Free What Happens in Vegas... by Kimberly Lang

nice, Evie,” that caused her heart to stutter regardless.
    “Thank you. You look pretty good yourself.” She pulled the door closed behind her and gripped her handbag tightly to keep her fingers from sliding over that silk shirt to feel the man beneath. As they walked toward the elevator, Nick’s hand landed on the small of her back.
    It was a simple gesture—commonplace, even—but Eviefelt as if she’d been touched by a live wire. Had she really offered Nick a marriage in name only? That they’d live simply as roommates? She had to be insane. How had she forgotten the magnetism of this man?
    In the close confines of the elevator, each breath she took was filled with his scent, and her thighs were trembling as they descended.
    “That’s a nice dress. Didn’t they have anything in white?”
    She cut her eyes at him. Was that an insult or a tease? His dry tone didn’t help; he could have been discussing the interior decor of the elevator. “White’s not a good color for me. Too harsh against my skin tone.”
    Nick merely nodded, which didn’t tell her anything,
    She swallowed. “So, what’s the plan?”
    “Kevin and Lottie are meeting us in the lobby. We’ll go to the license bureau first—”
    Whoa. “I’m sorry, who are Kevin and Lottie?”
    “Kevin is my friend and business partner. Lottie is his wife. I couldn’t get married without telling them.”
    That caused her conscience to twinge in guilt, and she thought sadly of her family again. “I see.”
    The elevator doors opened, and Nick took her hand as she stepped out, stopping her just beyond the threshold. “My friends don’t know the true circumstances surrounding this wedding, and I’d like to keep it that way—although for different reasons than you.”
    She hadn’t thought about what Nick might tell his friends and family. Realizing all the things she’d forgotten in her plan was quickly becoming a full-time job. “Of course. One happy couple, coming up.”
    Nick smiled for the first time and butterflies battered her insides. He didn’t let go of her hand, either, and a nice warmth moved through her as they crossed the lobby in the direction of a couple wearing bright smiles.
    “Kevin, Lottie, this is Evie.”
    Kevin had average Irish good looks—tall and ruddy—an open, honest face and a contagious grin that put her at ease almost immediately. Lottie, in contrast, was petite, with beautiful olive skin and long black hair that hung to her waist. Lottie immediately wrapped Evie in a hug that made her feel welcome and slightly guilty for deceiving this nice woman.
    “You’re even more beautiful than Nick said,” Lottie gushed, “but I’m sure we’re going to be great friends, regardless.”
    Evie was still reeling over the news Nick had told these people she was beautiful as Lottie rushed on. “Later, you’ll have to tell me how you managed to snare Nick. I’d all but given up on him finding someone.”
    “Let her breathe, Lottie,” Kevin admonished his wife. Turning his grin at Evie, he extended a hand and continued, “You’re a brave girl, tying yourself to this guy.”
    Evie felt a bit overwhelmed and unsure of what to say. “I’m very happy to meet you both. Nick has told me so much about you.”
    From the identical shocked expressions on Kevin and Lottie’s faces, she worried she’d stepped in something, but she wasn’t sure what. She knew she wasn’t the best actress, but had she blown it already?
    Then Kevin laughed. “Nick talking. That’s a first.”
    Confused, she looked at Nick, who merely shrugged. Great. That’s helpful.
    Lottie took her husband’s hand. “I told you she’d have to be something special.”
    She didn’t feel very special at the moment. “He is the strong, silent type, isn’t he? That’s okay, because I can talk enough for both of us.”
    Lottie beamed, and Evie wanted to like her—felt as if she could really like her and maybe have a friend in Las Vegasalready—but the guilt