Dating the Guy Next Door Read online

  “Of course not,” Tucker assured him. “I’m sure you’ll have no problems convincing Henry. It’s a good project. And now, about tonight’s dinner, as promised, the old man won’t be there, but I was thinking it would be a good opportunity to meet some of the bridesmaids. They’re all single, and gorgeous.”

  “What?” Will held up his hand. It also explained why his brother had come bearing gifts. No such thing as a free coffee and a bagel. “Slow down, Cupid. There will be no single bridesmaids. I’m only back in town for three weeks. Besides, I was just about to tell you that I’m bringing someone to the wedding.”

  Now it was Tucker’s turn to look surprised. “Since when?”

  “Since yesterday afternoon. The invitation did say that I could bring a guest. Is that a problem?” Will challenged, relieved that he’d had the forethought to talk Riley into coming with him. It had only occurred to him on the plane that it might be a good idea to have someone to act as a buffer between him and his family. He just hadn’t expected to need her help against his brother as well.

  “Of course it’s not a problem,” Tucker assured him with a quick shake of his head. “Just a surprise. So who’s the lucky lady?”

  “Riley.”

  “Riley?” Tucker didn’t look impressed.

  “What’s wrong with that?” Will’s jaw tightened. What the hell was his brother’s deal? “You like Riley, remember? Said that she was cute, smart and made a mean margarita.”

  “Hey, don’t get me wrong. Riley’s a great girl and she has the patience of a saint to put up with you.” Tucker looked slightly surprised at Will’s annoyance. “But she’s also your best friend. Don’t you think it’s time that you took a step back from your Save-the-World mission and paid some attention to forming a meaningful relationship that lasts longer than two weeks? I know you’re still upset about Lisa, but it’s time to move on.”

  “I’m not remotely upset about Lisa.” Will growled. “She and the old man deserve each other.”

  And what was wrong with only dating someone for two weeks? It was a nice amount of time. Long enough to enjoy it and short enough not to get tied down to someone who only wanted you for your family name and money. If you asked him it was a win/win.

  “So, what’s stopping you then?” Tucker leaned forward and Will let out a silent groan. He’d forgotten to take into account that his brother was now a lovestruck moron who wanted to convert as many people as possible. Then again, he should’ve seen it coming. His brother had always been quick to preach, though in the past it had been confined to what beer to drink and brand of car to drive. “You’ve no idea what you’re missing out on. The way a whole new side of you opens up when you’re with someone you can trust. It’s magical.”

  “Right.” Will only just resisted the urge to vomit. To think that his once happily single brother now sounded like a greeting card was more than a little disconcerting. Will knew from experience that money changed people, but it was now becoming obvious that so did love. “I hope this isn’t an indication of what your wedding vows are going to sound like.”

  “I’m serious, Will. You’re twenty-six and you’re living out of a backpack in an apartment with no furniture and a lot of ugly potted plants that belong in a dumpster.”

  “That’s a little harsh,” Will protested. There was nothing wrong with the potted plants. He also realized that unless he wanted another week of this kind of speech, not to mention more matchmaking by his insane brother, he was going to have to do something about it. “Besides, who said that Riley and I aren’t dating?”

  “What?” Tucker’s pale eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

  “Sure. Er, I mean yes. Dating. Riley Harris is my girlfriend.”

  “That’s fantastic news.” Tucker’s face broke out into a broad smile as he gave Will another slap on the back. “When did this happen and why didn’t you say something sooner?”

  Both very good questions and if only Will wasn’t still feeling jet lagged he was sure he could answer them. Tucker folded his arms, as if to let him know that he expected an answer.

  “Well, it’s quite new and we didn’t want to take away from your big day,” Will improvised and Tucker immediately broke into a smile.

  “You idiot. You should’ve said something. Oh and damn. That means I owe Danni twenty bucks.”

  “Excuse me?” Will was starting to feel like the conversation was getting a little away from him.

  “When I was telling her all about you Riley’s name came up quite a few times. Like when she dyed her hair blue because she had been roped into playing some kind of character at the library. And when the two of you both fell asleep at the cinema and woke up only to discover you’d been locked in. She immediately announced that you must be in love,” Tucker announced, with a look of pride in his eyes. “Damn, but she’s good.”

