Page 58 of The One You Want

“It’s okay. There’s nothing you really have to be here for until Thursday night for the ceremony rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Your dad and his girlfriend will be there, right?”

“Why wouldn’t they be?” The tight, clipped tone sounded defensive.

“Rose said you were upset about your dad coming to check on you on Sunday. Is there something more you’re not telling me?”

“Not at all. Like I said, I was hungover and not expecting my dad to barge into my place unannounced and scold me like I’m a teenager.”

“He was worried about you.”

“Yeah, well, that’s what Gray said, too, but it was unnecessary and overbearing. We all drank too much that night. No one went to Gray’s place to check on him.”

“He was up bright and early to meet with Rose.”

“Told you. He’s hot for our Rose.”

Our?

Maggie pressed her lips tight to stave off a jealous retort and the anger that came with his possessive tone when it came to her best friend.

“So did you work things out with your dad?”

“Nothing to work out. I told him exactly how I felt about him butting into my business and interfering in my life. He’s getting what he wants, so he should be happy.”

That jarred her. “What does that mean?”

“What?”

“What do you mean he’s getting what he wants?”

“Oh, nothing. Sorry. I got distracted by this news report on TV. Dad and I are fine. He’s excited about the wedding and thrilled at the idea of me becoming a husband and father. Are you sure we can’t skip the wedding and move right to the honeymoon?” The suggestive tone was all too familiar and made her relax.

“I thought that’s what we’d been doing for the past eight months.”

“You are so right, sweetheart. Every day with you is like a honeymoon. I hope we keep it that way.”

“Why should anything change now?”

“You and I are really just made for each other.”

When they talked like this, it really seemed so, because they were only talking about them. When other people were involved—his father, Gray, and even Rose—it got confusing and complicated.

“Let’s plan to meet up with Rose and Gray tomorrow evening,” he suggested. “We’ll go out and have some fun, just like you wanted us to do.”

“Are you sure? It didn’t seem like you really wanted to do that.” Maggie hoped Rose didn’t infer they were talking about her and Gray.

“You know I love Rose.”

You do? Since when?They barely knew each other.

“Gray is family. I know how much you want us all to get along and hang out. All I want is for you to be happy.”

Maggie got the sense he was placating her again by saying all the right things but meaning something else entirely, because it sounded like he was fine with going out with them, but he hadn’t actually said so.

“I’m with Rose now. I’ll see if they can join us.”

“Great. In fact, I’ve got an idea that I’d love to enlist Rose to help me with. A little wedding surprise for my fiancée.”

Maggie thought it sweet that he wanted to do something forher and to ask Rose to help him. It would be a great way for them to get to know each other better.