Page 5 of Crash with Me
“Thanks for that.”
“It was no problem.” She tilts her head to the side and lowers her voice. “So you decided to crash your dad’s wedding but didn’t think to bring a date?”
“I don’t know what came over me.” I shake my head, and keep my own words for her ears alone. “My sister let it slip during lunch last week. I spent the past few days pretending it didn’t bother me.”
“It’s understandable you’d be upset that your dad is marrying your ex.”
“That’s really not what’s bothering me.” I shake my head. “Okay, I won’t lie. It did bother me at first. No one wants their girlfriend to leave them for their father.”
“I wouldn’t think so.”
“But what really pisses me off is that they didn’t give me a choice. I was the injured party.”
“So you decided to crash the wedding.”
I nod. “I told myself I would be fine. That I could be a bigger person. But as soon as I got in here.” As soon as I saw my ex and dad giving me those smug-ass smirks…
“You needed back-up.”
“Exactly.” I take a deep breath. “Is there any way I could talk you into being my date for the weekend? I can pay you.”
“That isn’t necessary.” Heidi shakes her head. “If you can just cover the cost of my replacement for the reception, we can call it good.”
“Are you sure? You’re doing me a huge favor here.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
I eye her suspiciously. “Is it because you think I’m a sad sack and you feel sorry for me?”
I hope she doesn’t. Normally, I wouldn’t care. Normally, I wouldn’t give two shits about what another person thinks of me. Especially someone I met ten minutes ago.
But not her. I can’t explain why. I don’t want Heidi to feel anything remotely like pity when she thinks of me.
“That’s not it. Well”—she grimaces a little—“I’ll admit, I do feel bad for you. For the situation. But I want to help because, well… because…”
“Because?” I prompt, waiting for her answer as if my life depends on it.
“Because,” she gives a short laugh, “I’m so tired of seeing the nice guys lose and the jerks coming out on top. It’s time someone puts them in their place.”
“So you’re doing it for revenge?”
“Isn’t that what this all is about?”
I incline my head in agreement. “I suppose it is. It’s also about saving face.”
“It’s the principle.”
“Exactly.” I study her, keenly aware of the warmth spreading through my body and growing with every second I spend in her company.
I want her. Badly. That much is clear. I shouldn’t. If this is going to work, I need to keep a clear head. I need to think with my brain and not my dick.
And… I get the impression she wants me too.
That complicates things. Then again, maybe it’s a good thing. Maybe, if the sexual tension between us is palpable, no one will suspect that we aren’t really together.
Maybe it’s okay. As long as I don’t cross any lines that fuck this up and blow our cover.
After I help Heidi close up the bar, we leave the party room and stop at the front desk.
