Page 4 of Yours Actually

I’m about to tell her no when the piano player at the side of the ballroom starts playing.The rich tones of a cello match the warmth of the piano notes a moment later.Bradford chose an instrumental version of “All of Me” by John Legend for his bride, Kristen, to walk down the aisle to and when I turn to the back of the ballroom, I see Kristen’s bridesmaid, Jenna, coming our way.

There’s a collective sigh when Kristen starts on her way to Bradford.As she walks past us, Olivia turns and looks at me.Leaning in close, she whispers, “I’m so glad Bradford found her.She’s just perfect for him.”

She’s not wrong but instead of thinking about what she said, I’m struck by thoughts abouther.

The soft look in her eyes.

The genuine and stunningly beautiful smile on her face.

Her mouth against my skin as she whispers to me.

Why have I never imagined sex with her?Her legs wrapped around me?Her lips on mine?Her hair falling onto my chest?

Christ.

Penny has fucked me up with that conversation we just had.

Olivia leans even closer to me when Kristen reaches Bradford.Her fingers grip my suit jacket at the waist as she whispers, “Look at how he’s looking at her.It’s so beautiful.I need to find a guy who looks at me like that.”

Herdress on my bedroom floor.That’s what I’m suddenly fucking thinking about and I want to strangle my wedding date for putting that image in my head.

I’m deep down the rabbit hole of those thoughts when Bradford and Kristen exchange vows.It’s a fucking miracle I can even focus on the wedding now that my best friend is the star of my dirty fantasies.

By the time my brother kisses his bride, I’m reciting baseball stats in my mind.Batting averages and home runs fill my head like they never have.And that’s saying something because baseball stats are something I think about a lot.

When Penny’s hand lands on my thigh during the wedding reception and she casually mentions how much she’d love to see me naked, I take hold of her wrist and say, “Good because that’s exactly what you’re going to see later tonight.”

Her eyes flare.“You’re going to break your rule?”

“Yes.”

It turns out that baseball stats can only preoccupy a man for so long.I need something to take my mind off my best friend and tonight that something is going to be Penny.And with any luck, I can chalk these confusing thoughts up to a temporary blip.

2

OLIVIA

May in New York is a firm favorite of mine.Spring is thinking about taking a nap while summer is getting ready to come out and play.My anticipation for all things summer is high in May and my planning game is strong.I’m looking forward to weekends at the beach, late afternoon swims during the week, long lazy days in the sun.And ice-cream.So much ice-cream.

The other thing I love about this time of year are the weddings.I could live and breathe only romance for the rest of my life and I’d be a happy girl.And honestly, with the way weddings are taking on a new life with so many fun new trends, I’m giddy about it all.

There’s only one small problem this year: I don’t have a date for any of the weddings I’ve been invited to.I’m not opposed to attending parties or galas or any social event on my own, but weddings are a different beast.Especially so when you’ve just broken up with your boyfriend who everyone adored.If I attend single, I see nothing but looks of sympathy and questions over the breakup.Not to mention the drunk guys who think any single girl at a wedding is desperate for attention and sex.No, thank you.

I’ve got four weeks until my first wedding of the season and I’m making it my mission to find the perfect plus-one.I’m in the elevator up to Callan’s condo early Monday morning scrolling through my friends lists on social media looking for candidates when the doors open and I’m presented with something I never thought I’d see.

Penelope Rush.Callan’s constant plus-one.In his condo at 7:12 a.m.on a Monday morning in a state of disarray that can only mean one thing: she slept over last night.And unless you’re me, a sleepover with Callan means a long night of sex.

I blink.

I blink again.

I’m stuck in the middle of my brain catching up with real time events when Penelope glances up from her phone and sees me.The same look that’s always in her eyes when she catches sight of me appears.Displeasure.It never lasts longer than a moment and if I wasn’t a particularly observant person, I’d miss it, but I never do.

My existence annoys Penelope.Or to be more precise, my existence in Callan’s life annoys her.

Callan believes she doesn’t want anything from him except a date for various events.He’s wrong.Penelope wants him as a partner.And while she’s got Callan fooled, I see her for what she is.A woman who’s playing the long game, making very calculated moves to embed herself in my best friend’s life.I’d be okay with that if I thought she’d love and cherish him for who he is rather than for what he can give her, namely his billions, but I don’t have any doubt that cherishing him isn’t high on her agenda.

“Olivia,” she greets me, her fake smile now plastered across her face.

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