  Actually she was insane, Will wanted to retort. He hadn’t met his soon-to-be-sister-in-law yet nor did he have anything against her, but the idea that he was in love with Riley was ridiculous. And yeah, sure he’d just told his brother that they were dating, it didn’t mean that they actually were. More to the point, even if he did want to date anyone, Riley would be the last choice. Not because she wasn’t gorgeous and smart and funny and a hundred other things, but because she wanted a boyfriend about as much as he wanted a girlfriend. In fact she’d probably take a frontal lobotomy rather than date anyone.

  None of which he could tell his brother.

  Not unless he wanted to be set up with every bridesmaid at the wedding. And right now, he needed all his focus to be on his business, not on avoiding Cupid’s arrow. It wasn’t as if they would have to keep up the charade for long and he was sure that Riley wouldn’t mind since she’d already agreed to go to the wedding with him. In fact, considering how anti-weddings she was, this extra distraction might take her mind off the fact. However, before he could think of a suitable reply there was a knock at the door, and a moment later Riley poked her head in.

  As was her normal morning ritual, her long red hair was in two braids and her glasses were lopsided thanks to her habit of reading in bed before she got up in the mornings.

  “Will. I figured that you wouldn’t have had time to get to the store, so I brought you up some milk and . . . oh, hey, Tucker. I didn’t see you there. Congratulations on the upcoming wedding.”

  “Thanks, Riley. And congratulations right back at you.” Tucker stood up and scooped her into a bear hug. Will winced and tried to catch Riley’s eye to mentally inform her of the situation. It didn’t work.

  “Um, okay.” Riley wrinkled her nose. “So, that was different. Anyway, I’ll just put away the milk, coffee and bread and leave you two guys to catch up.”

  “You don’t need to go on my account,” Tucker assured her before giving her a broad wink. Will let out a silent groan. And to think that this was all a mess of his own making. “I’ve got to get to the office but I’ll look forward to seeing you tonight and hearing more about how it happened.”

  “Tonight? How it happened?” Riley took off her glasses and rubbed the lenses as if that would somehow help her understand what Tucker was saying. “I’m not sure I follow. I thought that the wedding was on Saturday.”

  “It sure is. But now that Will’s told me the big news about you two dating, you have to come out to dinner tonight with the rest of the wedding party. I absolutely insist. Danni’s going to love you.”

  “Will?” Riley turned to him. Now that her glasses were off, her dark eyes looked enormous and full of confusion. Not that he could blame her, since there was never a good time to discover that you had a new fake boyfriend, but he knew from experience that until Riley had her second cup of coffee she was prone to saying the first thing that came into her mind. Which meant he could either end up with an even more complicated conversation with Tucker or he could just stop Riley from talking.

&nbs
p; Plan B it was and so before she could open her mouth, Will purposefully wove his way through the various potted plants until he reached her. Up close he realized that her eyes were more like chocolate with small flecks of black running through them and that on the tip of her nose was a tiny freckle that he’d never seen before. He lowered his mouth and Riley let out a little squeal of surprise but it was soon silenced as he brought his lips crashing down onto hers.

  Will only planned to give her a small peck, just to keep her quiet until Tucker had left and he could explain the situation. But instead, Riley’s mouth instinctively opened up to his sending waves of swirling energy darting through him. The kiss deepened and Riley’s body pressed into his, causing Will to wrap his arms around her shoulders, just like he had so many times before. But instead of just giving her a quick hug, his arms lingered and he pulled her closer. The familiar smell of Riley-ness flooded his senses. It was one of vanilla and sweetness, and—

  “Okay, you two. I thought I was the one meant to be doing that kind of thing,” Tucker’s voice called out from somewhere far away. “Anyway, I’ll see you both tonight. And Will, get a haircut.”

  “S-sure.” Will gulped as he reluctantly pulled away from Riley and realized that getting a haircut was the least of his problems. First he was going to have to explain to his best friend that she’d just been upgraded to his girlfriend. And judging by the stunned expression in her eyes, he had a feeling that she wasn’t going to be too thrilled about it.

  Amanda Ashby is the author of You Had Me at Halo, which was a Romantic Times Top Pick and was nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award.

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