have to block someone’s view of the ceremony in order to capture the right photographs, but there wasn’t a way around that. With any luck the rain would stop and give them more space outside. And by this time tomorrow, it would all be over and she could add a shot to her margarita and move on with her own personal plans.
“You never told me who you were to the bridal party,” Shannon said once Justin turned around to join her in their drinks.
“I’m the best man.”
It was Shannon’s turn to spit out her drink. “What?”
He took a napkin from the bartender’s stack and handed it to her with a wink.
“Yeah. Sorry. Maybe I should have said that first.”
Shannon pushed her drink aside. “You think? I’m dishing out crap on your best friend and you’re playing along.” She wasn’t sure who the bigger jerk was now . . . him or the groom. Or maybe it was her.
“You’re only speaking the truth. We all know Victor’s an asshole, but we love him anyway. I mean, c’mon, a destination wedding? Who does that? Pretentious and self-centered people who could care less about what the guests have to go through to get there.” Justin smiled with a wink. “Not to mention Mexico. Half of his family refused to come because they were worried the cartel would somehow kidnap them and hold them hostage or some such stupid shit.”
“Things like that do happen.”
Justin rolled his eyes.
She stood from her bar stool and straightened her shirt. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll just go back to my hotel now and avoid putting my foot any farther down my mouth.” She grabbed her drink, needing it now more than ever, and turned to make her exit.
Then slammed straight into Victor, the asshole’s, chest.
Her drink went flying, soaking the man’s dress shirt. The glass hit the floor but, surprisingly, didn’t shatter.
Once again, her lack of grace coupled with humiliation, and Shannon found herself apologizing. “I am so sorry.” She reached behind her, past a laughing Justin, to the stack of napkins. She dabbed Victor’s chest. “I didn’t see you.”
“I’m fine.” He took napkins from her hands and worked the moisture off his shirt while she continued to wipe with napkins Justin handed to her.
“You shouldn’t sneak up on people.”
Victor paused. “You pour your drink on me and it’s my fault?”
She kept dabbing, not really hearing his words. “You snuck up on me.”
Justin laughed harder.
Shannon looked over her shoulder. “Stop it.”
That didn’t work.
Victor brushed her hands away.
She stood back and realized half the room was watching them.
Her cheeks warmed. The need to make a graceful exit crushed down.
“Oh, man, little brother. You sure know how to piss off the women.”
Shannon’s head swiveled so fast she saw double. “Little brother?”
Justin’s playful grin had her seeing red. “Didn’t I tell you that?”
No. And if she had a glass with another drink, she might channel her inner frat girl and pour it on him. “It must have slipped your mind.” Somewhere between betting on his own brother’s divorce and spooning out the gossip on the wedding party.
The waitstaff moved in around them and cleaned up the floor.
Mrs. Harkin approached the three of them with a frown. “Oh, dear. What happened?”
Victor smiled at his future mother-in-law. “An accident.”
She frowned. “We’re going to get started. Do you want to find a clean shirt?”
“I’m okay,” he told her, catching Shannon out of the corner of his eye.
“We can wait. You are the groom, after all.”
Mrs. Harkin sure knew how to pour on the sugar.
“Not to worry. It matches the soaking from the rain outside.”
Mrs. Harkin dismissed the worry as quickly as she had adopted it as a problem and moved on. “I see you’ve met the photographer.”
Victor looked Shannon straight in the eye. “Informally, yes.”
“Shannon Wentworth comes highly recommended.”
Victor rocked back on his heels, his eyes glued to her. “Is that so.”
“Yes. Some of her photographs have even made it into celebrity magazines. Isn’t that right, Shannon?”
“Only if the bride and groom want that kind of thing.” Very few did. She stared back.
“Of course we do,” Mrs. Harkin said on behalf of both parties. “Why wouldn’t we want that? Weddings of the rich and famous should be celebrated and shared. Don’t you think, Victor?”
Why was he staring at her?
“We’ll see.”
“Did you know that Shannon was the first lady of California? We’re so lucky to have her working for us. Don’t you think?”
He seemed surprised. “You’re the governor’s wife?”