Page 26 of Winning the Nightcap

When the rehearsal wraps up, Ellie, Dee, and I gather around a corner of the bar, champagne in hand. Ellie and Dom’s wedding party and closest family members are here for cocktail hour before dinner is served in the private party room adjacent to the bar.

I gape at Ellie. “You and Dom never thought to mention that one of his groomsmen is a professional baseball player?” I thought Dom was exaggerating when he told me one of his friends was an athlete. I figured if Dom was telling the truth, I would have met the guy by now since I’m basically their permanent third wheel. Dom had to have mentioned Aiden by name before…why didn’t I recognize him?

Oh, who am I kidding? I don’t know anything about sports. I don’t think I could name five professional athletes if I tried. Well, I guess I can name at least one now.

Shit, no, I can’t. What the fuck is this guy’s last name?

“Yeah, and are any of his teammates coming tomorrow? I think I’m officially into baseball players,” Dee interjects like the horndog she is. She’s been egging me on since we learned about Aiden’s profession, talking about how a baseball butt is the absolute only butt she can imagine is better to play quarters off of than my own. Goddammit, I’ll never live that stupid weekend down.

Ellie sips her champagne before responding. “Why is it a big deal? Are you interested?Oooo,come to think of it, you and Aiden would be a supercute couple. Want me to put in a good word for you?”

“What? No, I’m just shocked Dom wasn’t lying.” I don’t know why I don’t own up to my almost-hookup with Aiden. It’s not like Ellie would be upset or judge me. Apparently, she’s even willing to set us up together. But when Aiden was a stranger, there was no pressure. No implications beyond Sunday night. Him being one of Dom’s friends, not to mention closeenough to be in his wedding, makes it feel like something more serious.

“I know, right? I thought the same thing when he first told me too. I’m hoping we can go to a few of Aiden’s games when his team is in town. You guys want to come with?” Ellie asks.

“Fuck yeah,” Dee rushes out before glaring at me. “You’re coming with us, no excuses. Think we’ll be able to drag Carissa along, or will Damien ruin everything?”

I spot Carissa through the windows leading to the large balcony. She’s tucked away under Damien’s arm. They just started dating a few months ago, but none of us have a good feeling about it.

“Who knows?” Ellie replies. “Have either of you heard how he’s been this weekend?”

“No word yet,” I say while Dee shakes her head.

“I’ll check in with her tonight. Make sure she’s doing okay,” Dee offers, to which Ellie and I both agree.

“What about you, Ellie? You’re getting married in less than twenty-four hours. You ready to commit to Dom’s dick for the rest of your life?” I ask.

Ellie smirks, glancing over at Dom with mischief in her eyes. “I’m good, trust me.” She leans in close, lowering her voice. “I can barely walk straight. Dom wrecked me this morning. The wedding has him so fucking hard, every time I turn around, he’s basically humping my leg.”

“You need some training advice? I’ve seen this problem tons of times. Most dogs grow out of it by his age, though…maybe we should take him to the vet. See if there’s a medical issue.” I joke.

“You brat.” She giggles, and I know I’m forgiven. It’s her own fault for always bragging about Dom’s dick. I mean, good for them, but I’d rather not hear the girthy details.

“You’re practically green with envy, Bec. You need to get laid,” Dee proclaims.

“Oh please, I’m fine. It hasn’t even been that long.”

“Are you kidding, hasn’t it been like ten months or something? I thinkI’d die.” A little dramatic, but she has a point. It has been way too long.

“I can take care of myself, don’t worry. I don’t need anyone intervening. I’m talking to you, Dee.” She huffs out a sigh, annoyed by my usual stubbornness.

I had what I can only assume was a sure thing lined up for the weekend with Aiden when life decided to play a prank on me instead. I keep weighing my options, going back and forth on if I want to pursue something with him, assuming he’s still interested. Part of me just wants to say fuck it, ignore my anxious brain, and see where things go. Have a spontaneous weekend of fun and hope we’re on the same page, walking away without attachment after the wedding is over. The other part of me is screaming to walk away and pretend last night never happened. The impulse to play it safe and keep him at a distance is reverberating through my mind. The urge to withdraw is so strong I feel it down to my toes.

Of course, at this moment I peek over to find Aiden’s eyes already locked on me. His presence almost overwhelming me even at a distance. I don’t understand why my body is reacting to him like this when I barely know him. It’s enough to draw me in and terrify me all at once. I can’t let this go any further. He’s the type of person I could lose myself in, and I promised I wouldn’t risk that when I’m just starting to figure my life out. I don’t intend to go back on that promise now.

Chapter Eighteen

Bec

“Okay, everyone, thanks for a great lesson today. For our next class, focus on the cuesdrop itandleave it. We’ll regroup at the start of class next Saturday to see how the pups are doing with these. See you all then.”

As everyone packs up and files out of the classroom, I focus on my clipboard and begin to note the progress I observed for each of the families and their pets today. I briefly note that I need to revisit leash walking with the Johnson family to make sure that their pup, Bailey, is showing improvement before my thoughts are interrupted.

“Hey, Bec, you got a second?” Aiden looks at me with defeat in his eyes. I don’t know him that well, all things considered, but he’s obviously stressed. His posture is tense, and his hands are tucked in his pockets. Hop seems oblivious to Aiden’s mood as he sits next to him, his tail wagging happily, beaming up at us.

It’s been a week since Ellie’s party where I was outed in front of an unsuspecting Aiden as the romance novel addict I love to be. Poor guy seemed completely stunned by what he heard, though I’ve got to say, he recovered from the surprise…very well. When he described what he wanted to do to me when we met? Well, his words stuck with me allnight. I immediately grabbed my vibrator when I got home, thinking of everything Aiden promised we would have done in that hotel years ago. No regrets here. Best orgasm I’ve had in months.

Fuck, Bec, stop thinking about masturbating right now. Focus on what Aiden’s saying.

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