Seducing the Bridesmaid (Wedding Dare, #3)(35)
“Do that.”
“Good talking to you.” He turned on his heel and walked away, not caring if he looked like an ass while doing it.
Though he wanted to talk to Regan, he moved away from her, too. What the hell could he say, anyway? Everything had already been said. She wanted Logan. She might have fun with Brock, but that’s all it was.
Disgusted with himself for chasing a woman who so blatantly didn’t want to be caught, he brushed past Reed and Colton and left the room. They’d do just fine without him, and he wasn’t good company right now anyway.
What he needed was some peace and quiet to get his head on straight.
Chapter Fourteen
Brock knew camping out in his room tonight of all nights meant he failed as a best friend. But he couldn’t deal with seeing Regan cozy up to Logan, no matter the cause. It was just another reminder of the ways he didn’t measure up, and he wasn’t in the mood to have it rubbed in his face.
What was he saying? Christ, he sounded like a spoiled little brat, throwing a fit because some kid had taken his toys. Hadn’t he learned a long time ago that anything worth having was worth fighting for? And what was Regan, if not something worth having?
What had started out as a challenge had turned into something else altogether. She challenged him, and made him want to live up to being a better man. He loved bantering with her and seeing glimpses of the woman beneath the fearless mask she wore. She was beautiful and engaging and he refused to roll over and play dead so she could keep chasing a man who wouldn’t make her happy.
Not like Brock would.
He picked up his phone, thumbing through the contacts until he found Colton. He’d have Regan’s number—or would be with Kady, who would. It was time to put a stop to all the circling and games and man up. As his finger hovered over the send button, someone banged on his door.
Shit. It was probably Reed or Julie or someone from the wedding party sent to bring him back downstairs. He pulled a shirt on, working on what excuse he’d make to avoid leaving the room. Saying he had a headache was weak, but it was the best he’d come up with by the time he opened the door…to the last person he expected to find. This time she didn’t barrel into his room. In fact, Regan looked downright uncomfortable. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
She held up the six-pack with a sheepish smile. “I brought a peace offering.”
The surprises just kept on coming. If he’d been a betting man, he would have laid money on her still chatting up Logan downstairs without so much as a thought for him. Brock had never been so happy to be wrong.
He stepped back and let her walk into the room, using the opportunity to drink her in. She wore the same blue dress from the rehearsal, and it wound around her in a way that made him think it would be a whole hell of a lot of fun to unwrap, along with the same pink shoes she’d had on the first night they were together. Regan took a deep breath that made her breasts strain against her dress. “I’m sorry.”
Surprise number three. He crossed his arms over his chest, buying himself a moment to recover from the shock of hearing those two little words coming out of her mouth. “Sorry for what?”
“I haven’t exactly given you an easy time of it. I saw the surface and decided that was all there was to you, and that mistake is on me. Also, for using you to get Logan’s attention.” She shifted from side to side. “And I’m only a little sorry for doing some digging on you.”
She never did anything halfway. That was for damn sure. He fought down the smile threatening as the truth hit him. She was here, with him. Not Logan. Not some other CEO type. Brock. “You’re only a little sorry?”
“I wouldn’t do anything different, but…I might have been kind of an ass about it.” She lifted the beer again. “So, like I said, peace offering if you’re willing to accept it. Colton said you like this shit.”
There was the Regan he knew and had come to depend on seeing. He was so goddamn glad she was here. Brock finally let his smile break through. “Can’t call a classic ‘shit.’ It’s not done.”
“I can and I will. But it’s totally up to you if you enjoy drinking beer out of a can.” She shuddered.
He moved to his bed and patted the spot next to him. “So I take this to mean you’re not going to run away again.” Into Logan’s arms. It was almost too good to believe it was true. He kept expecting her to tense up, throw herself at him, and flee again.
“I prefer the term tactical retreat.”
“I reckon you do.” He grinned as she sank down next to him. “Now that we’ve got that out of the way… Want a beer? This gorgeous woman just brought me some in one of the best apology gifts I’ve ever gotten.” One of the only apology gifts he’d ever gotten.
“Sure.” She gave him a surprisingly tentative smile. “I could go for a beer.”
He opened two cans and handed her one, and then they just sat there, staring at each other. In the short time he’d known her, there hadn’t been anything about their interactions that was awkward, but now that they both seemed to recognize this peace between them, he didn’t know what the hell to say that wouldn’t damage it. All he had to do was remind himself that she was sitting next to him, so obviously she must prefer him. Right?