Page 2 of Hot Shot

“Yes.” He reaches out and swivels a laptop computer on the polished wood bar. “I found this site called The Knot. They tell you everything about weddings and engagements.”

“That’s where you got the idea to host an engagement party for Hayden and Beck?”

“Yeah. See, it says here usually engagement parties are hosted by the bride’s parents. But Hayden’s parents are gone, and I don’t think her Aunt Gina and Uncle Colin are up to it, since Gina had her fall. Apparently she still isn’t as mobile as she used to be.”

My heart thaws minutely. “True.”

“The groom’s parents could also do it, but . . . well, Beck and his folks aren’t exactly close.”

I nod, sadly aware of that fact, too.

“So I thought their closest friends should do it. Namely, us.”

I sense the distaste in his tone of voice.Too bad we hate each other.

Okay that’s not strictly true. Marco annoys me. He more often than not wears a brooding scowl, although he manages to turn on the charm around customers in the bar. He clearly regards me as an airheaded blond bimbo, flirting with me but also mansplaining things to me that make me grit my teeth. Lately he seems even moodier than usual.

Plan a party with him? God, I’d rather pose naked for a billboard on the 405.

But Hayden is my best friend. And Beck makes Hayden happy. And dammit, it’s kind of cute how Marco looked up this wedding website, and it’s actually sort of thoughtful that he wants to plan a party to help our friends celebrate their engagement. Actually, it’s somethingIshould have thought of. Which annoys me even more.

“We’re thinking of Sunday, August 6,” he continues. “We can do it here. Close down the bar for the evening.”

That does sound like a fun idea.

“We need some help from you to plan the guest list,” he says. “Obviously, we’ll invite Hayden’s aunt and uncle. But who else? Some of her coworkers? Other friends?”

I bite my lip. “Yes, I know who to invite.” I pause. “What about invitations?”

“Yeah, we’ll need those. And maybe you can handle the decorations? Cade and I will look after the food and drinks.”

Cade is his other Navy SEAL buddy and business partner at Conquistadors.

“Decorations?” I peer at the computer screen. “How do you decorate for an engagement party?”

“It says to plan a theme that’s different from the wedding.”

I shoot him a smirk. “You’re really into this, aren’t you? Doesn’t this go against your man card, or something?”

“My man card is secure,” he says, his face impassive. “But I’m willing to prove it to you anytime you want.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, thanks, but no.” I read the text on the website. “Okay, well, Hayden and Beck haven’t even started planning their wedding yet, so who knows what style it will be. If it’s up to Hayden, they’ll get married at city hall one day on her lunch break.”

“We won’t let that happen. She deserves to be a beautiful bride for one special day.”

I turn my head and give him a long look. Dammit. He cares about Hayden. That makes it harder to hate him. “You sure about that man card, Mr. Romance?”

He gives a tiny movement of his lips and chin, a nod and a smile that are so subtle yet ooze confidence and masculinity. “Keep questioning me and I’ll think you really do want me to prove it to you.”

“Ugh.” I pick up my coffee and sip. “Okay. I’ll do the decorations, the invitations, and the guest list.”

Marco reaches out to touch the track pad, his arm brushing mine. I jerk back, nearly spilling my coffee. “Also, we can play games.”

For a moment, I think he’s talking about us. Me and Marco. My jaw drops.

Then I realize he means party games. This big grouch is planning party games? “No. No games. Hayden wouldnotgo for that.”

“Hey, Beck’s little professor is loosening up. Sure, she’ll play some games. Plus, since this is a chance to introduce people to each other, friends and family of the bride and groom, games are a good way to get people talking and break the ice.”

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