Page 30 of Taking Chances

“This is a nice place,” I say, looking around the wedding hall, while I pull Anne into my side. “I’m usually staying in these luxury resorts, and it’s nice to touch ground once in a while. In a place as quaint and rustic as this one.” Two can play this game, Mrs. Landstorm.

The thing with rich people is there’s always someone richer, and they can’t stand it.

The bride’s lashes are on the verge of falling off from the furious blinking while the groom smiles awkwardly.

Anne finally relaxes into me, and Bryce notices.

“Anyway, you guys enjoy yourselves. We have to say hello to some more people.”

“Sounds good.” I watch them leave.

“That was funny,” Anne says, and I take her hand. “Thank you.”

“There’s no need to thank me. That’s what boyfriends are for.” I bring her hand up and my lips graze her knuckles. A flushspreads up her cleavage to her neck and it’s hard to tear my gaze away.

“I guess blonds are your type, huh, baby?” I joke, sitting back down at the table.

“Guess so.” She chuckles though we’re both aware Bryce and I couldn’t be more different.

“How about I get you another drink?” She nods eagerly, so I get up and go to the bar, not bothering to ask her sister and brother-in-law.

“Can I get two glasses of Macallan?” I ask the bartender. A blond figure appears in my side-vision, and I immediately know who it is. “One more for the groom,” I add, showing three fingers to the bartender.

“Thanks. Though, you should know, Annie doesn’t drink whiskey.” His lips turn up into a sly smile.

“It’s an inside joke between us.” I smirk. “The last time we drank it, whew. Let’s just say it never tasted better.” I wink and his eye twitches. I guess my goal of putting an image of me licking the whiskey off Anne’s naked body was a success, so I clink his glass, internally toasting to it.

After taking an uncomfortable sip, the fucker is still not done.

“I’m glad she found you. I was afraid she would be desperate.” He feigns worry and I suppress a growl. “She’s a lovely girl, don’t get me wrong, but I was missing some… excitement.”

“Funny, she’s plenty exciting with me.” I can motherfucking guarantee that and I haven’t even touched her. “Maybe she just needed someone to actually excite her.” I try to keep my cool, but my insides are boiling with rage.

Anne deserves so much better than this guy. So much better than me, while we’re at it.

13

ANNE

Istare at Lennox as he walks away, wondering how the hell I’m going to survive the night. Like being at your ex’s wedding isn’t bad enough, I have to spend it being scrutinized by Kaitlynandkeep my body in check when it comes to Lennox. The latter is the hardest. In his tux, he belongs on a cover of a mafia romance novel, all long limbs and broad shoulders. His beard is neatly trimmed and every glance at his thick, tattooed fingers is an exercise in self-control.

Not that I can imagine something happening between us, but with his attention on me in his role of my fake boyfriend, my lady parts get confused.

I manage to turn my head back to the table, but quickly regret it.

“Really, Annie? That guy?” Brad basically snorts.

“It’s Anne. Not Annie,” I murmur.

“Oh, come on. Not this again.” My sister waves me off. “And Brad’s right.Thatguy?” She glances at the bar, her face scrunching as much as her fillers allow.

“What do you mean?” I act stupid, though I know exactly what she means.

“Bringing a tattooed mechanic to a sophisticated wedding? Might as well brought a delinquent.” She huffs.

“What’s wrong with Lennox?” No surprise, she’s a judgmental wench. She always was, but I was too far under her thumb to notice it.

“Come on. I know this is some sort of a teenage rebellion for you. But be realistic,” she scolds.

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