Page 63 of Rum & Coke

“Do you think Scarlett and Duane would have hotter sex than Tessa and Vinny?”

I bit my bottom lip, thinking. “I guess there’s no way to know for sure until they’ve all had a chance.”

“I like your thinking, sweets.”

We drove to a beautiful, contemporary house on the outskirts of Vegas overlooking the desert mountains. It was a two-story, flat roof, stucco home I’d kill to own one day. It was stunning.

“I’m not sure of the exact plan, but you can hang with me and the guys until the others get here.”

“Sure, whatever.” Before I could get out of the SUV, Vinny ran around and opened the door for me. “Do you do this for all your dates?”

He shrugged. “Habit.”

“It’s a good one to have.” I leaned up and pressed my lips to his softly because I could. I could, after all this time, do what I’d wanted to do since the night I’d met him.

We walked hand in hand to the front door. Just before he knocked, Vinny brushed a piece of my hair that had come loose from my chignon knot behind my ear, and I sighed, loving when he did it. “This may be Joss’s day, but to me, you’re the most beautiful woman who will be here tonight.”

“How do you know?” I whispered as I looked up into his chocolate eyes.

“I could tell you all the sappy lines you’ve heard before, or what I’ve told my dates, but those are all lines I’ve used to make a woman feel good about herself and make her think she is the only one in my life. The truth is, you’re the only one in my life, Tess. I’ve never done this before, but I’m trying, and I remembered that I forgot to tell you that you look beautiful tonight, so I needed to so before things get crazy.”

As I listened to him speak, I felt a lump form in my throat, and I knew hat I was starting to fall hard for him—if I hadn’t already fallen. “You’re the only one for me, too.”

Vinny grinned. “Good.” He kissed my lips once more and then knocked twice before entering the house.

Just as we stepped inside, I took in the modern-contemporary home, which was sleek and stunning and mostly white. Somehow the whiteness made the space elegant and not boring.

“I’m getting married!” Paul exclaimed as he came into the foyer.

Vinny stepped toward him and gave him a hug. “Congrats, dude.”

They broke apart, and I stepped forward, giving Paul a hug as well. “Yeah, congrats.”

“Thanks for coming, Tessa. I know Joss is looking forward to getting to know you better,” Paul stated.

“Likewise.”

“She and Autumn should be here soon. Also,” he stepped forward and lowered his voice, “Joss’s childhood friend, Cat, will be here too. I think she and Seth had a thing because whenever she’s mentioned, I swear he stops breathing.”

Vinny and I looked at each other and shrugged. “All right, what’s the plan?” Vinny asked Paul.

“Time for shots and getting dressed,” Paul replied.

“Did someone say shots?”

I turned to see Nick and Bradley coming in from the backyard.

“Who else is here?” Vinny asked.

“Just us and Mark,” Bradley replied.

Vinny turned to me. “Do you want to hang with us or …?”

I looked to the guys and then back to Vinny. “I’ll just go look around.” I didn’t want to impose on whatever guys did as they got ready for a wedding. Paul needed his friends, and even though I was hopefully becoming a friend, I didn’t feel like they needed a woman present.

“The caterers are setting up the bar. I’m sure they’ll pour you a drink,” Bradley stated.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Vinny asked.