Page 47 of Just One of the Groomsmen
“I might need a lawyer,” she whispered to Tucker and, instead of laughing, worry bled into his expression.
“What happened?” he asked. “How bad of trouble are you in?”
“It was, uh, supposed to be a joke, but I like how you jumped to my being in trouble, as if it was the only option.”
His muscles relaxed a fraction, his lazy smile spreading across his face. “Well, I know you.”
“Hey! You were responsible for at least half our pranks. How you and Easton ended up on the right side of the law is beyond me.”
“Just covering our asses. And yours, because we’re cool like that.” She swore his eyes dipped to her backside for a second before they met hers. “So, you don’t really need a lawyer?”
“Nonna and I got caught sneaking butter and sugar into the food. In my defense, my grandmother was gonna do it with or without me, so it was either help and make sure she didn’t go too crazy or end up in a sugar coma later.” She sighed. “But now I feel guilty.”
Tucker leaned in, his hand going to her hip, his voice dipping low. “Okay, first rule: never admit guilt—not feeling it, not thinking you might be guilty. From here on out, ‘guilt’ is a bad word.”
Addie smiled even as her heart hammered harder in her chest, her body reading the signal of his hand on her hip all wrong. “What if there’s a plea deal? Maybe I should take it.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Now, did you leave anything at the scene of the crime that we need to take care of?”
“My prints are on the lid of the sugar canister. And the measuring cup.”
He shook his head. “There goes my hearsay defense. We might need to call an inside man, but don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”
He dragged his thumb across her hip bone, a motion he probably didn’t realize he was doing, and her blood rushed to that spot, leaving her slightly light-headed.
Hadn’t she decided that crossing lines would mess up their friendship?
“There’s my handsome lawyer!” Nonna walked over and placed one kiss on each of Tucker’s cheeks.
And for a brief moment, Addie was jealous of her grandmother.
I’m a quarter Italian. Maybe that means I can get away with one little kiss on his cheek?
Just a quick one.
Since that wouldn’t be a horrible idea or anything, one that would make him think I’d gone crazy.
“I been talking you up to my friends, drumming up enough business so you stay here where you belong.” Nonna beamed at him and squeezed both his hands in hers. “No need to thank me. Just promise I always be your number one client.”
Tucker opened his mouth, then looked to Addie, presumably for help, but he was on his own. “I…I’m working on another job, so while you’ll always be my number one client, I might not have time for many others.”
“And what exactly is this mysterious job?” Addie asked, thinking maybe with the pressure of extra witnesses, he’d come clean.
“Tell you what. If your Falcons beat my Saints, I’ll tell you. After watching the Falcons get their ass”—Tucker glanced at Nonna—“butts handed to them last game, let’s just say I feel secure my secret will stay with me for a while.”
Addie shook her head. “Low blow bringing up that last loss. And pretty big talk for a guy whose team has only won one game this season.”
“They were working things out, but they’ve got it figured out now.”
“Pfft.Yeah, until this afternoon when they play a good team.”
“For someone so cocky, I noticed you haven’t asked for the other side of the bet—for what I get if your team loses…”
Addie crossed her arms and put on her best game face. “Let’s hear it, then.”
…
Tucker’s rapid pulse hammered through his head. He’d gotten caught up talking trash without an endgame in mind, and when Addie challengingly asked for his terms, all he could think wasIf I win, I get to kiss you.
