The Bridesmaid's Best Man (5 page)

“We were a couple then,” she said softly.

“You are still very important to me.” She was the most important person in his life, but he couldn't tell her that. Angie wouldn't believe him, anyway.

“So important that you couldn't stay in touch?” she asked bitterly.

He dragged his gaze to meet hers. Staying in touch would have been a constant reminder of what he couldn't have. “I thought a clean break would be best. It hasn't been easy for me, either. It still isn't.”

“And you think that being my date for the wedding will make it better?”

“No, but I think we're at a point where we can be friendly with each other. Do you really want to deal with that bride on your own? Think of me as backup.”

“She is unbearable,” she said as she considered his suggestion. “It would be nice to show up with a stripper boyfriend.”

He jerked back. “Say what?”

“Most of the wedding guests will think that you're a stripper.” Angie bit her lip as she tried to contain her smile. “Patrick and some of the other guys will know the truth but I could tell them that our breakup sent you into a tailspin.”

He had crashed and burned once he left Angie. It had taken him nearly a year to get back on his feet. “You want me to continue the role as a stripper?”

“Why not? You're the one who started it. And no one would question my sudden wedding date. After all, you showed me special attention last night. Thanks for that.”

He ignored her sarcasm. “You're really considering this?”

“Brittany is going to have a fit that I'm bringing a date at such late notice.” She grimaced as if she were imagining the bride's reaction. “I'll talk to Cheryl, her assistant. She's in charge of the details.”

“Think you can get me into Heidi's room today?” He knew he was already pushing her, but he was running against the clock. If he didn't get answers in the next few days, chances were he never would.

“I was going to visit her today after Brittany's meeting,” she revealed reluctantly. “I'll meet you at the hospital and we'll go in together.”

“Thank you,” he said. He wasn't sure if the relief he felt was because he could move forward with his assignment or because Angie was on his side once more.

Angie gave a sharp nod and got into her car. “By the way, my stripper boyfriend is totally into me,” she said. “He can't believe his luck that he landed me.”

“I can do that.” He wouldn't even have to pretend. He had felt that way since she had accepted his invitation for a first date. He had no idea what he did to convince her and often felt he was living on borrowed time. He knew someday she would wake up and see she could do much better than him.

“But I'm not really into him,” Angie warned Cole. “Everyone would get suspicious if I was all clingy and affectionate.”

Especially since she didn't act that way in public, Cole thought. But when they had been alone, she was very demonstrative and explicit in her requests. “So it's only physical attraction?” he teased.

She grinned. “Yeah, something like that.”

“Then that will be our cover. By the end of today, everyone will think we're having a red-hot but brief reunion,” he promised. It had to be short-term for his sanity. One touch from her and he'd want another. One kiss and he wouldn't stop. Unless this had a predetermined end date, he'd start to believe he had another chance. He'd forget that she never loved him—couldn't love him—in the first place.

“A wild fling?” Her smile disappeared. “No one will believe that.”

“They will.” Because he was going to make the most of this temporary affair. “I guarantee it.”

5

“T
HIS
WAS
A
bad idea.” Angie felt her ponytail swing against her shoulders as she strode down the hospital corridor. She was nervous and it showed. She took a deep breath and gripped the flower arrangement tighter.

“Don't back out on me now.” Cole draped his arm around her shoulder.

A sense of longing crashed through her unexpectedly and she tried not to react. It had been common for Cole to touch or hold her whenever they were together. She shouldn't be so surprised.

“Oh, are we pretending to be a couple already?” she asked lightly as she struggled with the opposing needs to shake off his touch and to curl into his body. “Heidi can't see us from here.”

“You don't start pretending the minute you walk into the room,” he explained. “You assume the role as soon as possible. And you never know whom you're going to bump into on the way. What if we see someone from the bridal party?”

Angie pressed her lips together. Cole always had an answer for everything, but she didn't think this was going to work. “No one will believe this.”

“That we're together?” He stopped and looked down at her, his arm cradling her closer. “No one questioned it when we were dating.”

Was he kidding? His friends probably didn't ask or care. She wished she had been so lucky. Her relatives teased her about how opposites attract. Her female clients asked if she used any sexual expertise in grabbing Cole's attention. One acquaintance had asked why Cole was dating her when he could have any woman.

She guessed no one dared to ask Cole those questions. Lucky him. “I mean that no one would think I would hook up with a stripper.”

It didn't help that she had done nothing different with her appearance. Angie knew she should have worn something suggestive or pretty. She winced at the thought. Instead she wore her favorite standbys. The white long-sleeve T-shirt and black track pants were comfortable and her running shoes were top-of-the-line.

She should have given her appearance more thought. After all, she was going to stand next to Cole Foster, whose masculine beauty was emphasized in a blue henley shirt and jeans. Most guys in Seattle wore that combination, but for some reason, Cole stood out in the crowd. It wasn't just her opinion. She had seen more than one person in the hall give him a flirtatious glance.

