Page 8 of Always a Bridesmaid

“Just because you won one championship doesn’t mean you can score with a lesbian.”

“Fine. If I score, you have to wear a ball cap that saysHenry Norris is my herofor the first press conference of the season, and if I strike out, I’ll wear one with your name.”

Jake smiled. He loved a good wager as much as Henry. “Deal.”

They shook on it and with a sip of Scotch, Henry headed toward the stunning redhead. He walked around the edge ofthe dance floor, which was packed with couples twirling to an instrumental version of Taylor Swift’s “Love Story,” when Sarah came up to him with a bright smile. He couldn’t help but smile back.

“There you are. I haven’t talked to you all night.” She slid her arms around his waist and rested her cheek to his chest.

He returned the embrace, kissing her on the crown of her head before letting go. “I have been doing my hosting duties.”

“Is that what you were doing when you were talking with Giselle?” She bit back a smile. “Hosting duties?”

Shit, he must have misunderstood her. The brunette was a friend of Sarah’s. Which made her off-limits. Not that it mattered; he had a new plan now. And it had nothing to do with the wager. Not that he’d let Jake know that. His mate would never let it go if he knew just how deeply this insta-attraction went.

“I see that look and you’re fine. She’s a co-worker, single, beautiful, sophisticated, a little full of herself, and completely surface. Just how you like them. She’s also completely within bounds,” Sarah said, mistakenly thinking he was still considering Giselle. “So, I’m giving the big green light.”

He was so busy looking for Red it took a moment for her words to soak in. “Full of herself and surface? Since when has that been my type?”

Was that really how his sister viewed him? As the kind of chap who was only interested in superficial, entitled birds?

Sarah snorted. “Since Chanel.”

“Just because I’m not looking for anything long term doesn’t mean I go through women like a revolving door.”

Sarah rested a compassionate hand on his arm. “You’re twisting my words. I’m just saying that right now you have a type and Giselle fits it. There’s nothing wrong with that and I didn’tmean to imply that you’re a womanizer. Just because I’m ready to settle down with the one doesn’t mean that you have to.”

“Can you tell Mum that?” he said, and they both laughed, dispelling the awkward tension. “Maybe she’ll stop trying to set me up with every single woman she meets.”

“As long as you promise to let loose this week and have fun.”

“We’ve been looking for you,” Debbie said, cutting through the crowd and before he could move, the woman was Velcroed to his chest in a suffocating hug.

“Group hug,” Jake said, appearing from nowhere, wrapping his arms around Henry’s back, making a sandwich. Before he knew it, he was surrounded by the entire family, including Sarah, who had the good sense to give him an apologetic look.

By the time the hug finally broke up people were staring, including a few that were looking as if they were considering asking Henry and Jake for a sandwich hug too.

Henry shot Jake aSee what you startedglare.

What?Jake lifted an innocent shoulder.

“Hank,” Debbie said as sweet as Julia’s Yorkshire pudding. “Do you mind if we grab a picture?”

Jake gave a shit-eating grin. “Yeah, Hank. A pic sounds great.”

“Mom,” Wayne said, aghast. “You were supposed to turn your phone in at the check-in counter. It’s a security thing.”

It was for this exact reason. Henry wasn’t the only high-profile person in the room. There were quite a few high rollers who expected privacy at an event like this, which was why Henry and Sarah had gone to such extravagant lengths, taking measures to prevent pictures appearing in the trash rags tomorrow.

“I just told them I was your mother. There was no way I’d miss this opportunity to capture this moment.” She turned toward him. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“Of course he doesn’t,” Jake said, clapping Henry on the back, with a gentle shove forward.

“Great. There’s a quiet alcove right over there that has a pretty view of the city.”

He followed Debbie like a good little soldier, relieved that the space wasn’t just quiet, it was discreet. He moved in front of the topiary and turned on the trademark smile. “Ready when you are.”

A series of uncomfortable looks passed between the group. Except Sarah, who was smiling like a cat who’d caught a wedding dove.

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