Trouble with the Fake Boyfriend (Rock Bottom #3) - Holly Renee Page 0,1
They were perfect for each other, and I couldn’t have been happier for Kennedy.
I handed her bouquet to her as she grinned at me with the biggest smile I had ever seen on her face then she took off down the aisle with the man of her dreams.
I wrapped my arm in Jase’s as he led me back down the aisle, but I made sure to smile over at Ryan before I did so.
He looked a little shocked by the flirt, but he smiled back.
The reception was a whirlwind of activity and being shoved in different directions by the wedding planner, and it wasn’t until I finally got to take a deep breath at the bar and grab a glass of champagne that I finally got a moment alone with Ryan.
“Ryan, has anyone told you how handsome you look tonight?”
He looked up at me from his beer, and by the way he didn’t answer immediately, I wasn’t sure if he realized that I was talking to him.
“Other than Tucker’s mom, nope.” He chuckled, and the sound was endearing. How had I not noticed that before?
“Well, I’m here to tell you.” I tipped my champagne flute in his direction. “That you clean up well.”
He seemed a bit surprised at my words, and I couldn’t say that I blamed him. Ryan and I had only spoken a handful of words to each other before, and they definitely didn’t sound anything like the ones that just left my mouth.
“I would say the same to you.” His eyes roamed down my body and over my bridesmaid’s dress that fit me like a second skin. “But you always look beautiful.”
I ran my finger down the lapel of his suit, and he tracked the movement inch by inch.
“You’re sweet.”
He took a step closer to me, almost unnoticeably so, but I noticed.
Apparently, so did Liam.
“Weddings wear me out.” He saddled up next to Ryan, and Ryan pulled his attention away from me to look at his friend. “Anyone up for a shot?”
He didn’t wait for either of us to answer. Instead, he ordered three shots of tequila from the bartender and thanked him as he quickly poured the shots.
Liam handed the first shot to Ryan before turning to me with a shot in each hand. He held the shot out to me and our fingers grazed as the glass slipped from his hand and into mine.
And I hated that a simple touch from him could stir more inside of me than this whole little charade with Ryan.
“To friends.” He raised his glass and touched it to mine causing a tiny bit to slosh over on my fingers. His eyes didn’t leave mine as he threw the shot back and swallowed it as if it was water.
“Friends.” Ryan chuckled softly, and I pulled my attention away from Liam long enough to smile at him before I threw back the liquor that burned my throat.
I set my empty shot glass down on the bar next to Liam just as a new song started playing through the speakers, and I gave Liam my back as I asked Ryan, “Do you want to dance? I feel like dancing!”
Ryan grinned and I could tell he wanted to look to Liam, but I didn’t give him the chance. I took his hand in mine and pulled him to the dance floor. Kennedy and Tucker were dancing with the biggest grins on their faces, and I wrapped my arms around Ryan’s shoulders as we began to dance alongside them.
Ryan gripped my hands in his and slowly unlaced my fingers before pushing me away from him and twisting me into a spin. My body hit his with a thud, and I couldn’t stop laughing.
“These other boys don’t have a thing on me.” He wiggled his eyebrows, and I laughed some more as he dipped me.
“Boys? Are you a boy, Ryan?”
“You know what I meant.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m a man.”
“Don’t start beating on your chest now. You’re the one who said it.”
I wrapped my arms back around his shoulders, and I felt so relaxed with him.
“I have several references that could attest to just how manly I am.”
He was still grinning, and I swear it was the easiest damn grin ever, like nothing or no one could make it fall from his face.
“Oh yeah?” I looked around the room. “Are any of those references in this room? Should I start questioning the girls that line up to catch the bouquet, or is this more