“But it's not unreasonable that you would backslide,” he argued. “Ex sex happens more than you think. Why do you think they give it a name?”

Ex sex. She didn't like that label. It made something that was so emotional into something very casual. She imagined most people had sex with their ex because it would offer some familiarity and comfort. She never had that with Cole. When they were together it had been an exciting roller-coaster ride.

Sometimes the intimacy they had shared felt risky. There were moments that had changed her and made her see Cole differently. Those were the times when she felt they had formed a stronger bond. Backsliding wouldn't let her recapture those life-transforming experiences.

She stumbled to a stop and pretended that she was reading the room numbers. Why was she thinking about that? They weren't backsliding. Cole had no interest in having sex with her. If she responded to any of his gestures or touches, then she would be in trouble. She felt jittery and alive next to him. She was very aware of his clean, masculine scent, how warm and large his hand felt against her shoulder.

“Okay, Heidi's room is over there.” She pointed at the door across the hall. “Ready?”

“Yes.” He squeezed her arm and drew her closer. “Just follow my lead.”

“Wait a second. Let me do the talking,” she suggested. “It would look weird if you started asking questions.”

Cole showed no expression but she felt the tension in his body. Did he think she would mess up? Or was it hard for him to give up any control in his case? He obviously didn't like it if she took charge in or out of bed.

He nodded. “Fine.”

“Really?” She wasn't expecting him to yield. But then, he had surrendered quickly in bed and then she paid for it weeks later. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, absolutely. She'll talk to you because she knows you.”

“Okay, let's do this.” Angie thrust out her chin and walked out of Cole's embrace. She knew he wanted to enter as a loving couple, but that would distract her. It was bad enough that she already felt the loss of his touch. That bothered her. A year without Cole and she was craving for him more than ever.

Angie knocked on the door and peered inside the room. “Heidi? Do you feel up for visitors?”

Heidi's hands flew to her face. “Oh, I look horrible.”

“No, not at all,” Angie insisted. It was the truth. The woman's short hair was ruffled and her face was pale, but she was still stunning. The hospital gown did nothing to detract from her fragile beauty.

“Who's that?” Heidi asked as Angie set the bouquet of flowers on the bedside table. “Wait a second, you look familiar.”

“This is Cole.” She only paused for a second before she hooked her arm around his waist and leaned into his body. It felt as good as she remembered. “He was one of the strippers last night.”

“You two got together last night?” Heidi stared at Angie, her mouth hanging open with shock. “You landed a stripper?
You
did?”

Angie cast an I-told-you so look at Cole. He seemed more confused by Heidi's reaction than anything. “Well, last night was crazy,” she said as she returned her attention to Heidi. “Don't you remember?”

Heidi pressed her hand against her head. “No. A lot of it is fuzzy.”

“I don't remember you drinking that much,” she said. She felt awkward and didn't know how Heidi would respond. But if there was one thing Angie knew about being a personal trainer, she always broached difficult topics head-on.

Cole reached up and wrapped his finger around the end of her ponytail. She bit her lip, remembering the bite of pressure when he tugged her hair. He did it to get her attention, either to tease or to warn. She'd almost forgotten how they had silently communicated.

“I don't drink. All those calories, you know?” she said in a rush. “It's either juice or water.”

“I suggest that to my clients all the time,” Angie murmured. Heidi hadn't been drinking? That threw out the theory that she was too drunk to stand. Or was the maid of honor lying? She couldn't remember what Heidi had been drinking. She hadn't paid any attention.

Angie wasn't sure if she could trust Heidi's answer. Avoiding calories was something she expected from Heidi, but it didn't ring true. Angie also remembered the spilled drink next to Heidi when they had placed her in the recovery position.

Angie jumped a little when she felt Cole's fingertips trail down her spine. “Do you know when you'll get out of here?” she asked in a rush.

“I'm under observation. I'm told it's something they have to do for head injuries.” Heidi bit her lip as if she were reluctant to say something. “But the strangest thing happened.”

“Oh? What?” Angie's breath caught in her throat as Cole dragged his fingers up and down her back. Did he think it was comforting? She was breathing fast as her entire world centered on the gentle caress of his fingertips.

“My parents called to see if I was okay,” Heidi said, her eyes wide as she revealed the news. “I haven't talked to them in years. Not since they kicked me out of the family after I...well, there was a time during college when I was out of control. I thought they didn't want to have anything to do with me. I didn't contact them even after I got my life back on track because I thought they gave up on me. I have no idea how they found out where I was or what happened to me.”

“I guess they've always been looking out for you,” Cole said quietly. “They just needed a reason to reach out.”

As Heidi leaned back on her pillow to consider what he said, Angie looked up at Cole and gave him a warning glare. “Well, Heidi, we should go so you can get some rest. I hope you'll still be at the wedding.”

