Page 14 of Kicking it with the Best Man

By the time she walked away, Grant’s shoulders were shaking with laughter.

I threw a wadded-up napkin at him. “Fuck off.”

He looked at me with tears gathering in his eyes from suppressing his laughs. “Look, if even our waitress knows about it, you’re never going to get out of this unscathed.”

I grumbled and accepted a plate of waffles from Rita before she disappeared again. “Fine.” I speared a piece of waffle and shoved it in my mouth. The rich, buttery flavor practically melted on my tongue while the sweetness filled my senses. “Then what do you suggest I do, counselor?”

Grant took a sip of his freshly refilled coffee. “Ride it out a little. Stay married. See what you think of him. Find out what kind of person he is, if he is going to want money to keep quiet, that kind of thing.”

I looked at Grant in disbelief. Was he really saying what I thought he was saying? “You think I married a con man or something?” Protective anger flared in my chest at the thought that Grant didn’t feel Cam was trustworthy.

“Not at all, but stranger things have happened. Don’t make me remind you of what happened when Shane left.”

I looked up, the anger building, heat flushing through my body. “Don’t you dare.”

Grant held up his hands defensively. “I’m just saying—”

“Well don’t. Cam is nothing like Shane. This isn’t going to be a repeat of that.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.” We sat in silence for a few minutes while I ate and Grant hopefully reconsidered his life choices.

When he finally spoke again, the words were quiet. “I just want to protect you, that’s all.”

I swallowed a bite and nodded. “Thanks.”

A beat passed. “What do you say I put one of my PIs on him? Just for a few days. Trail him while he’s still in town.”

I shook my head quickly. “Absolutely not.”

“But—”

“I said no,” I growled.

“Fine. I’ll just have my paralegal do some digging on him instead. Nothing intrusive. Sound fair?”

I didn’t speak. “Do you really think sticking with him is a good idea?”

Grant shrugged. “It can’t hurt. Worst case scenario, we play it to the media like a whirlwind relationship that ends. You definitely don’t want people thinking you’re a playboy who got wasted and got married the first time the opportunity arose. We’ve worked hard to retool your image from the stereotypical angry chef. You’re still an asshole, but at least the restaurant is thriving. You don’t want to go down this road, trust me.”

“Okay. I trust you. Now what?”

Grant grinned and winked at me. “Why don’t you give your husband a call?”

Chapter Eight

Cam

AfterIhungupwith Gianna, I had only a few minutes to get ready and head out. I showered and dressed quickly, washing the night of booze off of me, and Oliver’s scent with it. I pulled on linen shorts and a button-down shirt, slipped my feet into shoes, and put my hand on the door handle to leave. As I did, a little metallic clink caught my attention and I glanced down at my hand. I was still wearing a wedding band. Oliver’s wedding band. Acid threatened to erupt up my throat and I swallowed hard against the urge to be sick. Instead, I pulled the little band off my finger and placed it in the safe before heading downstairs.

We had a busy day planned for the whole massive group of us, chock-full of shows, eating delicious food, and sightseeing. I met up with the guys, Theo and Nate looking more obsessed with each other than ever. They stared into each other’s eyes, mooning over one another, barely able to let go of each other’s hand.

Parker fake-gagged when he approached us in the lobby. “Jesus, can’t you two just be normal for once?” Theo flipped him off and proceeded to pull Nate into a kiss. “I’m never settling down,” Park continued. “Love is disgusting.”

I rolled my eyes. “Settle down, Park. You’re just jealous you’ve never been in love.” The word hit me like a sledgehammer to the stomach.

Parker snorted. “Not a chance.”

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