Page 102 of Three Grumpy Groomsmen

My heart is beating unnaturally fast and I feel like I’m seventeen, for whatever reason.

Then I realize I know exactly the reason—I want Harrison’s mother to like me because Harrison is important to me. Really damn important.

After I lightly shake her hand and say something I hope is polite, I turn and help Ivy into a sitting position.

“Are you enjoying Honeysuckle Harbor?” she asks, eyes masked with giant sunglasses so that I can’t read them. She does smile though and her voice sounds friendly, so I relax a little.

“Yes, we are, very much, thank you. Great food, even better people.”

She nods in approval. “Excellent. I understand you’re staying with Harrison. Is he being an adequate host?”

The image of Harrison naked in the shower sucking my cock leaps into my mind and I can’t get rid of it. “Excuse me.” I cough into my hand and turn and reach for a water bottle.

Ivy raises her eyebrows at me and assures Daphne, “Yes, of course. He’s been veryaccommodating.”

My cheeks feel like they’re on fire. For fuck’s sake, I think I’mblushing.

Oh, Ivy’s getting my hand on her sweet little ass for that later.

I clear my throat and face Harrison’s mother again. “Yes, especially on such short notice. We’re appreciative of his hospitality.”

She lowers her sunglasses a hair and gives me a wicked grin. “I bet. I have eyes and ears. Anyway, Ivy, I just wanted to let you know that we have an offer on your house for twenty-five thousand over asking price, no inspection and no other contingencies. Cash, with a seven day close.”

Ivy blinks. “Oh. Wow. That was fast.”

That was fast.

I know the market is hot, but it was only listed two days ago.

“You don’t have to be here for the closing. Everything is electronic, so you can return to L.A. whenever you’d like.” She rises to her feet. “In the meantime, enjoy your time here. I look forward to having more time to chat with you both.”

Then she’s walking away, and Ivy and I are left staring at each other.

“I guess you sold the house,” I tell her, surprised that I’m not more excited by that news than I am.

It was Brad’s stupid wedding gift that she didn’t even want.

I should be thrilled that it’s being taken off of her hands and she’s going to receive a large amount of money.

But she doesn’t look any more excited than I feel. “That was fast,” she repeats.

Her gaze drifts to the right, and I follow it.

Harrison and Ford are giving each other a one-armed friendly hug, the football tucked under Ford’s arm.

“You don’t want to leave, do you?” I ask.

“Not yet,” she admits. “What about you?”

“No. Not yet.” I sit down next to her on the towel and pull her into my embrace. “We don’t have to leave right away. We were planning to stay another week anyway, right?”

“Right.” She’s watching Ford and Harrison intently.

The guys are lining up with various relatives in a football play. The center passes the ball to Ford and yells out, “Go long, go long!”

Go long.

I wonder if our foursome could do just that.

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