Perfectly Wedded (Perfect Crush #1)

3. Sloan

THREE

Sloan

I let those words sink in... and then I panic. Vale is pretending to be my boyfriend? How am I supposed to keep it together when just looking at him does funny things to me?

Anthony saunters to our table while I decide whether to cry or throw up or launch myself onto Vale’s lap.

“If it isn’t Sloan Summers, the comeback kid,” Anthony says with his usual thick Southern drawl. This might sound like a compliment, but coming from Anthony, it’s meant as a childish jab.

“Hello, Anthony,” I deadpan. “Did you come to show off your new girlfriend, or do you just enjoy being a nuisance?”

Anthony laughs that stupid chuckle of his. “I’m glad to see you still have your sense of humor.”

Another jab . As if my brain injury has taken away everything else. “Yes, I still have my humor, the one thing I conveniently kept after my accident. Unfortunately, I lost the filter over my mouth, so you might want to leave before I accidentally blurt out what I think about you.”

Anthony’s smile freezes. For a second, he looks nervous.

From his barstool, Vale loops his arm around my waist. My whole body zings in response, and I struggle to keep my expression neutral. My heart’s knocking against my rib cage, but I can’t let him know that. I’m supposed to look like this is completely normal —like his touch doesn’t affect me at all.

Vale shoots me a proud smile. “That’s my girl.”

My girl. I love how those two words make me feel like I’m all his. But I can’t get used to Vale treating me this way. Not when it’s only an act for tonight.

Anthony motions toward his girlfriend. “Have you met Demetria yet?” The raven-haired beauty sidles up to him in a black dress so tight, it might as well be a second skin. With her green eyes, she looks like a feral cat.

“Yes, I know the woman you cheated on me with,” I say with a tight smile.

Anthony clears his throat.

Vale stands, easily towering over my ex. “I’m Vale MacPherson.”

“You look familiar,” Anthony says, studying Vale, before shaking his hand.

“He’s a hockey player,” I gush, turning toward Anthony with a smug grin. “A media darling. Women line up for him.” I throw an exaggerated smile Vale’s way, making it seem like I’m wildly in love. His hand tightens at my waist, pulling me closer, and I lean into him, maybe a little too eagerly.

“There’s only one woman I care about.” Vale’s eyes cut slowly to mine. “Guess that’s what happens when you’re in love.”

I nearly choke on my drink. Love? Like that wouldn’t totally ruin our friendship.

Anthony clears his throat. “You’re dating?”

“We are,” Vale says, his thumb making slow circles on the curve of my waist, driving me crazy.

“She didn’t force you to attend tonight?”

“Force? Um, no. Have you seen how hot she is?” Vale’s eyes trail down my body, leaving scorch marks in their tracks. Even though I know it’s all for Anthony’s sake, my skin is burning up. Vale pulls me into his chest so that my back is pressed into his granite-cut abs, and my sad sap of a heart rockets against my ribs. “We’re celebrating tonight.”

“No better place to celebrate than Vegas,” Anthony says. “What’s the occasion?”

Vale’s fingers brush my waist—torturously slow, like he knows exactly what he’s doing to me. “We’re celebrating her full recovery... a weekend away for us .” This might be for Anthony’s benefit, but it’s working so well, my heart feels like it could launch me to the moon.

Vale stares down Anthony as he circles his thumb along my waist. “Do you remember when she was laid up for months? Oh wait, you wouldn’t remember, because you were gone .”

I have to bite my cheek to keep from laughing—and inwardly, I’m pumping both fists. Gutsy move, insulting my ex.

Irritation flickers across Anthony’s face before he straightens his shoulders. “Have you heard our good news?”

“That Demetria won her last competition?” I grab my water, trying to hide my disgust over the fact that he’s her coach, even though it’s unprofessional for coaches to date their clients.

“No,” Anthony says. “Demetria and I just got engaged.”

