Page 116 of Third Chances (Men of Manhattan 2)

Javier looked extremely disappointed that I had spoken.

Jerk face. "Where will I sleep?" Three couples' suites for three couples. Did they expect me to sleep in the hallway?

"It's fine, Daphne, you can share our room," Tim said.

"Um...no."

Tim laughed. "Although you have the face of an angel and the posterior of Beyoncé, I promised Kristen that I would never sleep with any of her friends."

"That's good to know. How much would another room cost?"

Javier typed something into his computer. "All we have left is the penthouse suite. It costs ten thousand dollars a night."

Seriously?

Javier nodded. "Usually our most prestigious guests stay there. I believe you met the Hunters and Caldwells during their stay."

"Yeah." I could feel all the guys staring at me. "Okay, well, I can't afford that." A teacher's salary would never let me afford a room like that.

Bryce laughed. "You can crash with Alina and me, it's fine."

I didn't want to ruin their pre-wedding whatevers. "Yeah, we'll figure it out. Thanks for looking, Javier." Thanks for nothing.

"Of course, ma'am. Now, gentleman, I have the menus for all our restaurants here. If you'd like to order, I can have your food sent up to you."

"That would be great." Ethan picked up the closest menu.

"We are kind of in a hurry," Tim said. "I don't want to accidentally lose my card before I even get to greet Kristen." He had put the word accidentally in air quotes.

Bryce hit his shoulder.

Apparently they had already been told about the stupid bracelet game. At least I wouldn't have to wear Alina's bracelet anymore. The silver lining to being a seventh wheel, I guess.

"What do you want?" Bryce asked me. "Say it slow so I can write it all down."

I laughed halfheartedly. "I'm not really hungry."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I put on a smile. "Did you guys ditch Alex?" Alex was Bryce's other groomsman. I was kind of hoping he would be with them. He had a girlfriend, but then at least we'd be an even eight. Besides, I'd rather listen to him going on and on about his sugar momma than be totally excluded.

"He didn't want to be the awkward one here without his girl," Tim said.

Ethan cleared his throat.

"Oh. Not that you're awkward, Daphne, you gorgeous woodland nymph," Tim said.

"Yeah...I'm not sharing a room with you."

He touched the lapel of his dress shirt, as if he was offended. But his smile said otherwise.

"Come on, I'll show you guys to our room." I gestured to the elevator.

"Hey, are you sure you're okay?" Bryce asked as we followed behind Tim and Ethan.

"I'm good."

He scratched the scruff on his chin. "Okay. Well, I'm not sharing my omelet with you, because it won't be what you wanted and you'll just complain about how it should have had less cheese and more vegetables."

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