It seemed like every time she turned around, there he was. At the bar, and now at her parents’ house. What was it going to take to get rid of this guy? It was bad enough he haunted her fantasies. Did he have to stalk her reality, too?
Of course, since everyone was paired up, and Nathan had such a fierce case of hero worship of Mick that he had to sit next to him, Tyler ended up being seated next to her. The physical attraction she felt for him was intense. She tried to focus on her food, but she had damn good peripheral vision, which meant even glancing at her plate meant she could see his hands—strong and large, with dark hairs that crept up his wrists. He’d pushed the sleeves of his Henley up so she couldn’t help but notice his muscled forearms. So instead, she focused on her lap, which meant she’d occasionally steal glances at his thighs, and then her gaze would travel inward toward his—
Stop. She would not stare at his lap, would not imagine him pushing his chair back so she could climb on and rock against him.
For God’s sake. She was in her parents’ dining room. She would not have sexual fantasies about Ty.
Her cheeks burned with the visual and her head shot up, expecting to find her entire family staring at her.
They weren’t. They were engaged in conversation, everyone ignoring her.
Everyone except Ty, of course, who glanced her way with a knowing quirk of his lips.
Bastard.
Maybe she should just have sex with him, get him out of her system, and then she’d never have to think about him again.
“Jenna.”
Grateful for the distraction, she looked to Tara. “Yes?”
“We have dress fittings on Tuesday night at seven. Can you make it?”
She relaxed and smiled at her soon-to-be sister-in-law. “Wouldn’t miss it. I’ve already got coverage at the bar that night, so I’m free for the evening.”
Tara wiggled in her seat. “I know I shouldn’t be this giddy, but with the wedding under two weeks away, I can’t help it.”
“We’re all excited,” Jenna’s mother said. “It’ll be here before you know it.”
Then Tara did the unthinkable. “Tyler, will you be available to come to the wedding?”
No. Please say no. Maybe he’d have a game.
“What’s the date?”
She told him and he paused, mentally calculating the date. “That’s a Friday. There’s no game that night, so yeah, I’m free.”
Tara’s eyes sparkled. “We’d love to have you come to the wedding. I know it’s last minute, but if you’re available, please say you’ll be there.”
“I don’t want to intrude.”
Jenna bit her lip.
“Don’t be silly. It’s not an intrusion. You’re friends with Gavin and Mick, and Gavin says you don’t have family here. Mick and I would love to have you at our wedding.”
Mick cast a grin at Jenna before turning his gaze back to Tyler. “Sure. Come to the wedding. It’s going to be a great party.”
“Thanks. I’d love to come.”
Jenna had a feeling she’d just been set up. By her entire family.
FOUR
ON TUESDAY SHE MET TARA AND ELIZABETH AT THE bridal shop, along with Maggie, one of Tara’s best friends from her event planning business, who had flown in to spend the final week and a half with Tara before the wedding. Maggie had taken over the event planning business from Tara in San Francisco.
Maggie was Tara’s maid of honor. Liz and Jenna were bridesmaids, and they were all enjoying the final dress fitting before the big day.
“I have to say you’re being pretty cool about all this,” Elizabeth said as she watched Tara being fitted for her dress. “I’m going to be a freakin’ wreck when it’s my turn.”
Tara smiled as the bridal shop seamstresses put the finishing touches on what Jenna thought was a breathtaking gown.
“I love Mick, and I’m getting my happily ever after. Everything else is just icing on the cake. Besides, I’m an event planner. It’s in my nature to stay calm under pressure.”
Maggie snorted.
“What?”
“Just wait until it’s the day. We’ve done weddings. You know how even the calmest of brides gets. I’m going to be prepared for anything, just in case, but I think you’re a simmering volcano waiting to erupt.”
Tara lifted her chin. “I am not going to erupt. My emotions are under control.”
Liz looked at Jenna, who shrugged. “No clue. Never been married.”
“Well, I’ll tell you. I have several months to go before my wedding and I already need Valium.” Liz glanced over at Tara and Maggie. “Don’t look to me to help calm your nerves. I plan to have a bottle of Patrón in my purse that day.”
Jenna laughed. “Glad it’s you all and not me.”
“Don’t you laugh over there,” Tara said. “Your day will come.”
“Are you kidding? I’m not even dating anyone.”
“That’s not what Ty said.”
Her gaze turned to Liz. “What did he say?”