For a moment, my knees go weak, like I’ve been gut-punched. Engaged?

When we were together, Anthony always told me he would be a bachelor for life, even though I stupidly thought that I could change his mind. I’m not in love with Anthony, and I don’t want him back. But it’s still devastating.

Vale gently pulls me closer, as if to remind me he’s here. “How coincidental,” he says, filling in the awkward silence. “Because we also have news.”

My face snaps toward Vale. Is he referring to my health relapse or that I’m back to working at my underpaid coaching gig? Because both of those pale in comparison to Anthony’s announcement. “Uh, Vale, we don’t have any news.”

He gives me a confident smirk, and I know he’ s up to something. “We don’t have to hide it, sweetie. Everyone’s going to find out eventually.”

Sweetie? I almost bust out laughing. Vale has never called anyone sweetie before or any other pet name.

“Find out what?” Anthony asks, looking from Vale to me. I sip my water and avoid Demetria’s glare.

Vale spins toward Anthony. “Sloan and I are engaged too,” he announces as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

The words hit like a bomb, and I choke on my drink, spraying it everywhere, while trying to smile and nod like this isn’t a total shock.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I stammer, fumbling for my napkin, and offering it to Demetria to wipe away the mess. There’s no way I’m going to touch the cleavage real estate falling out of that dress. It’s like an entire state.

“My fiancée gets choked up whenever I tell people,” Vale remarks, patting me on the back. “It’s just so emotional for her. Isn’t it, sweet cheeks ?” He tweaks my face, and I give him a glare that warns him to never call me that again.

“Of course, my little Fruit Loop, ” I say sweetly.

Vale lifts an eyebrow. That’s the best you could come up with?

“I didn’t even know you were dating anyone,” Anthony says.

“Well, it just happened so fast ,” I say, thinking on my feet. “And we really aren’t telling people yet.” I hide my left hand behind Vale’s back since my ringless finger would be a dead giveaway.

“I see,” Anthony says, studying me. “Well, if you’ll excuse us, we have more people to talk to tonight.” He saunters off, Demetria tagging behind.

Now that the show is over, I step away from Vale, even though I liked his hands all over me. I hold up my fist for a quick bump, just to make it clear we’re back in the friend zone. No harm done. Just over here scrubbing that memory from my mind! “That. Was. Perfection. ”

Vale hesitates for a second, his brows knitting together before his fist meets mine. “Whatever it takes, right?”

“Thank you, Vale—my adorable Lucky Charm ,” I add, pinching his cheek, just like he did to me earlier.

Vale grimaces. “Are you going to keep calling me cereal names?”

I laugh. “You don’t like them?”

“Couldn’t you call me stud-muffin? Or hot stuff?”

I laugh. “ Please , those are so basic. You deserve something with more flair.”

He shrugs. “I’m kind of a basic guy.”

“Not to me,” I say, shaking my head. “And definitely not with those abs.”

Vale smirks. “You noticed my abs, huh?”

“Um, hello? It’s hard not to notice when they’re practically begging for attention.” I say. “I might need to splash some cold water on my neck after that. Could you hang out here for a minute while I head to the restroom?”

“Sure, but if I find any leftover cheesecake, I’m not sharing.”

“You better leave some of that cheesecake for me,” I say, glancing back at him with a smile. As I head toward the ladies’ room, a few women make eye contact with me.

“Congratulations on the news,” one woman says.

“Oh?” I wonder if she has me confused for someone else.

“Your future husband is gorgeous,” she adds with a sheepish smile.

“He’s not...” Then I stop myself. That’s when I realize why she’s congratulating me. I quickly text Vale from the ladies’ room.

Sloan

Word about our engagement has leaked, Cap’n Crunch.

Vale

I just had a woman tell me she’s sad I’m no longer “on the market.” Like this is a meat market and I’m a side of beef.

Sloan

You are pretty smokin’ hot.

