Page 7 of Perfectly Wedded

“Of course, my littleFruit Loop,” I say sweetly.

Vale lifts an eyebrow.That’s the best you could come up with?

“I didn’t even know you were dating anyone,” Anthony says.

“Well, it just happenedso fast,” I say, thinking on my feet. “And we really aren’t telling people yet.” I hide my left hand behind Vale’s back since my ringless finger would be a dead giveaway.

“I see,” Anthony says, studying me. “Well, if you’ll excuse us, we have more people to talk to tonight.” He saunters off, Demetria tagging behind.

Now that the show is over, I step away from Vale, even though I liked his hands all over me. I hold up my fist for a quick bump, just to make it clear we’re back in the friend zone.No harm done.Just over here scrubbing that memory from my mind!“That. Was. Perfection.”

Vale hesitates for a second, his brows knitting together before his fist meets mine. “Whatever it takes, right?”

“Thank you, Vale—my adorableLucky Charm,” I add, pinching his cheek, just like he did to me earlier.

Vale grimaces. “Are you going to keep calling me cereal names?”

I laugh. “You don’t like them?”

“Couldn’t you call me stud-muffin? Or hot stuff?”

I laugh. “Please, those are so basic. You deserve something with more flair.”

He shrugs. “I’m kind of a basic guy.”

“Not to me,” I say, shaking my head. “And definitely not with those abs.”

Vale smirks. “You noticed my abs, huh?”

“Um, hello? It’s hard not to notice when they’re practically begging for attention.” I say. “I might need to splash some cold water on my neck after that. Could you hang out here for a minute while I head to the restroom?”

“Sure, but if I find any leftover cheesecake, I’m not sharing.”

“You better leave some of that cheesecake for me,” I say, glancing back at him with a smile. As I head toward the ladies’ room, a few women make eye contact with me.

“Congratulations on the news,” one woman says.

“Oh?” I wonder if she has me confused for someone else.

“Your future husband is gorgeous,” she adds with a sheepish smile.

“He’s not...” Then I stop myself. That’s when I realize why she’s congratulating me. I quickly text Vale from the ladies’ room.

Sloan

Word about our engagement has leaked, Cap’n Crunch.

Vale

I just had a woman tell me she’s sad I’m no longer “on the market.” Like this is a meat market and I’m a side of beef.

Sloan

You are pretty smokin’ hot.

Vale

That’s Cap’n Hottie Pants to you.

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