Page 6 of The Wedding Wrecker

As the door closed behind him, I heard him call out, "Don't forget to wash your hands!"

I burst out laughing, then immediately regretted it as my bladder protested. Right. Focus. I had a mission to complete.

A couple minutes later, I emerged from the bathroom feeling Richardious, if slightly traumatized. James was leaning against the wall, looking unfairly attractive for someone standing in a medieval hallway. In fact, with a slight wardrobe change, I could’ve absolutely pictured him belonging in a place like this.

Prince James, Baron of Impeccable Genetics and heir to the throne of bedroom eyes.

"Successful mission?" he asked.

"Let's never speak of it again." I smoothed down my dress. "Though I do feel like I've really bonded with this castle now. Nothing says 'intimate connection' quite like peeing in ancient urinals."

"I'm pretty sure the bathrooms were added when they started using this place as a wedding venue. But don’t worry, I’m surethe castle still enjoyed the moment you two shared back there.” His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled.

I opened my mouth to respond with something witty—or at least something that wouldn't make me sound like a complete idiot—when voices echoed down the corridor. A group of men rounded the corner, and I recognized them as part of tomorrow's wedding party.

"Oh, Emma!" Mr. Harrison Senior called out in his booming Irish accent. "Checking the facilities for tomorrow, are you? That's dedication!"

I met James' eye, saw the laughter there. "Absolutely! Just making sure everything is..." I gestured vaguely, "up to standard."

"And?" Mr. Harrison asked.

"The urinals are excellent," I said with complete seriousness. "Very... architecturally sound."

Behind the wedding party, James had to turn away, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter.

I imagined Maggie’s laughter when I told her this story and found myself smiling. I wouldn’t even have to embellish it like usual. The real version was plenty ridiculous. But I doubted she’d believe me when I told her how gorgeous this James guy was. I was looking at him andIhardly believed it.

After the wedding party passed, leaving echoes of laughter in their wake, I turned back to James. "So, what brings you to Ashworth Castle? Are you with the wedding?"

Something flickered in his eyes—so brief I might have imagined it. "You could say that." His smile turned enigmatic. "Let's just say I'm here to make sure everything goes... according to plan."

"Mysterious," I said, trying to ignore the way his voice made my skin tingle. "Are you always this cryptic?"

"Only in castles." He checked his watch, and that flicker crossed his face again. "Speaking of plans, I should get going. I have a... meeting to prepare for."

"Right." I tried not to sound disappointed. "Well, thanks for being my bathroom bodyguard."

"Anytime." He started to walk away, then turned back. "Oh, and Emma?"

"Yeah?"

"Save me a dance at the rehearsal dinner tonight." His grin was pure sin. "Since we've already shared a bathroom, it seems like the natural next step."

I watched him disappear around the corner, my heart doing a weird little flutter in my chest. A dance. With him. At the rehearsal dinner.

The proper professional part of me said there was no way I could. I had a million things to prepare for the big day tomorrow. I was way too busy. Way too stressed. Way too…

Tempted.

2

EMMA

Iwas good at my job. Really good.

Which is why I noticed immediately when the wait staff started bringing out the wrong appetizers.

In the immortal words of Maggie:Oh, hell naw.

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