Just This Night (30 page)

I groaned. “Maybe I need to start spiking drinks just in case . . . ”

“Now you're thinking like a journalist.” He held up his fist and I reluctantly bumped it with my own. “Just do me a solid and skip mine, okay? I have to give a best man toast later on and will need to keep my ability to speak in complete sentences if I'm going to manage to muddle through it.”

“That's right, the toasts!” I exclaimed. With all that had happened, I'd almost forgotten I wasn't off the hook with Maid of Honor duties just yet. I pulled out the paper I'd worked on the night before from my pocket, studying it with critical eyes.

“Wow—you came prepared, didn't you?” Asher noted, looking impressed. “And here I was just thinking of winging mine.”

He grabbed the paper out of my hand before I could stop
him, opening it up and scanning the words I'd written. I felt my cheeks heat as I stood there awkwardly, waiting for his assessment.

“It's just a stupid little thing I whipped up . . . ” I stammered.

He looked over at me. “This is really good,” he exclaimed, as if he were surprised. I didn't know whether to be pleased or insulted by that. He handed the paper back to me. “I'm going to sound like a total tool in comparison.”

I rolled my eyes. “I'm sure you'll do fine. It's not rocket science you know.”

“Well, obviously not for you,” he muttered. “I, on the other hand . . . ”

“Asher Anderson! There you are!”

I looked up, just in time to see a vivacious blonde, wearing a dress cut far too low to be considered proper wedding attire, practically throw herself on top of Asher. As one did, I supposed, if you were a hot blonde in a low-cut dress. As she kissed him soundly on both cheeks, he simultaneously tried to peel her off his body. I stifled an unexpected grin at the annoyed look on his face.

Maybe it wasn't so good to be the king
all
the time.

“Hey Jess,” he said, his voice measured. “I didn't realize you were on the guest list.”

“Of course!” the girl—Jess—cried, almost indignantly. Then she giggled. “Okay, fine. I'm totally crashing. But how could I just leave you here, all by your lonesome, with all these bridesmaids wandering around, looking to hook up.” She gave me a derisive look, obviously lumping me into the aforementioned category. “Just consider me your plus one,” she cooed. “Now come on, let's go say hi to the happy couple!”

“Okay, okay!” Asher said holding up his hands in protest. He gave me an impish shrug, then mouthed “sorry.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

And with that, she practically dragged him across the lawn, toward the main house. I watched the two of them go, surprised at the shimmer of disappointment fluttering through my stomach.

I frowned. What was that all about? I mean, it wasn't as if I'd wanted him to stick around or anything. And besides, as Maid of Honor I had a lot left to do. In addition to the toast, I had to pose for photos, make sure Beth had everything she needed. I didn't have time to just hang out and chat.

Especially not with Asher Anderson of all people.

Also, even if I had wanted him to stay for some crazy reason, what made me think that he would want to? He probably just felt sorry for me—and was being a gentleman, making sure I was okay. Acting the part of a good Best Man, making sure the crazy bridesmaid didn't screw up the groom's big day any further.

Because what else could there be between someone like me—and someone like Asher? We may have been paired for the wedding, but in real life? We might as well have come from different solar systems. And while yes, he might have saved me today, he might have grinned at me and made silly jokes, tomorrow I would cease to exist in his world. And that was just how it had to be.

Besides, if he had known what had truly freaked me out on the beach? The real reason I was so scared of those waves? He wouldn't be interested in talking to me anymore anyway. In fact, he'd probably be the one to run away screaming.

I sighed, turning back to the ocean, forcing myself to stare out into the endless dark waters from the relative safety of the cliff, watching the waves beat up the shore. I bit my lower lip, feeling my pulse kick up in my veins all over again.

Piper! Where's your brother?

Where the hell is your brother?

Some people thought the ocean was beautiful. Peaceful. But to me, it was nothing more than a
graveyard.

Mari Madison
is a former multiple Emmy Award–winning television producer and author of novels for adults and teens. She's worked at television news stations in Boston, San Diego, and Orlando, and helped launch the nationally syndicated morning show
Better
in New York City. Under the name Mari Mancusi, she writes young adult books, including the Blood Coven Vampire novels, most recently
Soul Bound
and
Bad Blood
. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and young daughter and their dog, Mesquite.

Looking for more?
Visit Penguin.com for more about this author and a complete list of their books.
Discover your next great read!