Page 82 of Nothing to the Wedding

“He likes Scotch.”

“I drink beer.”

“He doesn’t dance.”

“He does with you.”

Which Sam had flat out denied her.Damn.It had worked with Porter.

A-ha!“You both love me.”

“Jury’s out.”

Stubborn jackass.

“Okay, you want to know who he is?He’s the guy who has me surrounded by security every second of the day.And, yes, that includes the nighttime seconds.Just because they’re not in the room, doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

“He’s the guy who will, without ceremony or shame, send assistants scurrying around after me with cellphones, ensuring I have everything I want.”

“Diva.”

“And you know what I want every minute of every day?”Her palms landed on his waist.“Him, Sam.He’s my best friend.You’ll love him, I swear it.You can’t know until you experience us.And not through a screen—”

“Okay, geez, you don’t have to lay it on so thick.And you wonder why I stay away.”

“I do wonder that,” she said.“All your life, you’ve been trying to get away.”

“I do my thing, you do yours,” he said.“Sonia still with The Idiot?”

“God knows why…”

“You’re one to talk.”

“My husband is not an idiot.”She laughed.“I don’t know if I’ll get used to that.Husband.”

“You’re giddy, did the guy get you drunk or something?”

“Always before she gets out of bed,” Zairn said, appearing around the column.She backed up a little when he came close to stroke her cheek.“People want to talk to you.”

“I’m talking to people.”She pointed at Sam.“Found this guy.And here we are… talking.”

“Mm hmm.”

The way he inspected her with such intensity was like he’d never seen her before, like there was no one else in the room.That adoration was appreciated, and they could get back to that… after she took a shot at surprising him.

“You’ll like this one, I promise.”He had no other choice.“Casanova,” she said, filling her lungs.“Meet Samson Kyst.My brother.”

TWENTY-FOUR

“NO KIDDING.”Interest piqued, that revelation straightened Zairn up.“All this time I thought you were making him up.”

“If I was, he’d be nicer.”

“I won’t call him that,” Sam said, apparently forgetting Zairn could hear him.

“No, you don’t call him that,” she said, tucking herself against Zairn when he put an arm around her.“Only I call him that.He’s Zairn or Z, whatever you prefer.”

Zairn opened a hand, literally the hand of friendship, or maybe brotherhood.“Pleasure to finally meet you.”