Page 32 of Pick Six

“Fine.” I resign myself to this fate. If he wants to do it, I’m not going to argue. Besides, for him, this would be a line item on a long list of monthly expenses, where I’d be making installment payments for the next twelve months.

She hands the card to the woman at the counter.

“Perfect. I’ll get this rung up and then get all the measurements and stuff written down. I’ll print a copy for you and then we’ll have you on your way. You guys can have a seat for a few minutes while I do that. There’s water and champagne over there if you need a drink.”

I sit down on the gorgeously ornate antique conversation chair Faye has sat next to an old refurbished dresser with a refreshment bar. Violet grabs a glass of water and offers me one, but I shake my head.

“So you don’t think it’s sweet that Xander is doing this for you?” She asks as she sits back down next to me.

“He feels bad for me because his friend is an asshole. That’s why he’s doing this. It’s why he did what he did the other night and got us into this mess. Guilt by association. He was mortified when he found out Drew had cheated on me and that I thought he was in on it. He honestly might feel worse about things than Drew ever did. Should tell him he shouldn’t bother if his friend can’t.”

“Uh-huh. And the little tête-à-tête I walked in on after the white knight incident? That was him pitying you, and you… what exactly?”

I glare at her because frankly, that scene was indefensible. It was my brain being scrambled by Alex and his stupid hot body and weirdly protective nature. I sigh.

“He’s hot. I know that. I… you know. I’ve told you we had that run-in years ago that first night I met him.”

“And you’ve secretly wanted him ever since, and now the star-crossed lovers can finally be together? Sounds like me and Ben. I love it.”

“Violet, I understand you have like, the perfect husband the rest of us all wish we had, but Alex is so not Ben. Need I point out the long line of offenses, fights, women, and questionable decisions?”

“I mean Ben ended up with me because of questionable decisions, so he’s not immune to them.”

“But he’s not a Xander-Xavier-XXL level dumpster fire of them.”

“No.”

“Okay then. So while I am attracted to him, there’s a reason I walked away the first time. Now I’m even older and theoretically wiser than I was then. Iknowbetter. Plus, four years ago I was a lot of things I’m not anymore. I’m bracing for when the gossip blogs get wind of us together. I can’t wait for the headlines ‘Hottest player in the league ends up with divorced mid-looking woman who lives in the suburbs.’ Then there will be some terrible-looking photo of me stuffing my face with a donut and looking awkward. Can’t wait!”

“You do not give yourself credit. Also, did you just see yourself in that dress?”

“Well, I mean it did look good.”

“Look good? He is going to die.”

“Or I am. I have to see him dressed up in a suit in person, and I am not prepared. I still remember what he looked like at the wedding.”

“Your wedding?” She raises a brow.

“Listen… my eyes were on my husband but when the best man looks like him, I feel like I should be forgiven for a moment of cold feet.”

“You never told me that.”

“Because it was a fleeting moment. My nerves got the best of me. That night haunted me a little bit. But I’m over it now.”

“Right. Over it.” She gives me a skeptical look.

“Very over it, and just playing the dutiful girlfriend.”

“So what happens when he decides he wants to revisit that first night?”

“That’s not happening.” Which is mostly true, even though I’d almost tried to revisit it last night.

“Uh-huh.”

I make a face at her and then Faye calls us back over to the desk, and I go to finish checking out, taking the information and her phone number while giving her mine so that they can let me know when the dress is ready.

“You’ll have to come over to my house before the event. We’ll get ready together. I have a friend who’s amazing at hair and makeup. I can see if she can do both of us if you want?”