Susanna Carr - The Bridesmaid's Best Man

“That’s not surprising since you have to go to every event.” He needed that kind of access if he was going to find out more about Heidi and her accident.

“Weddings used to be so simple,” Angie said as she continued walking. “When I get married, it’s going to be on a beach with a few friends and a minister. Shoes optional.”

Cole felt the weight of regret settle in his chest when he heard those words. When she got married. Did she have someone in mind or was this in theory? All he knew was that he wasn’t part of those plans.

Angie dipped her head as if she were embarrassed for mentioning her ideal wedding to an ex. “I should get going,” she said, awkwardly motioning at the door. “I hope your undercover work goes well.”

“Thanks,” he said gruffly. “You need a ride?”

“No, I’m on the party bus,” she said as she moved backward. Her steps were slow, as if she wanted to say something more.

“Angie?” Cole hesitated. He wasn’t sure if he should do this. If he should say anything. If he had any other option, he wouldn’t pursue this.

She kept walking backward. “Yeah?”

He shifted from one foot to the other. This was probably a bad idea. “I know we didn’t end well and I’m really sorry about that, but...”

She stopped walking. “Yeah?”

“I need to get into the wedding.” He said the words in a rush. “Are you going with anyone?”

4

“THE NERVE OF that man,” Angie muttered to herself. “Did he think I would jump at the chance to take him?” He most likely did. She had never denied him anything in the past.

Angie blew out a puff of air as she ran around the empty high school track. It was a cold and damp morning. The evergreen trees, spindly and clustered together, did nothing to stop the breeze as the sun weakly shone through the haze of clouds. She splashed through the puddles from last night’s rain and kept moving.

Most people would be reluctant to get out of bed on this kind of day. She had wanted to toss the covers over her head and act like last night didn’t happen. Push away the memory of Heidi injured and unconscious. Forget about Brittany and her demands. Erase Cole completely out of her mind.

Seeing Cole Foster last night had left her unsettled. Every time she tried to sleep, her fragmented dreams were about him, bare-chested and wearing leather pants. Only this time, she boldly touched his muscular body. In her dreams, she encouraged him for more. She wasn’t afraid to take charge.

Angie clenched her teeth and pumped her arms and legs harder. What was it about that man? When she had been with him, she’d felt like she could ask for anything. Try everything. But she had gone too far. Deep down, she must have known. She had held back from exploring her fantasies until she felt secure in the relationship. But it didn’t matter how long she waited. He still ran.

She thought he was different from the other guys. She heard enough boasting to know the men in her world liked their women clingy and submissive. She couldn’t be like that. She was forthright and a little impatient, but she was never aggressive in bed until she was with Cole. She didn’t ask for anything she wouldn’t give to him.

But apparently he didn’t like a strong and powerful woman in bed. A woman who made it very clear how much she wanted him and what she wanted from him. She had felt safe but excited. She trusted he wouldn’t judge her, wouldn’t think less of her. When she had looked into his eyes, she felt like a goddess. But she had been wrong. She had mistaken adoration with intimidation. She had scared him off.

She had learned her lesson. Next time, she would allow the man to take the lead. From now on she would keep her fantasies to herself.

If she wanted to feel strong and powerful, she’d focus on other parts of her life. Like her job and on the track. There she would be encouraged to push herself to the limits. There she could shine.

Angie rounded the bend and saw someone standing at the gate that led to the parking lot. Her steps faltered when she recognized the car parked next to hers. Her heart kicked against her ribs when she saw that it was Cole waiting for her.

Why was this happening? Angie’s chest tightened at the sight of him. She hadn’t seen him for a year and thought he had moved out of Seattle. They had never crossed paths since he returned. Now she’d seen him twice in two days. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to deal with him again. How often would she look at him and think of the broken dreams and the ruined promise of a future together?

And it wasn’t fair, she decided as she maintained her pace. Cole still had the ability to make her pulse skip hard. While she was expected to put effort in her appearance, Cole could throw on some clothes and still manage to look sexy.

Her gaze traveled down the length of his body. The blue buttoned-down shirt skimmed his lean, muscular chest and strong arms. He had incredible strength but he could still gently embrace her. Her gaze lowered and she noticed his faded jeans that emphasized his powerful legs. She always admired how he moved with lethal grace, yet she could outrun him.

She had always been attracted to his mix of force and restraint. He liked to dress casually but had a commanding presence. He spoke with authority in his low, husky voice. Her heart would do a slow flip whenever she saw a twinkle in his dark blue eyes or a curve of a smile on his stern mouth.

As she got closer, she saw his serious expression. The lines on his tired face were deep. It looked as if he hadn’t slept.

No, she wasn’t going to feel sorry. It wasn’t her job to worry or look after him. She wasn’t his girlfriend anymore. She didn’t want to see him. Feel anything for him. She felt too raw, too unprepared.

But she couldn’t avoid him. She had a few more laps to go, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to concentrate with him watching her. If she ignored him here, he would keep at it until she listened. She used to like his persistence. Now, it was just annoying. She knew it was better to get this over and done with.

Angie slowed down and walked to the gate. Her legs were burning and shaking. Sweat glistened on her skin and dampened her gray tank top. Her hair was coming out of the ponytail and she brushed off a few tendrils from her flushed face.

She felt his gaze on her. Her top and shorts felt too small. Her skin tingled and she suddenly didn’t know what to do with her hands. She wanted to cross her arms and hide her small breasts. She felt exposed.

She wasn’t sure why she felt this way. Cole no longer cared. Heck, at one time she thought he found her sexy. That only showed how delusional she truly was.

Resisting the urge to pull on a jacket or sweatpants, Angie grabbed onto the chain-link fence and started her cooling-down routine. “You’re up early.”

“I haven’t gone to bed,” he said quietly as he watched her stretch her legs. “I’ve been at the hospital.”

“I see.” She bent down and hesitated when she felt Cole’s gaze linger on her legs. “How is Heidi?”

“I’m told she’s awake,” he said gruffly. “I can’t get much information because I’m not a friend or next of kin.”

Angie grabbed her foot with one hand and slowly raised her leg behind her. She immediately realized her mistake. She wanted to stretch her quadriceps, but it required her to thrust her chest out. Her nipples tightened and her breasts felt full and heavy. She glanced at Cole just as he dragged his gaze from her breasts to her face. She abruptly looked away.

“Why are you here?” she asked as she dropped her leg. She could skip her cooling-down routine for today. “You’re not dressed for a run.”

“I need your help.” He reached out and offered her the water bottle she had placed next to the gate. “Heidi’s family in California hired me to track her down. I’ve done that and I informed my clients about what happened.”