The Wedding Pact Box Set - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,38

to make the next one work.

His conclusion was sobering. He realized he could have lavished all the attention in the world on each one of his exes, and it still wouldn’t have worked. Though some might argue the connection he sought was the stuff of fairytales and folklore—two things Josh McMillan didn’t much believe in—there had been so much spark in his parents’ marriage that they had glowed with it.

That was why Josh found acknowledging his attraction to Megan so difficult. He realized he was not only attracted to her, but he’d finally found that elusive spark . . . except with her, it was more like a blaze. It was crazy. He hardly knew her, but there was no denying it. And while he was tempted to take Noah’s advice and indulge in his desire for her before he left, he couldn’t do it. From what he could see, Megan Vandemeer’s life was full of people dead set on hurting her. He didn’t want to add his name to that list.

And that strangled him more than he’d expected.

“How far are you going to take this?” Noah asked.

Josh sucked in a breath and pushed it out while simultaneously trying to force the thoughts of the sexy brunette out of his head. “I don’t know yet. Bart’s friends and associates have painted a pretty flattering picture of his character, but that doesn’t mean anything. Desperate men go to drastic measures. He seems like an ordinary guy, and he doesn’t have expensive hobbies—an occasional game of golf, camping, fishing . . .”

“A boat?”

“It’s twenty years old, with a small outboard motor.”

“So the wedding is his big expense?”

“I’m pretty sure money slips through his wife’s fingers like water. When I asked about Bart’s financial planner, one of his friends hinted that Bart doesn’t have much money to invest. A woman pulled me aside because she thought I might know what was going on. Joke’s on her, but she had something interesting to say. Rumor has it Bart refinanced the Vandemeers’ house to get the money to pay for the wedding of the year. And it still wasn’t enough.”

“So Bart could be the culprit?”

“Maybe. I was hoping Andrew Peterman, the second principal, would show, but so far he hasn’t made an appearance, and it’s getting late enough that I suspect he won’t.”

“Wow. I’m impressed. I didn’t think you had subterfuge in you, Joshy.”

Noah meant it as a compliment, but Josh suddenly felt dirty. “Nicole mentioned that Bart has a home office on the second floor with the bedrooms. I hope to search their house tonight after everyone goes to bed, but I suspect any real evidence is at his business office. Getting there could be challenging. Her mother is like Mother-of-the-Bridezilla. She’s made itineraries for each of us, and my time is booked solid up until the wedding. I have no idea how I’m going to get away to go to Vandemeer’s office.”

“Doesn’t her family think it’s weird you don’t have any family or friends there?”

“Megan said the shithead she was going to marry hardly had any friends, and neither his parents nor brother were planning on coming.”

“The guy sounds like a tool if his own parents weren’t going to the wedding. Is Vandemeer’s daughter a bitch?”

“No. Not from what I’ve seen. Quite the opposite, in fact. I can’t figure out why she was planning to marry the douche bag.”

“It doesn’t matter. I think you’re onto something. And the fact is, if you’re busy with all the wedding plans, then you need help.”

“What does that mean?”

“Your mother may not be coming to the wedding, but your brother can change his mind and show up tomorrow.”

“What? No!” Josh protested in panic.

“It’s perfect, Josh. I’ll have more free time than you. Besides, you and I both know this is more my type of caper than it is yours.” Noah laughed. “You’re out of your league, Joshy. Admit it.”

Josh paced, rubbing the back of his neck. Noah showing up could be a potential disaster. Noah tended to be a loose cannon. But Josh had to admit he needed help, and Noah had been the one to corner them into this situation in the first place. Time was ticking down, and he’d known going into this that he was going to have to resort to rolling in the mud. “Fine, but you have to behave yourself, Noah.”

“Hey! When have I not behaved myself?”

“Consider why we’re in this situation to begin with . . .”

“Jeez, one time—”

“One time?” Josh