Page 80 of Hot Shot

“I’m going to have two best men.”

“Oh.”

“Marco will be my witness. We flipped a coin.”

“Really?” Her forehead creases.

“No.”

I laugh.

“We decided it on the basis of who I’ve known longer, even though it was, like, five minutes. But otherwise I can’t pick between them, so I’m having two best men.”

“Well . . . sure.” Hayden shrugs. “I guess it doesn’t matter. I’m not into all the formalities.”

“I didn’t think you’d have a problem with it.”

“Of course not.” She smiles at him, then announces, “I found a dress today.”

“Oh great.” Beck smiles fondly at her. “Can’t wait to see you in it.”

“It’s gorgeous,” I say. “I can’t wait for you to see it, too.” Call me romantic, but a groom seeing his bride in her wedding dress ready to walk down the aisle is a special moment, and I’m truly eager to see Beck’s face when he sees Hayden.

“We found one for Carrie too,” Hayden adds. “Hey, we need food. Can we go order something?”

“Of course.” Beck pats Hayden’s ass as she turns to leave the office. “Let’s all grab a bite.”

We parade out to the bar where happy hour is in full swing.

“Maybe we shouldn’t take up a table.” I survey the full house.

“It’s fine.” Beck leads the way to an empty table in a corner. “I’ll grab some menus.”

“Not like we need them,” Hayden says. “We eat here often enough.”

“Hey, there are a few new things,” Marco says. “Sid’s been trying to come up with new ideas.”

“That burrito pie wasn’t bad,” I say.

“It doesn’t seem to be a big hit,” Marco admits. He pulls out a chair for me and I wink and smile at him as I sit.

“I think people who come here to sample high-end tequilas are looking for more than burgers and tacos,” Hayden says, taking the menu that Beck hands her.

Marco sighs. “Yeah, that’s what we’ve concluded. And it’s becoming more obvious that Sid’s not the guy to handle that.”

I can see how much it dismays him to possibly have to fire their cook. I reach out and lay my hand atop his and squeeze.

Then realize what I’m doing. I just told Hayden what’s going on between Marco and me, but we haven’t exactly been open with anyone else about sleeping together. I catch Beck’s gaze on us, and with my usual good instincts, I know that he knows.

Everyone knows.

Ah well.

Hayden would’ve told Beck anyway, I have no doubt of that.

When we talked about it over glasses of wine, Hayden was oddly concerned about Marco. “Because you’re leaving,” she pointed out to me unnecessarily.

“That’s why he’s good with this,” I explained. “Because it won’t turn into anything long term. He doesn’t want that.”

---