The Mistake (Bad Bridesmaids #1) - Noelle Adams Page 0,14

or talked to him. It was just as well. She wasn’t sure what she’d been thinking, spilling all her deepest secrets to a man who made a point of never letting himself get too close to anyone.

“So there is someone? Did you end up in bed with the wrong guy or something?”

“I didn’t end up in bed with anyone.” The words reminded her that Robert had put her to bed. She pictured his dark eyes as he’d gazed down at her just before she’d fallen asleep.

He must have thought she was a silly little girl, getting sloppy drunk like a college kid.

It was humiliating. That was what it was.

“Oh, come on.” Ri put down her mug and leaned closer. “What’s the fun of making a mistake if you don’t tell anyone?”

“It wasn’t a mistake. Okay, it kind of was, but it wasn’t a big deal. I just drank too much and made a fool of myself with... with...” The desire to share what she’d been brooding about for the past three weeks was too strong. She admitted in a stage whisper, “Robert Castleman.”

If possible, Ri’s big round eyes got twice as big and round. “Robert Cast— You mean Taylor’s uncle?”

“Yes.” With an exaggerated groan, Amanda slouched back and covered her face with both hands. “I’m the poster child of the evils of overdrinking.”

Ri was laughing now. Couldn’t seem to stop.

“It’s not that funny.”

“Oh yes, it is. Robert Castleman! He’s always going around raising his eyebrows and looking like he’s secretly laughing at everyone. What did you do? Please tell me you threw up all over him or something.”

“I didn’t throw up. I just... I just got a little silly and talked to him a lot and stuff.”

“You didn’t sleep with him?”

“Of course not!”

“Well, he is pretty hot. You’ve got to admit that.”

“Yes, he’s hot. And maybe my drunken self had that in mind. But he wouldn’t do that. He’s kind of a sarcastic asshole, but he’s not that much of an asshole.”

“That’s good anyway. Taylor really loves him. I’d hate to be the one to tell her that her uncle took advantage of a drunk woman. So what did you tell him?”

“I’m not even sure of everything. The night is a blur. But hopefully he’ll take anything I said for intoxicated rambles. He’s probably already forgotten I exist.”

“Maybe. Or maybe he’s been daydreaming about you ever since.”

Amanda snorted. She wasn’t sure about much regarding that night, but of that point she was positive. “The man has never dreamed about anything. He told me so. And if he did, it definitely wouldn’t be about me.”

LATER THAT EVENING, Amanda was back in Richmond and was having dinner with Taylor and another of their friends, Serena.

Serena had also gone to school with them and was currently a history teacher at the same private school they’d all attended. But Taylor and Amanda had only been passing acquaintances with Serena back in school. It wasn’t until their ten-year reunion last year that they started hanging out.

Serena was a single mother and didn’t have as much freedom for socializing as they did. But this weekend her daughter was with Serena’s ex-husband, so she’d been able to go out with them.

They’d chosen a quiet Italian bistro for tonight since they were all tired after a long week at work and weren’t in the mood for revelry. The restaurant was one of Amanda’s favorites, and since it didn’t have a bar, it wasn’t loud or raucous even on the weekends.

Amanda enjoyed her pasta and salad and homemade bread as well as the bottle of Chianti they’d split. They were sharing a piece of tiramisu now and wrapping up a discussion of Serena’s grievances about her ex, who sounded like a world-class bastard.

“I do try to be civil. I mean, the worst thing for Eva would be for me and her dad to be at each other’s throats all the time. But it’s hard.” Serena pushed her wavy red hair away from her face. “I mean, just how selfish and insensitive can a man be?”

“Pretty damned selfish and insensitive,” Amanda confirmed. “I’m sorry you’re having to deal with him. But at least you’re not married to him anymore. That’s got to be a comfort.”

“It is. I’m not sure what I was thinking, getting married at eighteen. I wasn’t anywhere close to mature enough to make a good decision back then.” Serena shook her head. “Never again.”

“Never again getting married?” Taylor asked. “Because I’d fully support that decision, but it