Page 19 of Taking Chances

Noah and Alex aren’t here today, they had other plans.

“Bryce knows Noah and I are just friends.” I sigh. “Plus, he met Alex.”

“OK, Noah’s out.” She motions her finger over her throat, and Matt snorts.

“I’m sure he’ll be devastated,” Matt responds.

“How about. . .” Natalie’s eyes land on the one person whose presence I’m trying to ignore. “Lennox?”

“Who? Me?” he asks, almost choking on his drink.

“He would be kind of perfect.” She shoots a predatory look his way. “He’s so damn hot. Bryce would eat his heart out seeing you with him. No offense, Matt.” She remembers her husband sitting next to her. Matt shakes his head, chuckling. He’s used to her antics.

“How would that even work? We’d pretend we’re hanging out?” Lennox eyes us warily, obviously reluctant.

“Nope. That would never work. I don’t do casual sex, and Bryce knows that,” I respond. This plan is horrible.

“She’s right,” Rina states. “If we want this to work, you need to seem totally enamored with her.”

“Obsessed,” Natalie adds. “Like the sun rises and sets with her. Like she’s the reason you get up each morning.”

“Fuck,” Lennox groans.

“Look, it wouldn’t work either way. Who would believe thathe’s into me?” I fake a laugh, my eyes burning.

Lennox’s eyes land on mine for a second, his brows furrowing before he looks back at Natalie. “I’ll do it.” His deep voice makes my skin prickle.

“You really don’t have to. I don’t think I should go to the wedding, anyway.” I leave him room to escape this horrible plan.

“No, youshould. Especially now that you havethisas a date.” Natalie gestures at Lennox like it’s enough of an explanation. And it is.

“I agree with them.” Lennox shrugs, picking up his drink.

Even the simple move looks manly on him. His beard is longer and lusher now, so I can addruggedto the endless list of positive adjectives to describe Lennox Cade. I don’t know why he’s doing this, but I’m grateful. Though the whole thing is out of character for me, desperate times call for desperate measures.

“Let’s see when and where is this thing.” Natalie grabs the invitation and studies it. “Woodland? That’s like two hours away.”

“Yup, it’s an estate of sorts. So, we would have to stay overnight.” I look at Lennox apologetically.

“Fine with me.” He shrugs again. His black-gray flannel does nothing to hide the wide shoulders and muscles that must lurk underneath. “I can book us a room.”

“I’ll do it. The least I can do is book us rooms.”

“Rooms? Are you insane?” Natalie whisper-yells. “You want everyone to believe you’re crazy about each other, right?” I nod. “One room.” She lifts up a finger like I’m a child and she’s telling me I can only have one piece of candy. Shooting us both a warning look, she takes Matt’s arm and leads him to the dance floor. Rina and Connor follow their lead, leaving Lennox and me alone.

10

LENNOX

I’m unsure how it happened, but somehow I volunteered to be Anne’s date for her ex’s wedding.

What a fucking douche, inviting her to the wedding.

Natalie’s right. The best thing for her is to show him how she’s thriving without him. Even though she’s obviously drowning. She must have really loved him.

“Don’t worry, I’ll sleep on the couch or a chair,” I tell her since her face is flushed with the thought of sleeping in the same room as me.

“Thank you for doing this. I can’t seem to stop embarrassing myself in front of you.” She offers me a sad smile, her eyes still glossy. “I’m a mess.”

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