Page 34 of That Time I Kissed The Groomsman Grump
“I wasn’t looking for Hawk,” I blurt too quickly, and a blush floods my cheeks. I’m not interested in Hawk, but I don’t want Brady to think I’m interested in him either. “It’s just that he didn’t have to go to the bar. Nobody does. Hudson’s been getting us whatever we want.”
Brady squints up at the inn. “Hudson’s working? Huh. I thought he quit last month.”
“I guess not. But I don’t recognize him.”
“He moved here last summer, and you haven’t been around. Figures you wouldn’t know him. But Hud’s a good man.”
“Why did you think he quit?”
“Let’s just say things around here have been… difficult.” Brady’s face melts into a grimace. “The pub’s doing all right, but the inn itself is a little run-down. Some employees feel like they’re overworked and underpaid. But I’m sure the Johnsons are doing their best.”
My heart sinks. “I know Beau and Kasey planned their wedding here because they wanted to throw business their way.”
“Yeah. That was generous, but I think this place might’ve already taken a financial hit they can’t come back from. I hope not, but hope isn’t always enough.” His jaw tics. “Anyway, I’m glad Hudson stuck around. This town is lacking in loyalty these days.”
A shadow passes over his face, and it only gets worse when Hawk comes across the beach, shuffling toward us with an umbrella drink in his hand. Then he keeps on coming, close enough to kick sand over my feet.
“Watch it,” Brady says.
“Sorry.” Hawk winces. “Haven’t been on a beach in a while. My etiquette is rusty.”
Brady smirks. “All that time on exotic photo shoots taking its toll?”
“Exactly. So you understand.” Hawk raises his neon-yellow tumbler in a toast. “Cheers, mate!” When neither Brady nor I lift a glass, Hawk looks down at my empty hands. “No one’s offered to get you a drink yet?”
“Oh, no! I already have one.” I pull my cover-up off my tumbler to show him.
“How about a snack, then?”
“I’m good, thanks. I’ve had enough shrimp and cocktail sauce.” I don’t want Hawk to take on the role of caring for me, especially in front of Brady. And either way, I don’t have time to request food or beverages, because Beau has finally returned from the gift shop. He comes up to our semicircle of chairs, hooting for everybody’s attention.
“Good people in our wedding!” He moves in front of the group. “My lovely bride has informed me it’s time to kick this party up a notch.” He pulls two gaudy trophies from behind his back. On each is a bronze statue of a man on a boat reeling in a giant fish. “We’ll be partnering up in teams of two, and these bits of gorgeousness will go to the winners.”
“Ahhh.” I chuckle. “Sothat’swhat Beau was buying at the gift shop.”
Brady gawks. “Those are the ugliest things I’ve ever seen.”
“Perhaps.” Hawk sets his drink down next to my chair. “But there’s room for one of them on my trophy shelf.”
“I’ll bet,” Brady grumbles. Then he crosses the sand to Amber. “I’d like to be your partner, if you’re cool with that.” He lays a hand over his heart and tips his chin. “Please don’t reject me.”
“Me?” Amber presses a palm to her own chest like she’s surprised someone voluntarily picked her. “Of course I’ll be your partner!” A smile skips across her face, and my whole stomach somersaults. Seeing Brady choose the pregnant woman over everybody else tugs at my heart strings. Hard.
Hawk reaches out to me. “Shall we pair up, Natalie?”
As much as I’d rather be partnered with Brady, Hawkisthe far safer option. There will be no feelings involved and absolutely no danger of attraction. “Sure.” I take his hand, and he hauls me up, throwing an arm around my shoulder.
“Those ugly trophies are as good as ours,” Hawk says.
Beau claps his hands. “Let the games begin!”
ChapterFourteen
BRADY
The promise I made to myself not to do bodily harm to Drake Hawkins is skating on thin ice. In fact, I’d like to bring him here when Abie Lake is frozen over and drop him into the nearest fishing hole.
But I won’t. Because that’s wrong. And also, I’m mostly joking. Still, the guy is glommed onto Natalie like her body’s made of Velcro. And sure, I’ve got no claim staked to her, plus I asked Amber to be my partner instead of Natalie, but that’s not my point. My point is this:
