Page 26 of Vicious Arrangement
“But—”
“I told you,” I say, picking up my bag as I go and putting food in Angus’s dish. Katie’s unclipped his leash, and he’s suddenly at his food bowl, face planted in it. “Noah made it clear he wants this thing done with as little fuss as possible.”
She sighs. “This ‘thing’ might be the only wedding you’ll ever have—since you told me you’re never getting married—so I’ll be damned if you’re going to show up in that.”
Katie waves a hand over my outfit.
“What’s wrong with this?”
“Jeans? Tee? No.”
“I said white shirt and pants.”
“Uh-uh.” She looks at her phone. “The Uber’s here!”
“Uber? We can just go to Macy’s or?—”
“Do not rob me of my only chance of being a bridesmaid,” Katie whines. “Besides, if you have to go through with this whole marriage thing, at least have some fun with it while you can. We’ll dress up, I’ll book us in for hair and makeup, and make Noah realize how fucking lucky he is to be marrying you.”
I lock up, and we head down the stairs. “If I agree, will you leave me alone?”
“Probably not.”
I laugh and groan at the same time.
In the back of the Uber, Katie looks at her phone. “We need some dirt, something for you to get an upper hand. What about your demands? The prenup?”
I swallow. “I didn’t make any, and he didn’t ask for one.”
She slides me a look. “Interesting…”
“Not really. If I try to take him for a ride, he’ll crush Gramps. He knows I’m not allowing that. And… I wouldn’t.”
“You’re too nice, that’s your problem.” Then she squeals. “Oh my god, he’s a real fuck boy. Look at all the women he’s been photographed with.”
I push her phone away. I don’t want to look at that.”
“No secret babies, but a couple of scandals with engaged girls, but while he’s always no comment, others say… ‘Noah ended it the moment he found out.’ ” Then she laughs. “Of course, Noah doesn’t usually date more than once, unless they’re exceptionally hot or good in bed.”
“Katie.”
But she’s on a roll. “Not one of these women regret it, either. No respect.”
Or he’s good at being a prime fuck boy. And the man, as much as I hate it, has charm. He’s arrogant, but he’s got charm.
“He’s six-four, likes to party and… oh, my, these social page pics don’t do him justice.” She waves her phone in front of my face. It’s a close-up. He’s in a suit, but that dimple is there, and his sensuous mouth in a half-smile and he’s looking to the left of the camera.
“Yeah, I know. He’s… cute.”
“He’s fucking hot.” Katie frowns. “Why don’t I remember him?”
“Because you were minutes away from hurling.”
“Uncool,” she says with a laugh, but then she studies the picture. “He’s gorgeous, and this is the nicest photo. The rest, along with his take-no-responsibility for whatever babe I’m sticking it in attitude really tells me he’s an arrogant asshole.”
“You don’t say.”
“Watch yourself around this guy.” She flicks me a look. “Don’t go falling in love with him. A man like him won’t just break your heart, he’ll shatter it.”
