“Because he doesn’t like you,” Cora says with a sigh.
Not wanting to get into the topic of her brother just yet, I say, “Yeah, something like that. But, uh, Keiko asked me an interesting question today.”
Cora pauses midbite with a pile of mashed potatoes and broccoli on the tines of her fork, and her eyes flash to mine. “Oh my God, was it sexual?”
“I feared the same thing. I was mentally preparing myself to be asked into a threesome with her and Kelvin.”
Cora slaps the table. “That was my first thought too. Is that what she asked?”
“No.” I shake my head. “Thankfully it was nothing to do with her sexual adventures.”
“What was it?”
“She asked me to be her man of honor.”
Cora’s face falls flat, her brows drooping as her mouth thins out. “Excuse me? She did what?”
Confused by her reaction, I say, “Uh, she asked me to be her man of honor, you know, like a maid of honor—”
“Oh, I know what it is.” Cora holds up her hand. “I’m just confused why she’d ask you? When you aren’t even part of the Ladies in Heat book club.”
“The what?”
“Are you even reading about mucus plugs?” Cora points to her chest. “Because I am, and I would rather stick my head in a toilet, but I’m reading it because she asked me to, and you come waltzing in with a smile and you’re the one she asks?”
“Huh?” I ask, confused. “Did you want to be her maid of honor?”
“I mean, it wouldn’t hurt to be considered.”
“Maybe you were. You know Keiko. She might have a list of pros and cons about who to ask. Maybe I was the easy ask.”
“The easy ask?” She sets down her fork. “Or maybe you’re the arm candy she wants next to her. I see her little game.” Cora stands from the table.
“What are you doing?”
“Getting to the bottom of this.” She retrieves her mobile from the nightstand and sits back down.
“Don’t bother her.”
Cora’s eyes flash to mine. “Hold on a second . . .” She studies me. “Are you—are you excited about the prospect of being the man of honor?”
“No. She has some ridiculous outfit she wants me to wear. I haven’t seen it, but the words she used to describe it didn’t reassure me.”
Cora crosses one silky, long leg over the other and leans her elbow on the table as she stares me down. With a poke of her finger to my arm, she says, “I believe you’re positively thrilled about the idea of being her man of honor. Actually, brimming with excitement.”
I point to my face. “You think this is brimming with excitement?”
“I think you’re putting on a show.”
I roll my eyes, exasperated with the conversation, but when I see Cora start to text, I yank the mobile from her hand.
“What are you doing?” she asks.
“Don’t text her. I’m sure she’s overwhelmed. She doesn’t need you making her feel bad about a decision I’m sure she spent some time making.”
“Uh . . . she took the weekend to figure it out. That’s not a long time in Keiko’s world. Might as well have been five minutes.”
“Either way, she made her decision, and I think we all need to live with it.”
Cora’s face lights up with humor. “Oh my God, you are excited about this. You truly want to be her man of honor.” She crosses her arms over her chest, leaning back in her chair, the joy on her face more of a sarcastic jab than anything.
“I really don’t.”
“Liar.” She chuckles.
“Whatever, Cora.”
That only makes her laugh even more. “Look at you getting all upset. Well, well, well, looks like Pike Greyson doesn’t like to be teased.”
“Keep it up. That arsehole might show up again.”
“You’re acting like that’s a threat. Except, it’s a turn-on.” She picks up her fork and digs into her dinner, far too happy with herself.
I should be irritated, but I can’t find it within me to care, because I’m being teased by Cora and I fucking like it.
Chapter Eighteen
CORA
“Is everyone accounted for?” Keiko asks, pen poised on her notepad.
I sigh. “Keeks, you go through this every time. When are you going to let up on the formality?”
“I don’t see how taking attendance at a scheduled meeting is a formality. It’s merely an exercise to assess if all persons are present.”