Page 35 of Bound in Lingerie (Bare Naked Designs 3)

Milton was going to miss this. They fought like two ten year olds. They did it even when they were twenty. They did it now even in their thirties.

“How is the ceremony coming along? You’re not ready, are you?” Rob questioned Aleks.

Aleks looked over at Milton, and a flash of doubt crossed his face, but it quickly disappeared. Hopefully quickly enough that Rob didn’t notice.

“I’m so ready.” Aleks stuck out his chest. “This is going to be the best tying ceremony ever.”

“Hand fasting,” Rob corrected with an unimpressed look on his face.

“Right. Hand fasting.” Aleks defl

ated, but only a little.

“You’re going to come right, Milton?”

“Oh, I–”

“I know this is the first you’re hearing of an invitation. I’m stupid and should have invited you at the baby shower.” A hint of guilt flashed across Rob’s face. “With Aleks performing the ceremony I could use another guy on my side.”

“You want me to stand up there with you?” Milton was shocked. Flabbergasted. He didn’t expect an invitation to the wedding, let alone an invitation which included being involved in the wedding party.

“Say yes,” Rob said. “I only have one groomsman for two bridesmaids.”

“And don’t say it’s not your place either,” Aleks interrupted. “We’ve wasted too much time with you living on the other side of the country. We’re both going to start making more of an effort. We all need to make an effort.”

“Now who’s blubbering?” Rob chuckled.

“I assume you want me to be–”

“Amie’s partner?” Rob nodded.

Would it be a good idea to take another step further into a relationship he had been trying not to develop? Would it be a good idea to come back at all?

“She seems to have gotten over hating you.” Aleks laughed. “I told you you’d be getting laid. And our Amie is quite the sex kitten.”

“You’ve slept with her?” Milton spat. If he had known he wouldn’t have gotten involved. Or, he would have tried harder not to get involved.

“No!” Aleks raised his hands in defense. Milton looked over at Rob who shook his head.

“Being the other halves to the threesome over there–” Rob gestured to the ladies at the picnic table. “–makes us privy to information, sometimes way too much information, about our girl.”

“You know about us?”

“Not quite. We figured from the huggy-feely stuff that you were, but Amie’s been tight lipped about it. She hasn’t given any details to the girls. Not one.”

Was he not worth her time? Did he not deserve to be a notch on her belt that she bragged about?

“We’re not doing the huggy-feely thing. It’s strictly sex. She knows I’m leaving, and I know she’s…wild. It’s a perfect fit.”

Rob and Aleks exchanged looks that didn’t sit right with Milton. They were mocking. “What?”

Neither of them wanted to answer. Aleks looked down and concentrated on his job of manning the grill.

“What are you two giving the eyes to?”

Rob finally spoke, “It doesn’t look like just sex. We’ve never seen Amie hug a man. Or kiss a man in public. Or organize a baseball game to make him happy.”

He was worthy in a different way. But keeping the details of their relationship so close to the vest meant she was getting attached, getting involved, when they both said they wouldn’t.

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