Vale

That’s Cap’n Hottie Pants to you.

I feel a zip of nervousness spider down me. How am I going to face everyone now that they think I’m engaged to Vale? For hockey fans, Vale is a freaking rock star. Not only is he a highly regarded public figure, but a sex symbol. Nobody’s going to believe we’re engaged.

When I return to the gala, I spot Vale across the room, talking to a beautiful woman I’ve never seen before. Other ladies walk by him and openly stare, and it’s no wonder. Even in his tux he gives off smoldering vibes, with his beard and dark hair grazing his collar.

I watch from behind the chocolate fountain, my eyes locked on Vale. I hate the twist of jealousy inside me. He’s not even mine. But as I watch her hand brush his arm, I can’t help the knot forming in my stomach.

Vale wheels around, then strides over. “Were you standing there the whole time?”

“Watching you talk to that gorgeous woman? Yes,” I admit. It kills me that I’m even feeling jealous right now. I know he’s just faking his attraction to me tonight, but I want Vale all to myself.

“She doesn’t hold a candle to you,” he murmurs, making something spiral inside me. Then he cuts into a piece of cinnamon creme br?lée and holds up his fork for me. “Try this. It’ll make you feel better.”

He watches as I nearly melt from how good it is. “Are you using dessert to distract me?” I say, lifting a brow .

“Is it working?”

“Like a charm. But I’m still not letting you off the hook.”

Vale offers me another bite and seems amused by how much I like it. “You think I’d ever want someone like her? Then you really don’t know me.”

I stop, mid-bite. “You’re just saying that.” That’s the thing about Vale. He’s always thinking of how he can cheer me up.

He holds up his fork. “I only speak the truth, my little Cinnamon Toast Crunch .”

I laugh. “Only you could make a cereal sound remotely sexy.”

“It’s one of my many talents—besides playing a role in your Kevin Costner fantasy.”

The music kicks up as couples flood the dance floor. Vale holds out his hand, and my pulse speeds up.

“Since we’re supposed to be practically falling all over each other, would you care to dance with me?” he asks.

Is this a good idea? Probably not. But right now, my decision-making skills are on vacation—somewhere far, far away. I nod and he intertwines his fingers with mine while I try to ignore the way my skin tingles.

My goodness, his hands are massively huge . How will any other man’s hands compare now that I’ve touched Vale’s?

He pulls me close on the dance floor, and it’s everything I can do to keep up the act. We move in sync, his body warm and solid against mine, and for a moment, I forget we’re pretending—everything about this feels too natural, too right. When the song ends, I step backward, feeling the tension rise between us, unsure of where to put my hands or what to say. Without missing a beat, Vale takes my hand, his thumb brushing over mine.

Vale strides confidently across the room, completely unfazed by the attention he’s getting tonight. He’s used to charming the socks off people, and he easily slips into the role of becoming my hype team as we make our way through the crush of people.

“Have you met my beautiful fiancée, Sloan?” he says to a stranger. The pride in his voice almost sounds believable. “She’s the best college skating coach in the country.”

I whisper under my breath. “ Vale. You’re embarrassing me.”

“What? It’s true,” he whispers with that smile that makes me wish this night would never end. Vale’s completely lovely and charming, and he’s already perfected the role of playing my fiancé.

“What do you want to do after this?” he asks, handing me a glass of water.

“I’ll probably head to bed,” I say, taking a sip, cooling the heat in my body.

Vale’s smile drops. “You’re in the city that never sleeps, and you’re planning to go to bed?”

“What’s wrong with that?” I shrug. “I’m normally in my pajamas by this time, like an eighty-year-old lady.”

He frowns, while holding back a smirk. “At your age, you should definitely stay out until at least midnight.”

“I don’t even know if I remember how to have fun.”

“Then it’s settled,” he says, taking my cup and setting it down. “Tonight, you’re going to see the real Vegas with me. And I guarantee to give you the time of your life.”