Tell Me You Crave Me (Search and Seduce #3)(46)

More than that, though, she was happy to see him. Not annoyed. Not nervous. Just happy. She thought of how he’d hugged her last night and wondered if she could get another one of those tonight, depending on the way this cryptic conversation of her brother’s was about to go.

“Hey, there’s my best man,” Matt called. East headed over.

“Hope I’m not interrupting?” he asked before taking a seat next to Matt. Not next to her. Not that she could blame him. It was just a bar stool, right? And they were a secret. Or maybe they weren’t even that.

“Nope. I just have to chat with Nat real quick, but it’s nothing you can’t hear. You’re family.”

Something in East’s gaze sparked at that word, and a flash of pain crossed his face. Then he gave a tight smile.

“So, Sis, I know Mom has this whole thing about you having a date tomorrow night. And you’re right, I know how she can be, so I wanted to check in with you and see how you’re doing on that?”

Natalie blinked a few times. “Are you asking how that makes me feel, or asking if I have a date?”

Matt blushed, and he looked embarrassed. “Both, I guess. You know I care about you. But, uh, do you have a date? A prospect at least? I just want Mom off your back because she can be tough to handle.”

“And you know that’s an understatement,” she said and took a sip of her beer.

“So…” Matt pushed, and East glanced at Natalie as if awaiting her answer as well.

There was something in his eyes that she couldn’t deny. Not tonight. She might have denied it last night when he’d hugged her like he cared. Or the few nights ago when he’d made love to her like he’d cared, and spoken to her like he’d cared.

Maybe because he does care.

Once again, East was looking at her and she felt seen. And in that moment, it was clear.

“There is someone I like that I’d go to the wedding with,” she said, looking directly at East. His mouth dropped a little, and she nodded in reassurance.

Yep, I’m looking at you, tough guy.

She returned her gaze to Matt. “But it’s complicated.”

“You like him?” Matt asked. As if it were that simple.

“Yes.”

“Then just go with him. At this point, Natalie, I don’t want to deal with Mom when I’m trying to get married. You like the guy, take him, call it good.”

“Again, not that simple, Matt.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t know if he wants to go with me.”

“Then he’s an idiot,” East said, and her eyes snapped to his.

“You think so?” she asked.

He nodded. “Absolutely.”

She smiled, but Matt was still on his line of questioning, and no matter how they went about this, it was still a delicate matter. She couldn’t blurt out everything now, but the way East was looking at her, she knew he was on her team, and somehow, this would work. They’d make it work.

“Great,” Matt agreed, still obviously thinking they were talking about some mystery man. “Then ask him, bring him, and all is well, and I can get married, and we can both take a break from dealing with Mom.”

She nodded. “Okay. I just may do that.” She took one more sip and glanced at East, then at her brother. “I’ve got to get going. Big day of baking tomorrow before the rehearsal.”

“Love ya, sis,” Matt said.

Natalie caught East’s eyes as she slid off the stool. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She made sure her voice spoke the promise she felt.

He nodded. It was funny—they both were on the same page and still in their secret world at the same time. But she was confident that tomorrow night, she’d finally go after the one man that made her feel like more. And deep down, she hoped that he’d help her work out the details.

“See you tomorrow,” he confirmed.



“Thanks again for all your help,” Matt said to East.

East watched Natalie walk out. His heart was thumping in his chest, but he felt strangely calm. This was going to happen. Everything was going to hit the fan tomorrow night, but he and Natalie, together, were going to come out of the closet.

And he was excited and terrified. Because the thought of her leaving or hurting was too much. He loved Matt and the St. Clairs, but he loved Natalie, too. Only that love was shifting.

A hollow ache pulsed in his chest. He was, and had been, violating Matt’s trust this whole time. He’d like to think it was for Natalie, so that he could be with her, but in the end, he felt awful about lying to his best friend.

“Happy to help,” East said. “You’re my best friend, Matt.”

His buddy looked at him and elbowed his arm. “I know. And you’re mine. You getting sappy on me?”

“Something in the air, I guess.”

“I guess. With the way Natalie was just talking, I’m hoping this guy she likes isn’t a total *.”

East glanced away. “You talk like she can’t make up her own mind. She’s not a kid anymore, you know.”

Matt gave him a look he couldn’t quite place. “It’s not that. She’s just…vulnerable. You know that. Falling for the wrong guy? He wouldn’t just break her heart. He’d break her completely.”