Page 11 of Icing the Enemy

“Where’s Presley?” Corbin asks him.

“Still playing major league soccer. She wanted to be here, but she’s overseas for the next two weeks.” Flynn’s eyes light up when he talks about her.

Flynn flits off to talk to someone else, and I feel a warm, large palm on my back. I look up at Corbin, but he’s guiding me to the elegantly dressed waiters. “Bacon-wrapped shrimp. Or butter-crusted asparagus?”

I take one appetizer, and Corbin takes five. “Five?”

“All I’ve had is those pecans from Buc-ee’s. You had a full meal if I remember correctly.”

“Not my fault,” I tease. “Let’s go to the appetizer buffet.”

On instinct, I lace my fingers through his, leading him through the crowded cocktail hour. Corbin’s hand is strong andwarm. How can holding hands make me feel gooey inside like the cream cheese icing on a cinnamon roll? As we reach the appetizer table, Corbin’s eyes light up at the sight of country ham sandwiches. He plucks a sandwich and takes a huge bite. The moan he produces sends shivers down my spine.

“Enjoying it?” I ask as a half-laugh escapes my lips.

“Country ham sandwiches. They’re my fave.” Corbin bites down and looks to be in heaven.

In my best Southern drawl, I joke, kind of. “Us country folk love our salty ham.”

“My mom always made raspberry jam that we dipped the sandwich in, or we spread it on the biscuit. I’m a sucker for the salty sweet combination.” Corbin wipes his mouth with the napkin.

As we chat with some of his friends. I listen, attempting to remember the names. I can’t believe I’m at this lavish wedding surrounded by professional athletes. And to top it off, I have the most handsome and generous man by my side. As a hairstylist, I never thought I would be wearing a designer dress and rubbing shoulders with the elite.

We get another drink, and an announcement is made that dinner is served. Finding our table number, Corbin is relieved we’re sitting at a table with his former teammates. However, when we find table number three, I’m shocked at who is also at our table.

I squeeze Corbin’s arm and whisper through closed teeth, “Oh my God. Is that Dane and Lettie Greathouse?” My armpits sweat as nerves overtake my body. “It’s one thing to sit with professional hockey players, but country music stars are on a whole different level in my book.”

“They bleed like the rest of us.” Dane and Lettie stand up, each giving Corbin a hug. Corbin kisses a pregnant Lettie on the cheek. “I’d like you to meet my friend Oakley.”

Dane says, “Nice to meet you.”

Lettie says, “How did you meet?”

“At a truck stop.”

Lettie throws her head back and cackles. At the same moment, another couple breaks in the circle. The guy says, “Hope Corbin treated you right on the way here. What’s your name?”

His wife adds, “Stop. Corbin is a sweetheart. I’m Brooke Cross, and this is my husband Reed. The guys love to give Corbin a hard time.”

Brooke seems to be about my size, so I say, “Thanks for letting me borrow this dress. It’s gorgeous.”

“No problem. If you need anything tomorrow for the 5k run in the park for Alzheimer’s, just let me know.”

Run? That’s a big fat no.

“I have shorts and a t-shirt, but thanks.” I don’t even know if Corbin is staying for it.

Reed leans in and presses a kiss to her lips. “Cookie, I’m going to check on the kids. Dane, Corbin, do you want to come with me?”

Corbin and Dane, the professional basketball player and one-half of the country music duo, follow him out.

Lettie drinks water while Brooke and I sip champagne and talk about how many children they have and how Corbin rode in on his F-150 and saved me, but then Lettie pops the inevitable question. “Are you into Corbin? Has this turned into a date? This is incredible. I think I’ll write a song about it and call it Truck Stop Love.”

I shake my head no but with a smile on my face. Our encounter is more likely to be a heartbreaker than a happily ever after. “If we dated and broke up, would Corbin even be mad? He seems easy going.”

Thoughts race through my mind about what my life would be if I dated Corbin Shearer. Games, dinner with friends, and I bet the sex is amazing. Not that I’ve experienced much, but I can dream of earth-shattering sex.

“He wouldn’t show it outwardly, but he would carry it with him. He doesn’t date. He’s waiting onthe one. “Lettie uses finger quotes.

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