Pure Wicked (Wicked Lovers #9.5)(13)
Author: Shayla Black

“Thanks for not bailing.”

He scoffed comically. “I’m your boyfriend for the night. What kind of asshole would that make me to dump you in the middle of a party?”

“Someone more similar to Hayden than I’d like.”

He laughed. “Not the image I’m going for.”

As they reached the gathering, Presleigh was still clinging to Hayden as if he was her sun and moon. He flashed a smile down at her, as if he wanted everyone to know that he was enamored with his bride-to-be. Bristol had once seen that expression directed at her, and she wondered what her younger sister would do if someone new caught his eye.

Presleigh spotted her and smiled. “Thank you, everyone, for coming. Invitations are in the mail, but Bristol also made delicious cookies and frosted them with our wedding date. She’s so clever.” Her sister sent her an earnest expression. “In fact, she’s one of the most important people in my life. Bris, I’m hoping you’ll be my maid of honor.”

Bristol felt her eyes widen and tried to keep the horror off her face. Wasn’t it enough that she’d given Presleigh her man and baked her engagement cookies? Now she had to stand next to her sister as she married the man who had once been hers?

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Jamie muttered under his breath.

“I thought you wanted me to bake your cake.” Bristol didn’t know what else to say.

“I do,” Presleigh assured with an excited shake of her head. “But you’ve always stood next to me in childhood. I want you to stand beside me as I become a wife.”

“It would mean a lot to both of us,” Hayden added.

Was this really happening? “Didn’t you already ask your friend Shea?”

“Yeah, but she and Corey”—she pointed at Hayden’s friend—“had that ugly breakup. Now they won’t even speak two words to each other. I finally decided that it was fate telling me that you should be the one to stand beside me. Mama is going to walk me down the aisle since Daddy isn’t here. Please… It will be perfect.”

What a lovely piece of emotional blackmail, wheedling in front of almost everyone she knew so that she’d look like a bitch if she refused. Never mind that she was apparently second choice. “Um…”

“I’ve already picked out a dress and ordered it. It will fit perfectly and look fantastic. Please…”

It would probably look awful since she and Presleigh had polar opposite tastes. Bristol took a deep breath. It didn’t matter. As Daddy had always said, family was family—and they came first. As much as she didn’t want to do this, Bristol also didn’t want to start a family feud over her pride.

“All right. I’ll do it.”

Jamie scoffed beside her. Yeah, she would have liked a graceful way out of this mess, too. But this commitment would last one day, over and done. Then she would step back and let Hayden and her sister live their lives.

“Thanks, Bris.” Presleigh looked as if she was going to tear up. “It means so much to me.”

Bristol smiled and tried to make it look genuine. “You’re welcome. On that note, the cookies are in the storage container in front of you if you’d like to pass them out.”

“They’re your cookies. Don’t you want to?” Her sister looked confused.

Her ego could pass up the stroke of hearing the cookies were pretty. A sugary shortbread topped with white icing and black piping to draw the June calendar, the treats had come out well.

“I’m good.” Bristol shook her head. “Jamie and I are going now.”

If he seemed surprised by her proclamation, he didn’t show it.

When her mother scowled in disapproval, Jamie acted as if her sour expression didn’t exist. “She promised to spend some time with me since we’re still getting to know one another.” He reached across the table and snagged a cookie out of the red plastic container. “Nice to meet you all.”

With that, he grabbed her purse from the table and led her out of the restaurant, taking a big bite of the pastry as they hit the door. Just outside, he stopped completely and moaned. “Oh, my god. Are you kidding me? This is a foodgasm. Amazing.”

She grinned up at him. “Did you doubt me?”

“If I ever did, I won’t do it again.” He moaned once more. “I understand why Jayla manipulated you for cookies. I may have to learn strategy from her.”

He wouldn’t be around that long since she only did temporary relationships now, but that was all right. He could flirt all he wanted. “How about an ooey-gooey cinnamon roll? They’re what I’m known for. I’ll make you a pan…” She took a deep breath. “If you’re still with me come morning.”