Page 118 of Nothing to Do

“No,” he agreed. “We haven’t.”

“Do you want to… talk… specifics?”

Before he could answer, the door behind them opened. Two men came through with two beauties behind them.

“Do a guy a favor and he doesn’t even stop to say hello,” the first guy said, slapping his hand to Zane’s to shake.

“Thea, this is Xander Gauge and his better half Rainie Tait.” The couple sat down across from them. “The other guy’s Reid, he doesn’t say much, which works best for us because Merci is much more fun.”

Everyone said hello and the other pair took their seats on the opposite side.

Zane kissed her hand and slanted closer. “Okay?”

Meeting his friends in smaller doses was definitely better. She showed that by guiding his mouth to hers. People would get lost in the crush at the rehearsal dinner. How would she know who was important and who wasn’t?

No, they still hadn’t had the conversation, but, hell, this weekend was about his friends coming together in love. This was that couple’s time. They’d find theirs when the moment was right.

THIRTY-SEVEN

AT THE HOTEL, they didn’t meet anyone else. Didn’t check in either. They went straight up to a ready and waiting suite. No word on their bags or special requests. Though there wasn’t time to ask too many questions. The dinner would start in an hour and she wasn’t that practiced at being glam in an instant.

Coming out of the closet in her dress, she stopped as he turned, framed by the window behind.

“Oh, wow,” she whispered.

“I’ll say,” he said and came over to offer his hand. “You’re breathtaking.”

“I’m breathtaking?” She ignored the hand to put a few feet between them and appreciate the view again. “You’re like, wow!” Sauntering over, she slid a hand up his chest. “Next time we’re going formal, factor in a little extra time.”

Height eluded her, with her boot, she could only wear flats, or, rather, flat. On her tiptoes, she waited for him to stoop to kiss her. They lingered a second until she dropped back.

“We could be a little late…”

Any other day, she’d take him up on that. “I’m meeting a lot of these people you consider family for the first time. What kind of impression would that give?”

“That you’re dedicated to this relationship, and to seizing the moment.” After another kiss, he linked their fingers. “Come meet everyone.”

Yeah, it was the everyone part that scared her a little. She’d be fine. As a rule, she didn’t avoid crowds, but this was important. These people were important to a man who meantthe world to her. In the elevator, alone, waiting for the doors to close, this felt like a last chance.

“Zane, I have to—”

“Hold the door!” Zane hit the open button, but a woman squeezed in through the gap before it opened again. “Oh, hey!” The stranger grabbed Zane’s lapels and yanked him down to kiss him hard. “You need to stop disappearing.”

“Yeah, so I’ve been told,” he said and stepped back to gesture at each of them. “This is—”

“I know who this is,” the woman said looking down and then up. “The boot really gives the outfit zing.” The doors began to slide closed again. “You should know, I’m considering having an affair with your boyfriend.”

“Babycakes,” a not so happy male called from outside.

“Just ignore him,” the woman said, diverting Zane’s hand from the button, so this time the doors closed. “He could use the exercise.”

Zane’s amusement bloomed. “You’re going stag?”

“Now you have two dates,” the woman said, taking his other hand to wrap his arm around her.

Oh-kay, this was awkward. Until Zane laughed.

“Before you scare off the woman I love, introduce yourself, Roux.”

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