Mallory’s head drops, and my chest tightens. How is it attainable {that a} lady like her—witty, observant, whip good, aggressive, and a downright bombshell—is single and hasn’t even had a gradual boyfriend? It blows my thoughts.

The query of “why” gnaws at me like a puzzle with a lacking piece, and I’m decided to unravel it. I’m a journalist by coaching, in spite of everything.

“Mallory’s mainly married to her job,” Kelsie continues, reaching for a present bag with angel wings on it. “So, I assumed the right reward to say thanks to Mallory could be one thing only for her. Right here, my buddy,” Kelsie says, handing over the mint-green bag. “It’s a weekend spa retreat again within the metropolis, so that you don’t should miss an excessive amount of work to get pleasure from it.”

“Thanks,” Mallory says, giving her buddy a heat hug. However as she spins again to me, her gaze lifts to mine, as if making an attempt to gauge my response. However I don’t have time to react as a result of Sawyer takes the microphone, and my abdomen drops. The grime this man, who’s been my ride-or-die buddy for the final twenty-odd years, might share is plentiful. Hell, it might fill The United Middle.

“A lot of you realize Carson,” Sawyer begins, pulling me in and tossing his arm over my shoulder. “And his repute. However, to be trustworthy, he’s one hell of a man, and I’m proud to name him my greatest buddy. I wouldn’t be the place I’m now, about to marry the girl of my goals with out him.”

“All lies,” I insist to an echo of chuckles from these shut sufficient to listen to.

Sawyer shoots me an amused look however continues. “Carson is sharp and astute. He’s as fun-loving as they arrive, however what you won’t know—what he tries to maintain underneath wraps—is that he’s extremely beneficiant along with his money and time.”

I duck my chin as he continues, clapping me on the again.

“He doesn’t like phrase of his good deeds to destroy his repute, however to thank him for being right here for me this weekend, I’ve made a donation in his identify to the Bennett Media Group Basis, the non-profit Carson directed the start-up of final yr as a way to fund a wide range of impartial initiatives throughout Chicago.”

Sawyer extends a hand as well mannered applause echoes among the many tables.

“Thanks, man,” I say, pulling him in for a hug. “Actually.”

“Anytime.”

Mallory and I return to our seats, however I barely hear a phrase of the glowing reward Kelsie shares about her matron of honor. Or how Sawyer thanks his brother for serving as the very best man. My consideration is concentrated like a laser beam on Mallory’s palms and the way in which her fingers fidget restlessly in her lap. It’s the one inform she’s ever provided that one thing’s on her thoughts.

As the gang claps and the servers arrive with dessert, I can’t assist however supply an escape. I would like an opportunity to attract her out, to get to know her higher. “That supply for a stroll by the lake remains to be good. After the strawberry cake, in fact.”

She turns to review me, her eyes as navy because the Chicago Bears’ away jerseys. She’s debating the supply as if jotting down causes on a pro-and-con chart. I shoot her a smile in an try and tip the scales in my course, and I’m pretty sure she’s going to say sure. However after an extended beat, her lips press collectively. “I…I don’t assume that’s a good suggestion.”

Mallory

Heat breath skates over the naked pores and skin of my shoulder as an unmistakable presence, and the acquainted cologne of a sure tall, darkish, playful bachelor floats on the air, as I wait in line on the patio bar.

“Guess you’ll be able to’t stump the bartender.”

The scrumptious, low voice tightens the curl of want in my stomach. The one which appeared when Carson, sporting a tailor-made, crisp grey go well with with a silver silk tie, his darkish unruly hair wild, supplied me his arm on the prime of the steps this afternoon earlier than the ceremony, with a easy, “You look gorgeous.”

It continued when, all through the ceremony and particularly throughout the alternate of vows, his eyes barely strayed from me. I’m uncertain why, contemplating I turned down his supply of a stroll down by the lake final evening. Possibly, it’s the chase, and he’s doubling down as a result of he’s not used to girls saying no.

However now that the pictures are performed and we’ve got a couple of minutes to benefit from the cocktail hour, my plan to withstand the pull of this man, even when we’re simply Carson and Mallory for the weekend, is dissolving earlier than my eyes. I do know I shouldn’t fall even additional underneath his spell, shouldn’t let his harmless playfulness and our ridiculous settlement distract me from the very fact he’s nonetheless the Vice President of town’s largest media firm.

However for 1,000,000 causes I can’t fairly clarify, I scan the array of bottles on show behind the bartender, totally conscious that by accepting his problem to stump the bartender, I’m on this now with Carson. No matter that is. At the least, it’s just for the weekend.

“What are we enjoying for this time?”

There’s a whisper of a chuckle as we inch ahead, with just one visitor in line forward of me as Carson slips to my aspect. “What would you just like the stakes to be?”

I don’t have a very good reply, so as an alternative of answering his query, I shoot him a sidelong smile and return to the problem he tossed out. “You do bear in mind I used to be a sorority woman in my undergrad days, don’t you?”

His palm flies to his chest.

“You assume I purchase into stereotypes like that?” However mock offense dances in his eyes and he’s preventing a smile.

“Why do I get the sensation you don’t thoughts dropping?”

“I don’t thoughts dropping to you,” he corrects rapidly. “There’s a distinction.”

I maintain his gaze, now lethal critical. I shouldn’t ask. I’d be higher off not opening that may of worms, however I can’t assist it. “And why, pray inform, is that?”

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