Free Kiss Me Forever (Bachelors & Bridesmaids #1) by Barbara Freethy

have been picking up the slack."
    "I've never understood the big wedding party. Why does anyone need a dozen bridesmaids and groomsmen to get them down the aisle?"
    "It's a celebratory send-off. And Laurel had to have seven bridesmaids because of a pact we made in college. I told you that we were part of a really tight group of friends. The day before we graduated we all went out together and swore that even if we drifted apart or ended up on opposite sides of the country, we would commit to coming back for each of our weddings, and we wouldn't let any excuses get in the way."
    "That sounds—optimistic," Alex said with a dry smile.
    She nodded. "Our promise didn't even make it two months. Jessica got married in a courthouse wedding with no bridesmaids because she found out she was pregnant. We were all really pissed off at her. But she also got divorced two years later, so after that we decided it was even more important that we keep our promise.
    Laurel is the first to marry with all of us in the wedding, and I can't wait. Some of us live in the Bay Area, but it's been a long time since we were all together."
    "You're lucky to have a close family and good friends."
    "I am," she agreed. "And once again I am doing all the talking. We're going to have to switch that up sometime."
    "Well, not right this second. We should get on the road."
    "There's always a time issue when it's your turn to speak."
    He shrugged. "We'll have to manage the clock a bit better."
    "Oh, I think you're managing it quite well," she said dryly.
    He gave her a smile. "There will be time for us to talk later."
    "I hope you're right."

Chapter Six
     
    While there was plenty of food at the party, there was absolutely no chance for them to speak privately. Andrea sipped her champagne and gazed around the crowded party, which was being held in a private dining room on the fiftieth floor of the Sterling Hotel. Floor to ceiling windows offered magnificent sweeping views of the city and the bay, and as with their dinner the previous night, the food was first class.
    Alex was in the middle of a crowd of people, who seemed to hover intently on his every word. She knew it wasn't just his money and power that called them over, it was also his charisma. When he was in the room, everyone knew it. He was a magnet, and she could feel the pull from across the room. She had a feeling that even if he'd still been dirt poor, he would have been the center of attention.
    She finished her champagne, set the glass down on an empty tray and moved towards him. It was about time she reminded Alex that she was there, too. When she reached the group surrounding him, she squeezed to the front of the circle, managing to dislodge a clingy redhead from his side.
    She put a hand on Alex's arm and stood on tiptoe to whisper in his ear, "I'm back."
    Alex didn't acknowledge the comment, but a small smile played across his lips. She moved a little farther forward, so she could see exactly who he was talking to. The crowd shifted at her movement, and suddenly she was face-to-face with a man she had hoped she would never see again, her ex-boyfriend, Douglas Wilmington.
    She blinked in shock, hoping the horrible image would disappear, but Doug was gazing back at her with his perfect white teeth, his sky blue eyes, and his sun-streaked blond hair, and her stomach took a nosedive. She grabbed on to Alex's arm as if he were a buoy and she was about to drown.
    "Andrea?" Doug said her name with surprise.
    Of course he would be surprised to see her here. This kind of party was his world, not hers. "Hello, Doug," she managed to get out.
    "You two know each other?" Alex asked.
    Andrea nodded. "Yes."
    "We were together for over a year," Doug added. "It's been a while though."
    "Congratulations on your baby. Is your wife here?" she asked, even though it turned her stomach to make conversation with the man.
    "No, she's at home with our child."
    She didn't know what to say to that or what to say to him.