Stalking His Bride - Lucy Darling Page 0,5

of marriage that has her turned off, or what she thinks hers will be like. From what I’ve seen over the last week, she’s been excited for her best friend to get married.

“You don’t know my mother. My bucket list is shorter than her list of suitable men for me to marry.” Her eyes go round when a few plates are cleared from the center of the table and fresh ones put down. “You're going to have to roll me out of here.”

“I think I’ll just carry you out.”

She reaches over and gives my arm a squeeze. “I bet you could.” She pulls her hand away and I want to put it back, wanting her touch as much as I need my next breath. “Oh, crapper.” She grabs a napkin. “I’m so sorry. This is why you shouldn't eat with your fingers.” She wipes a small smudge of sour cream off me.

“It’s just a shirt.” She cocks her head to the side and gives me a sweet, soft smile that lights up her whole face. It also shows me how innocent she really is. Too young for the likes of me. “The list.” I circle back.

“It’s at home but I’m sure it’s boring to you.”

“Try me.”

She licks her bottom lip. She leans over a little again. “Well, with Tinsley getting married in a few days, I think I can scratch off make out with someone at the reception.”

“I’m sure you can.” With me. I’ll check that all the way the fuck off for her. I’ll be the only one she’s making out with. “What else?”

She shrugs. “A lot of random stuff, but the bachelorette party is on there. So are you going to help me or not?”

“I’ll help you. If you show me your list.”

“You drive a hard bargain, Mr. James.” She snags a grape from the meat and cheese board. “You’ve got yourself a deal.” She pops it into her mouth. You’d think she won something. When really I am the one that is now holding all the cards.

4

Carly

“I’m never going to fit into my bridesmaid dress. I can’t take all these.” I push the to-go containers back toward James. I can’t believe how long we’ve been sitting here. It wasn't until I realized we were alone in the restaurant except for the staff, did I put it together.

“I’ll help you eat it.” He stands, pushing his chair back. He pulls mine out next for me before grabbing the two bags with the containers. He offers me his arm and I take it, leaning into him. If I didn't know any better I’d think James is into me. “This way.”

He guides me back toward Tinsley and Reed’s place as he pulls out his phone. He sends a text before pocketing it again. I lean into him more. James is so different from the boys I went to school with. He actually listens when I talk. In fact, he asks more and more questions about me until I feel as though I’m the only one talking. But no matter how much I talk, he listens, which is a nice change.

“In.” He opens the passenger side door to a giant fancy looking SUV.

“Is this a Bond car?” I tease.

“It was in a few movies.” He winks before shutting the door behind me. He jogs around to the driver’s side, hops in, and puts the takeout bags in my lap for me to hold.

“Oh, my address.”

“I know where you live.”

“You know where I live?”

“I followed you back to your place after Tinsley and Reed blew up. I wanted to make sure you got home okay.”

“Isn't that kind of creepy?” It’s actually a little sweet.

He shrugs. “Don’t really care. Wanted to make sure you were safe. That’s all that mattered to me.”

“I wish I could be that cool.” I lean back in the seat. “To not care what other people think of me.”

“You know you don’t have to care if you don’t want to. It’s that easy.”

“You make it sound easy. It’s been drilled into my head since birth that other people’s opinions matter. So I feel as though I’m always walking on eggshells when I’m home.” He slows to a stop at the light. I peek over at him. I really don’t think James cares what anyone thinks about him. He has that whole I’m hot and I’m not even trying thing going on. I love that he’s not cocky. Everything from his short dirty blond hair to his short beard is