Shaken Not Stirred (Mixology #1)(29)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“I wish I had some then.” I don’t know why he brought out such a snide side of me, but the teasing insults rolled off my tongue. Maybe it was my sexual frustration rising to the surface, or spending too much time around Macon. I tended to blame a lot on the later.

“I’m going to let that one go.”

“Sorry. You just make me say things like that.”

“I guess we can twist this and say I bring out your sense of humor.”

“Absolutely.” I shifted in my seat to get comfortable. His hand moved slightly up my dress. He didn’t move. “So what can I expect tonight?” I assumed he’d know I was talking about the rehearsal, but what I really wanted to know about involved our hotel room.

“The rehearsal itself should be pretty short. Dinner should be casual, but it’s going to be big—way more than the wedding party.”

“A lot of your friends from home?”

“And my family.”

“Your family?”

“Yeah. It’s my cousin’s wedding.”

“You never told me that.” My chest clenched slightly as a thought hit me. “Your parents aren’t going to be there, are they?”

“They will be. And unlike yours, they are not under the impression that we’re just friends.”

“Oh. Great.” What the hell had I gotten myself into?

Chapter Eleven

Going as the date of someone in a wedding is never fun. It’s especially bad when you don’t know anyone else. I waited in the pleasant seventy degree weather as Colin went through the rehearsal.

Although technically in the Raleigh area, the wedding was in the countryside. The venue was beautiful, and though the gardens would have been even prettier in the spring, there was something simple and romantic about the carefully manicured grounds. After a few minutes of checking out the gardens, I gratefully found a stone bench to sit on. I’d settled on a pair of two-inch heels that looked cute, but left me begging for flip-flops.

I passed the time by watching the bride. She seemed more terrified than excited, constantly playing with her light brown hair. I hoped when, or if, I got married I’d at least be excited. Fear isn’t a fun emotion.

“Fun night, huh?” A girl sat down on the garden bench next to me. Her reddish-brown hair was pulled up into a bun with several tendrils falling around her face. I wasn’t sure if the tendrils were intentional, but it worked for her. If I hadn’t recognized her, I might have complimented her, but I was in no mood for small talk with the girl I’d seen Colin with at the ice cream shop back at the beach.

“Tons of fun,” I said as politely as possible, returning my gaze to the bride. Hopefully, she’d take the hint. The wedding weekend just got better.

“You’re Maddy, aren’t you?”

I turned to look at her again. “Yeah, how’d you know?”

She smiled so sweetly I felt a little bit of my jealousy slipping away. “My brother said he was bringing you, and you’re the only one here I don’t recognize who fits the description.”

“Brother? You’re Colin’s sister?”

“I’m one of them. Our sister Kim couldn’t make it.”

“So that means you’re Carly?” Relief flooded me. Relief I shouldn’t have felt considering the newness of our relationship.

She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “So he has mentioned me.”

“Yeah, he has.”

“So? How are things with you guys? Colin’s not the most talkative.”

“Oh. They’re going fine.” I left it as vague as possible. Discussing our relationship with his little sister didn’t seem like the best idea. I was also surprised Colin hadn’t mentioned that his sister had been in town. I’d never asked him about the mystery girl, but why blame it all on work?

She sat back again. “Fine? That’s a little disappointing.”

“Things are going well.”

“I know he’s not the most romantic guy ever, but I can tell he’s really into you. He wouldn’t have invited you here if he wasn’t.”

“To be honest, I was surprised he did.” It was often the girl pushing the guy to go to a wedding. Colin seemed intent on having me there though.

Carly moved her tiny lavender purse from her lap to the bench beside her. “I’m not.”

“Why not? You said he doesn’t talk about me much.”

“No. I said he isn’t talkative. You’re a large portion of what he does talk about anymore.”

“We haven’t been dating long.” Talk about an understatement.

“Really?” She pulled out her bun, shaking out her hair. Her long tresses fell down her back perfectly, reminding me of a shampoo commercial.

“Yeah, a few weeks.”

“Oh. He started talking about you when I came to visit for Labor Day.”

“Seriously? We’d only gone on two dates and then he never called me.”

“That’s so Colin.”

“Is he usually hot and cold with girls?”

She didn’t hesitate with her answer. “No. He’s usually cold.”

“You’re not making a great case for him.”

“What?” She appeared legitimately upset at the thought. “What does that have to do with him being a good guy for you?”

“Guys don’t suddenly change. The last thing I want is a guy who gets bored.”

“It’s not that he gets bored, but that he isn’t that into relationships. He’s more concerned with work and life.”

“How is that any different? Any better?”

“Because he never would have invited any of his other girlfriends to something like this.”

“Girlfriend? I don’t think we’re on those terms yet.”

She laughed. “You have a great sense of humor.”

I decided not to correct her. There was no need to make things any more awkward than they already were.

She quickly changed the topic. “Do you want to get out of here? They’re going to be a while, and this is seriously boring.”

I glanced over at Colin. He was laughing and having a good time with his cousin and friends. “Sure, I’m guessing Colin won’t mind.”

“Are you kidding? He’ll be relieved you found something fun to do.” She grabbed my arm, and we walked back through the gardens toward the main hotel. No one seemed to notice our departure.