’t want to date ever again.”

“I’ll be enough fun for both of us.” He watched Becky walk around the car, a large notebook under her arm, and a determined look on her face. Anyone judging Becky because of her petite frame would be in for a rude awakening. He’d knownofBecky long enough that her lookingthatway usually meant he wouldn’t like the outcome.

“A little birdie told me that you play the guitar,” Becky began. “And that you brought your guitar with you to Statem.”

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