Page 49 of Just One of the Groomsmen
Actually, he knew itwasn’trealistic because of that, along with the state of his finances. Even if he was ready to get serious—which he wasn’t—he didn’t have $40,000 sitting in the bank, and his 401K was in an even sorrier state.
Which meant entertaining thoughts of anything less than casual was out of the question, and he couldn’t cross lines with his best friend for casual.
A rock formed in his gut—he was so far from so many of his goals, and while he didn’t like the cold dose of reality, he’d needed the reminder.
“Tucker, you’ve known her forever,” Mrs. Murphy said. “Maybe you can talk some sense into her.”
He’d already tried—although his goal was to convince her the dentist was no good for her—and it hadn’t gone so well.
This whole situation would almost be funny if Addie didn’t look so distressed. Needing to help however he could, he reached under the table, curled his hand around her knee, and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
While his intentions had been innocent, the instant she peered up at him and licked her lips, his blood heated, pumping faster and faster. His self-control wavered, and he wanted to give in to the urge to drag his hand higher on her thigh.
To see if it’d affect her the way just thinking about it affected him.
“So?” Her grandmother leaned forward, the sleeve of her shirt dangerously close to dipping in the gravy. “Are you open to going out with a nice girl—for comparison’s sake—or are you going to give the dentist another shot?”
…
Underneath the table, Tucker’s hand curled tighter around her knee. One glorious beat and then he let go, the warmth of his palm gone, yet the ghost of it remained imprinted on her skin.
Reading more into it was dangerous—Tucker had always sensed when she needed reassurance, and occasionally even crossed into slightly protective territory, to the point it’d sometimes irritated her because she could take care of herself. Despite thinking it might be nice to have help now and then.
But she couldn’t think about any of that right now, because too many eyes were on her. She cleared her throat and lifted her chin. “I plead the Fifth. Tucker, tell them what that means.”
“It means she’s stubborn as hell, and she thinks we’re all being too nosy.”
She arched an eyebrow.“We’re?”
“Didn’t I recently get in trouble for putting in my two cents about the dentist? I believe I was told to mind my business.”
“Good point, counselor. Thanks for reminding me. Yes, all y’all are too nosy.”
Not one to be deterred, Nonna Lucia leaned closer to Tucker. “I would like to hear your thoughts on the dentist.”
“I don’t like him,” Tucker said, unabashed, no time to think about it.
“You don’t even know him.” Addie wasn’t sure why she was defending the guy. David hadn’t called since attempting to feel her up on his couch, and the one afternoon he’d dropped off and picked up his niece from soccer practice, he hadn’t bothered getting out of his vehicle to say hello.
Something she’d been secretly glad about, since she didn’t know what she’d say to him after the way their date ended anyway.
“I know enough,” Tucker said.
Nonna steepled her hands and rested her chin on them. “Well if Tucker no like him, I no think I like him anymore, either. Yesterday in the coffee shop, I heard him going on and on about how busy he is helping take care of his niece, since his brother is single father. The ladies were all sighing over it, but he certainly milks that cow like a dairy farmer in danger of going out of business.”
Addie blinked at her grandmother. “What does that even mean?”
“It means he’s a con artist,” Tucker helpfully provided.
Addie looked to her parents to see if they’d help. Mom turned her attention to the gravy boat, twisting it point two inches so it’d line up with the design on the tablecloth. Dad had undoubtedly checked out of the conversation minutes ago, his thoughts centering around shoveling down his food as quickly as possible so he could get back to the TV.
“Hey, lawyer.” Addie poked him in the side, satisfaction pinging through her when he jerked. “Why don’t you plead the Fifth, too? Or go with that anything-you-say-can-and-will-be-held-against-you.”
“Sorry. I forgot that I’m not allowed to say anything about Addie’s dating life. We’re tryin’ not to get in fights.”
“Exactly. Now, if the rest of you would follow his example, that’d be great.”
Nonna pursed her lips and then glanced at Tucker. “We have a private meeting about this later. Don’t worry. We figure out what to do.”
