Page 59 of The Worst Best Man

Stupid eloquent bastard. He wasn’t even reading from notes.

“Now, I’m not saying you and Pruitt have changed my mind about marriage. But you do make love look appealing. I’ve never had someone in my corner the way Pruitt is in yours. Well, except for you, Chip, and you’re already taken.”

The crowd laughed eagerly.

“I’m honored to be in both your corners today. And for the first time in my life, I worry that I just might be missing out.”

Every woman on the terrace swooned. It was an audible sigh, like a flock of birds taking flight at once.

“To Chip and Pruitt. I wish you all the happiness that comes with living and loving,” Aiden said, raising his glass of champagne.

“To Chip and Pruitt,” the guests echoed.

That sexy rat bastard. No one would have guessed that just a few hours ago the man had allowed his so-called best friend to be used as bait.Aiden came to her, the microphone in hand. He leaned down and in, his lips brushing her ear.

“Quit glaring at me, sweetheart. You’ll spoil the pictures.”

He handed over the mic, winked, and returned to his seat.

Frankie cursed him. Her pulse rate was running at jack hammer speeds. One brush of his lips against her ear lobe, and she was ready to take his pants off under the table and grip his cock with both hands.

How was she supposed to give a speech when her nether-region was throbbing like volcano about to erupt? The man was leaking pheromones, nature’s roofies.

Grateful for the cover of the table and the long gown, Frankie rose and stood with her legs crossed tight. She cleared her throat and focused on Pru’s pretty face.

“I have two loud, obnoxious brothers at home. My whole childhood was spent wishing for a sister. Someone to even the odds. Someone who didn’t leave the toilet seat up.”

The crowd chuckled.See? She could be funny, too.

“I didn’t get my wish until I moved into my dorm freshman year. I walk into my new room, carting all of the freshman necessities like cheese curls and a straightening iron with my brothers bickering about who was carrying more stuff. And there she was,” Frankie smiled down at Pru who was already crying.

“My sister. She told my brothers to quit whining and to go order us a pizza. A good one, not one crapped up with onions and anchovies, if I recall. We were there for each other through mid-terms and finals, and boys and late nights, and hangovers, and more boys. Pru taught me to ski. I taught her to flip the bird to cabs in the crosswalk.”

Pru laughed and wiped her eyes.

“But for me, the absolute best thing about our relationship,” she paused to shoot a look at Aiden, “is being here today and seeing you two so happy. When you love someone, when you really care about them, nothing is more important to you than seeing them happy. And seeing you and Chip here today, I couldn’t be happier or more proud. You found your way back to each other, earned it. And together you’ll face the future as a team. I love you two. Salute.”

“Salute,” the crowd echoed and the air rang with the clinking of the finest crystal Barbados had to offer.

Chapter Twenty-Three

He caught her on the dance floor. Frankie was sharing a dance and laughing with Chip when Aiden appeared with Pru in his arms.

“Care to trade partners?” Aiden offered.

“Get your hands off my wife, Kilbourn,” Chip teased, reaching for Pru and reeling her in.

“There ye be, my pirate husband!”

Frankie started to step away, but Aiden held out his hand to her, daring her to take it.Fine. She could deal with a dance.One dance. It didn’t mean she’d end up naked with him doing magical things to her body.

“Sorry about ruining our pictures,” Chip told Pru.

She shook her head at him. “Everything was absolutely perfect. Think of the story we’ll have to tell our grandkids someday,” Pru told him. “I’m just glad you’re safe.”

“I have Frankie and Aiden to thank for that.”

“Ahem!” Frankie cleared her throat, staring pointedly at Aiden.