Page 17 of Winning the Nightcap

“I think ‘nightmare’ might be a bit too generous,” I reply. “The guy was a fucking idiot, Bec. I’m sorry he couldn’t appreciate how lucky he was to be sharing a table with you.” She lets a smirk slip by and, god, I want to bite that lip.

“Damn…I was really hoping you hadn’t heard just how terrible the whole date ended. That’s humiliating.” She tucks a stray curl behind her ear, looking down.

“Bec, look at me.” I wait for her to slowly give me her attention. When she does, I swear the room blurs into nothing. It’s just her and me. Well, her, me, and Hop, who won’t stop chewing on my shoelace. “Don’t be sorry, not for one second. His arrogance and stupidity are a reflection of him, not you. He couldn’t possibly understand that he made the biggest mistake of his life treating you like that.”

I can feel a heavy weight lift off my chest as I watch her absorb my words, her face slowly breaking into a shy but stunning smile. I hope with everything I have she doesn’t give that fucker another thought. She’s worth more than he could ever imagine, and the dumbass let her slip right through his fingers. Then again, so did I.

Chapter Eleven

Bec

The Wedding

“Bitch, is that a hickey? You kicked off the weekend without me, didn’t you?” Dee screams, leaning closer to inspect my skin. The club music is so loud I can barely hear her.

We played several pervy games in the hotel room, had dinner tippingheavilyto compensate for our obnoxious enthusiasm, and went to the strip club. We finally made it to our last stop of the night, dancing at one of the local clubs, and Ellie looks one shot away from needing me to hold her hair back. I leave the dance floor to grab her a glass of water from the bar. Dee follows me while the rest of the group continues grinding to the pulsing beat.

“Can you really see one?” I dip my chin, trying to catch a glimpse.

“Right here under your sash.” Her eyes sparkle with deviancy as she eyes the evidence of my time with Aiden. “Gimme. The details. Now.” She turns to the bartender and orders two shots.

“Dee, what are you doing? Ellie clearly doesn’t need any more. Three waters, please.” I smile at the bartender, adding to Dee’s order.

“The shots are forus. Now loosen those lips and tell me who wasbetween those hips.”

“Ew, what? No, no one was between these hips.”Unfortunately.

I am fully on board with the idea of a carefree weekend with Aiden. A carefree,nakedweekend, preferably. There’s no way that’s happening tonight. I’m on maid-of-honor duty,with overtime. Ellie is going to need food before she crashes, and it’s already two in the morning. I have no idea what Aiden is doing this weekend—huh, weird that never came up—but I can’t imagine he’d welcome a booty call at this hour.

Ellie and Dom are both out tonight for their respective bachelorette and bachelor parties. They’re sharing their hotel suite together all weekend, not caring about tradition. The message Dom’s brother sent me a few minutes ago let me know they’re already back at the hotel with pizza. I text him back, asking him to save Ellie a few slices to make sure she gets some food in her stomach before bed. We have to be up and at the spa by nine for a full morning of pampering tomorrow before the rehearsal dinner.

“Mark my words, Bec. I will get it out of you.” She winks at me, shoots her shot, grabs two of the waters, and heads back to Ellie and the girls.

I stand at the bar for a second longer, questioning my sanity because all I can think about is Aiden. His gaze, intense and focused. His stare lingering on my curves. His grip firm as he pressed me to the wall. I’ve never felt that turned on or desired in my life.

There is something captivating about him, and I feel like he could easily pull me under his influence. I hope his weekend plans are more flexible than mine because I don’t want to miss out on getting to know him better. Or at least getting under him.

After taking my shot, I rejoin my friends. Ellie screams, throws the water from Dee onto the dance floor, flings her arms around my neck, and slams into my chest. “Holy shit, I’m getting married, B,” she screams before pulling back and grabbing me by the shoulders with a serious look. “But first I need to sit on Dom’s face.” She giggles and wobbles, her eyelidsslowly drooping down, and she lets out a small hiccup.

Yep, it’s time to wrap this up and get to the hotel. I guarantee she’ll pass out within the hour, fully dressed with a slice of pizza in her hand. I’d bet a hundred bucks there’s no face sitting tonight, but I laugh and smile back at my best friend. Knowing she found a love that makes her happy fills my heart with joy. She deserves the best, and I know Dom will give that to her. Turns out some people really do get their happily ever after.

* * *

Aiden: Hey stranger, can I see you tonight?

Bec: Who is this?

Aiden: Am I so easily forgettable?

Bec: I’d have to remember you to confirm if I’ve forgotten you.

Aiden: Let me jog your memory. 6’3”, mysterious smile, charming personality, witty as fuck, great butt.

Bec: And modest as hell. Good morning, Aiden.

Aiden: Ah, so not easily forgotten then.

Bec: All the alcohol in Columbus leaving my system is slowing my mind today. Give me a few hours…maybe my brain cells will return. What time?

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