Page 2 of Payoff Pitch

I know he means that. Trey and Gemma have a perfect marriage. I’m equal parts happy for him and envious of what they share. The same goes for Layton and Arizona. They’re the real deal too. Madly in love.

Cheetah shrugs as he slaps Trey’s back. “It’s the greatest ride because you married a smart woman with a smokin’ body who writes about sex and asks you to act out the scenes. She’s a unicorn.”

Gemma DePaul is an attorney by day and romance author by night. She’s all the things Cheetah mentioned.

Trey smiles with pride while Cheetah refills the shot glasses and encourages everyone to hold theirs in the air. “Lancaster, you found a unicorn too. May all your ups and downs only occur in the bedroom.”

Everyone laughs and clinks glasses except Quincy, whosimply shakes his head and grumbles, “Can we please not talk about my sister in the bedroom?”

Cheetah winks. He and Layton both say things like that in front of Quincy all the time just to mess with him.

After one last round of shots, it’s showtime.

The music starts playing and the planner is gradually connecting each of us with our bridesmaid counterpart to walk down the aisle. That’s when Bailey comes into view for the first time tonight. She’s in a tight royal-blue strapless dress. It’s ankle length with a slit up the side, showing a hint of her long, toned legs. The same ones that were wrapped around my face just a few days ago.

Her normally straight hair is wavy and pinned back on one side. Her makeup is professionally done. She’s a vision.

As we come together and I offer her my arm, I whisper, “You’re beautiful.”

A shy smile finds her lips as she looks me up and down and takes my arm. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

“You’re coming home with me tonight so I can tear that dress off you.”

“What about—”

“She’s sleeping out.”

We walk down the aisle. I couldn’t even tell you what music is playing. I’m completely besotted with the woman on my arm.

We watch on as Layton and Arizona tearfully vow to love each other forever. I did that once. Fallon and I promised forever. It turns out that forever was a little over four years. At least we produced Harper. That’s the only silver lining.

I stare at Bailey, who’s crying tears of joy as the vows are read. Could I ever do this again? If I did, it would be for Bailey. I told her we could only be casual, and she accepted that. She’s so much younger than me. She doesn’t even turn thirty until next year. She’s got too much life to live. I don’twant to hold her back, but I can’t seem to let her go. I don’t think I want to.

Layton just recited his vows. His sentence, “You’re everything I never knew I always needed,” resonates as I continue to stare at the beautiful brunette on the other side of the aisle.

The officiant eventually announces, “You may kiss the bride.”

Layton dips Arizona and kisses her in a manner that I’m happy Harper isn’t here to witness. Cheetah shouts, “Save it for tonight, big guy.”

Layton stands upright as he and Arizona smile blissfully into each other’s mouths. I love seeing my friend so happy. He’s had a hard life and deserves this.

“May I present Mr. and Mrs. Layton and Arizona Lancaster.”

Layton holds their joined hands in the air as a sea of applause erupts, and they work their way back up the aisle.

The reception immediately kicks into high gear with the music blaring and bodies on the dance floor. I watch from the wings as Bailey happily dances with her friends—Arizona, Ripley, and Gemma—as well as her twin sister, Kamryn. All of them except Gemma play on the professional softball team the Philly Anacondas.

Bailey and Kamryn are considered identical twins with their long dark hair, big chocolate-brown eyes, and stunning figures, but the two couldn’t be more different. Kamryn is brash and promiscuous. Bailey is neither of those things. She’s shy and introspective. She’s classy and kind, without a bad bone in her body. In other words, she’s perfect. Too perfect.

The faster song ends, and a slow one begins. All the couples pair off, leaving Bailey alone. She’s close friends with Ezra. I know he’ll rescue her, but I can’t stomach thethought of his hands on her gorgeous body, one I’ve spent hours worshiping.

I see him step toward her but then stop when he sees me doing the same. Despite his best efforts, he knows she prefers me to him.

I approach her from behind and run my hand down her arm. Goosebumps immediately erupt on her soft skin.

She turns in my arms and smiles. “People will talk.”

“What people? No one else is here.”

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