Free One Night by Emma King Page A

bang. Lana’s wedding planner was a frazzled mess. “The time has come.”
    Showtime. Now the attention could return to its rightful place- Lana.
    As the ceremony began, it was clear that Lana’s true purpose in life was to be a bride. She looked stunning in her dress and she basked in the gawking stares of the attendees. Lana’s fairy tale was my worst nightmare. I was the first one down the aisle, and I managed to start things off right by tripping on the carpet that had been drawn over the sand, presumably to make it easier for us to walk. When Lana had first told me that she was having a beach wedding, I was excited by the prospect. A few days of beach and sun sounded like a great idea. But walking in the sand in three-inch heels was just about the worst idea anyone had ever had. Amid the loud gasps of the audience, one quick on-looker managed to grab my arm and prevent me from falling completely.
    I turned to thank my savior, but the words caught in my throat as I stared into the most amazing eyes I had ever seen. They were as blue as the ocean backdrop and unnervingly cool.
    “You alright?” their owner asked, his voice smooth and deep. It was only then that I noticed the rest of him, and it was hard to look away. But I had an entire wedding waiting on me to make it down the aisle so I quickly pulled my shit together.
    “Yeah. Thanks.” I tossed my hair over my shoulder and lifted my chin, determined to play off my near fatal fall. Lana’s grandmother gave me an encouraging smile. When I got to the end of the aisle, I thought about continuing right into the ocean and swimming away. But I’m a pretty bad swimmer so I planted my feet in the sand and kept my eyes focused on the distance.
    None of the other bridesmaids had my carpet issues, and Lana was able to navigate it easily even in her puffy dress. Somewhere during the minister’s opening remarks, I noticed the videographer and realized my incident had been preserved for posterity. Swell.
    Needless to say, I was the first person at the open bar during cocktail hour. Lana’s creepy uncle let his eyes roam slowly over my body as he said, “So you don’t have a date either, huh?” I ordered another drink.
    I kept a low profile during dinner, snagging as many champagne refills as possible while avoiding eye contact and awkward conversation with the strangers seated at my table. The rest of the bridal party was seated strategically next to the bride and groom, but Lana had explained that my solo status would negatively affect the aesthetic look of the room by creating an odd number at the table. I suppose I should’ve been offended, but the table demotion suited me just fine.
    “Do you know if they have opened the bar up again?” I finally broke down and spoke to the man on my left. From the introductions everyone had made when we first sat down for dinner, I knew his name was Harry and he worked with Trevor. From sitting next to him for the last hour, I knew he was a loud breather and he liked to stare at my chest.
    “I could check for you,” he offered a little too eagerly. I was pretty sure Lana had deliberately placed us next to one another. One of us was an allegedly desperate single female, and the other one was a male that was attracted to females. It was a perfect match. “I think I saw some people walking by with fresh drinks.”
    “Perfect. But I’ll get it myself, thanks. I need to stretch my legs.” I made a big deal about flexing my legs and Harry’s eyes lingered a little too long on them. I could tell he was about to suggest that he accompany me so I skedaddled as fast as my heels would carry me in the direction of the bar. “Whiskey and diet,” I said, smiling politely at the cute bartender. He was probably five years younger than me, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t flirt a little. “Are you having a good night?”
    “Yes, ma’am,” he answered as he handed me my drink. I admit it- that stung.
    “You just aren’t having a