Heidi's mouth trembled. “The doctors don't think that will be possible.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “I feel terrible about letting Brittany down. She's never going to forgive me.”

“Don't worry about her. She—” Angie forgot what she was about to say as she felt Cole's hand glide against the curve of her hip. She had to get out of here before she bucked against his touch. “This wasn't your fault.”

“Thanks,” Heidi said as she watched Angie move away from Cole and take a few steps for the door. “And thanks for the flowers.”

“You're welcome. Get better soon!” Angie hurried out of the room but she couldn't escape. She didn't have to look back to know that Cole was right behind her.

* * *

C
OLE
SAID
A
quick goodbye to Heidi and then followed Angie. She was moving fast, almost breaking into a run. He was tempted to reach out and grab her ponytail. Wrap it around his hand and hold her still.

He caught up with her several rooms down and blocked her path. “What's the rush?”

She looked over her shoulder as if she were focused on a destination. “I had to get out of there before you blew your cover.”

She thought he was blowing their cover? He wasn't the one who had bolted. He would have liked to have asked a few more questions but the opportunity was gone. He had to admit, though, that Angie's questions were helpful. She did well for her first interrogation. “We were very convincing.”

Angie rolled her eyes and leaned against the wall. “First you talked about the parents as if you had intimate knowledge of the situation,” she whispered fiercely. “And then you went a little overboard with the public displays of affection.”

Was that why she abruptly ended the interview? Was his touch unbearable to her now? He wanted to stroke her skin and curl her against his side. He wished she would respond by boldly touching him, publicly acknowledging his claim with a simple gesture or touch. Yet she had to get away from him.

Or was it the opposite? Did she still like it when he held her? Was she holding back because this was supposed to be all pretend? It didn't feel pretend to him. Did she also think it felt too much like the real thing? He tried to tamp down the hope billowing inside him.

“You were never this touchy-feely when we were together,” she complained.

“Then you are remembering it wrong.” Still, she may have a point. In the past, one touch or one look held the promise of something more. Now that wasn't the case and who knew how many chances he would get to hold her like this? This could be his only opportunity to relive these moments.

Angie smoothed her hand over her hair and tilted her head back. “It's too bad Heidi didn't have a lot of information.”

“But she did. She said she wasn't drinking.”

“Of course she's going to say that,” Angie argued. “She doesn't want Brittany mad at her. The fact is there was a spilled martini next to her.”

“It doesn't mean she had any of that in her system.” He rested his arm against the wall and looked down at Angie. “I really wish I could get my hands on her blood test.”

“Good luck with that.” Angie said. “I don't know much about investigations but I know the medical staff will protect Heidi's privacy. No one is going to give it to you.”

Cole saw a movement from the corner of his eye. “Here comes the other bridesmaid. Let's sell this relationship once and for all.”

She gave him a wary look. “What do you have in mind?”

“Just this.” He lowered his head and claimed her mouth with his.

Cole knew he was playing with fire. He only intended to skim her lips. But he found that he couldn't pull away. He needed another kiss and then another. He traced her full, soft lips with the tip of his tongue.

Angie opened her mouth and drew him in. Triumph swept through him. He cupped her jaw with both hands and leaned in. She kissed him as if she couldn't get enough of him. Excitement pulsed through Cole as Angie grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer.

“Hey, you two,” Robin said loudly. “Get a room.”

Cole wrenched away from Angie. Damn it, he thought as he gulped for air. He forgot. He forgot where they were and why they were kissing. Most of all, he forgot that kissing Angie was like sharing a piece of his soul.

“Oh, it's you from last night.” Robin gave a sly smile to Angie and tapped her arm with the box of chocolates she held in her hand. “Good for you. I thought the two of you would hit it off.”

“What are you doing here, Robin?” Angie asked as she pushed away from the wall. “I thought you didn't like Heidi.”

Cole was suddenly taken aback. He knew from surveillance that Robin and Heidi didn't get along, but he didn't think Angie would say it so bluntly. Yet Robin didn't seem to mind.

“Eh,” she said and gave a shrug. “The best way to describe it is that we're frenemies.”

This was a person he needed to speak to. Robin knew Heidi from the past and could give him some insight. “The doctor just went in to check on Heidi,” Cole lied. “It may be a while. Let's get some coffee while we wait. My treat.”

“Lead the way,” Robin said.

By the time Cole brought the drinks to their table in the café, he noticed that Robin was relaxed and talkative. He was glad Angie didn't start asking questions right away. It surprised him that Angie knew how to approach Robin. The two women were very different. Robin wore impractical heels, skintight jeans and a fussy pink blouse that looked like an explosion of ruffles on her chest. He preferred Angie's casual look and natural beauty.

When Cole gave Angie her drink, Robin noticed the complicated order written on the disposable coffee cup. “You guys met last night and he already knows your coffee order?”