Page 18 of Winning the Nightcap

Aiden: Meet for drinks in our spot at 10?

Bec: By our spot, do you mean the hotel bar or behind the ice machine on the 14thfloor?

Aiden: I do have fond memories of the 14th floor, but let me buy you a drink and get my fill of you before you get your fill of me.

Bec:Promises, promises. See you at 10, stranger.

* * *

My stomach has been doing flips since Aiden messaged me, and it flips again as I reread our text conversation for the millionth time. It could bethe hangover, but most likely it’s him and the thought of where tonight might lead.

“I’m going to assume the dopey smile on your face has something to do with the mysterious Mister Hickey. I’ve waited long enough. Who are you hooking up with this weekend and do they have a friend for me?” Dee is relentless. I surrender rather than prolong the inevitable. She’ll get it out of me eventually.

We’re waiting in the ceremony space for the rest of the party to arrive so the wedding planner can start the rehearsal. Everything about this hotel is beautiful. Tomorrow, Ellie and Dom will get married in the rooftop garden courtyard. The atmosphere is perfect; twinkling string lights cascade around the space, casting it with a golden glow. The sky above is painted with streaks of a rose-hued sunset. The floral arrangements are heavy with rich purple blooms and greenery, offering a refreshing spring fragrance. The picturesque view of the city skyline is an awe-inspiring backdrop.

I share the details of how I met Aiden—no last name—with Dee while we wait. To say her face is glowing with amusement is an understatement. She’s practically steepling her fingers, grinning like I imagine a tiny devil on my shoulder would.

“Well, well, well. Bec came to this wedding ready for somefun.I’m happy for you. You deserve a romp with a hottie, and this Aiden sounds like he could deliver. Plus, he’ll be starving for you when he sees you in this dress tonight.”

That’s the idea. I brought a few options for the rehearsal but opted for the bolder choice. A satin, cap-sleeved, red wrap dress with a plunging neckline and the hem falling just below my knees with a less than modest glimpse of my thigh peeking through the slit with every step.

“So…does he have any friends or what?” She playfully bumps my hip with hers. I hear Dom’s boisterous voice echoing through the space as he greets a few others from the wedding party who must have joined the group.

“Dee, I literally know nothing about this guy other than he’s hot as fuck, knows how to kiss, and he’s here until Sunday.” He’s the perfect candidate for my weekend fling. No drama, no attachments, no pressure. And if his kiss is on par with his other…skills, then I’m in for the ride of my life.

Chapter Twelve

Aiden

The Wedding

After the bachelor party last night, I considered texting Bec. I don’t want to assume anything, but in case we continued what we started, I didn’t want us hooking up while I was drunk.

The brutal hangover this morning was a reminder of how hard Dom’s family and the other groomsmen can party. Dom’s older brother, Jake, and his husband, Chris, were passing shots around like they were water. The thought of whatever the fuck the last shot was makes my stomach uneasy.

“Aiden, man, glad to see you looking better.” Jake reaches out and claps me on the shoulder.

“I can’t be the only one hurting after last night. You were all drinking the same shit as me.” I shoot a pointed look toward him and Chris. They both plaster on guilty smiles.

“Oh please, we took it easy on you.” Chris laughs. “It’s not our fault your tolerance is shit. I bet your body is just in shock since you don’t let loose like that during the season. I’m surprised you could even get away for the wedding.”

When Dom asked me to be a groomsman, I assumed I’d only be ableto make it to the ceremony. I was surprised I was able to make it for the bachelor party and rehearsal, too, given my schedule for the season.

My eye catches movement to my right, a flit of red dancing at the edge of my vision. When I focus on the woman who’s approaching Dom with her arms stretched wide and a beaming smile on her face, my heart starts pounding out of my chest.

No. Fucking. Way.

No fucking way is Bec here. Hugging Dom like…they’re close.

I would have heard her name by now if she knew Ellie and Dom, right? Shit, is she family?

Come to think of it, I don’t think Dom’s mentioned any of the bridesmaids by name. Or maybe Bec is a nickname, and I wouldn’t have recognized it if he had mentioned her anyway.

I feel my jaw hanging in the air, looking like a dumbass. I work quickly to fix my face into a mask of indifference. Was I expecting and hoping to see Bec tonight? Yeah. Did I assume it would be much later and with a lot less clothing? Also, yeah. Seeing her wrapped in red silk might just kill me. With her cleavage prominently on display and the peek of her thigh when she walks, I can’t take my eyes off her.

Regardless of the shock I feel seeing her here, the draw I felt to her last night resurfaces, catching me off balance. The pull to reach out to her, be near her, and feel her skin against mine is stronger now.

I’m going to follow her lead and leave it up to her to decide if she wants everyone to know we met last night. I don’t want to fuck this up. Something tells me I’ll regret it if I do.

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