I gave Dex a side-eye.

  "It was to a Puppy Love employee's wedding," Dex said. "All the dogs came."

  "Charlie's lovely," Lala said. "More sociable than Dex most the time. But I can't wait to get to know you."

  Chapter 17

  Shelby (Nervous golfer, anxious family meeter, determined prank avoider. Glitter trailer. Woman out to defend her man.)

  Kayla and Justin were funny and so much in love that it was adorable. The affection between them and Dex was obvious, too. Dex and Kayla were so different in looks and personality that it was hard to imagine that their mothers were sisters.

  Kayla was particularly interested in me and the details of how Dex and I met. She laughed at the story as we told it to her on the walk to the golf course.

  Dex and I walked hand in hand. It felt good, with no pressure and no expectations. Like I'd had with Mitch. I realized now just how many expectations there had been.

  Walking and laughing with Dex felt liberating. I couldn't resist showering him with adoring looks. Which was no hardship. He was easy on the eyes. I reminded myself that this was how the first blush of love had started with all of my former fiancés. But…

  Be careful, Shelby. You always fall too hard, too fast. No free fall this time. This isn't even real.

  Then falling for a fake boyfriend shouldn't be a problem.

  "Oh, Charlie." Kayla shook her head at the story of our first meeting.

  Though, of course, only I knew that wasn't our real first meeting. That was an even better story. Too bad I couldn't tell it.

  "That dog is a rogue and a heartthrob among bitches. But a lovable rogue at that." Kayla turned to me. "Do you know he was featured in a dog lover's magazine as Seattle's most eligible stud?" She laughed. "It's true. Right, Dex?"

  "True. Charlie's a stud," Dex said.

  "Dex has him well trained. But where sex drive is involved…" Kayla's gaze flitted to Dex again.

  I wondered—was I, as an ostensible girlfriend, really such an anomaly? Dex swore he hadn't dated much. Maybe he hadn't exaggerated just how little?

  Dex looked back over his shoulder. "You're leaving a trail of glitter."

  "At least we won't need breadcrumbs to find our way back," I joked.

  "Yeah," he agreed. "Glitter sticks better and the birds don't eat it."

  Every time the wind ruffled my hair, it blew another spray of glitter out.

  We arrived at the course just in time for our tee time. We were issued a golf cart and clubs.

  "Best golfer last," Dex said. "That means Justin. We'll let him see what he has to beat."

  "That must mean worst golfer first?" I winced. "I think that's me."

  Dex squeezed my hand. "You'll do great."

  "Don't give me false confidence."

  "Look." He pointed. "You get to golf from the ladies' tee, that tee way up there." He led the way, carrying my golf bag.

  "But where am I hitting it to?" I asked.

  "See that little flag down there?" He set my bag down.

  "Hand me the binoculars," I said. "This is not inspiring confidence." The golf course suddenly loomed a lot larger than it had even in my imagination.

  The first tee was on a hill overlooking the course. The view was stunning, but the flag was a tiny pinprick on the horizon. I was only half joking about the binoculars.

  Dex set my ball on my tee.

  "Which club do I use?" I asked, desperate for any advice.

  Justin came up beside us. "Have you ever used a wood?"

  "What's a wood?" I said. "If it's not a standard issue miniature golf putter, no."

  Justin pulled a club from my bag and handed it to me. "Then you'll want to use this driver."

  I grabbed my club and bit my lip.

  Dex took one look at my uncertainty and stepped up to me. "Mind if I give you a few pointers?"

  "That would be a relief. Thank you."

  "First, let's adjust your grip. Show me what you got."

  I demonstrated my best putt-putt golf grip while Justin and Kayla stood back, smiling behind their hands.

  Dex held out his hand for my club. "Mind if I demonstrate?" He took my club and showed me how to grip it. "Swing like this." He had good form. But I had no idea if his swing was decent or not.

  I nodded, took the club, and stepped up to the tee.

  "Wait. Your ball will go wild if you stand like that." He adjusted my stance.

  My ball would go wild anyway. I took a deep breath, swung, and…whiffed.

  Behind me, the rest of my foursome was trying hard not to laugh. Too hard.

  I bit my lip and concentrated again. Pulled my club back…and whiffed again.

  Kayla turned away so I couldn't see her lose it. "Sorry. Sorry. It's not you. Every time you swing, there's a small cloud of glitter. It's like you're a fairy."

  "Now if only I had some magic to go with it," I said. "Or wings so I could fly this ball to the green."

  "I have to step in here," Dex said. "Shelby has never golfed. Anyone object if I help her swing?"

  "Go right ahead," Justin said.

  Dex stepped up behind me and wrapped his arms around me, totally unafraid of being glitterized and bedazzled. I just hoped he was as dazzled as I was. Being so near him rattled me in the most pleasant way.

  "She's a Cinderella story," I muttered, lining my club up with the ball. "A bridal hand letterer about to become the LPGA champion…"

  "Nice Caddyshack reference," he whispered hot in my ear.

  "Thank you. I have watched a golf show."

  "I wouldn't call that a golf show," he said.

  But I could tell he was impressed with my movie reference all the same.

  "Eyes on the ball, champ," he said. "Follow my lead as I swing. Just let go and let me. Ready?"

  I nodded.

  He pulled guided me through the swing and the follow through. My ball wasn't on the tee.

  "It looks like a mirac— It's in the hole! It's in the hole! It's in the hole!" I looked up, trying to find it.

  "Not so fast."

  "Where'd it go?"

  Dex leaned over my shoulder and pointed. "There."

  Okay, so it wasn't all that near the tee. It definitely wasn't in the hole. It was still exciting to feel the connection of the club with the ball, to hear the whoosh of air and the thwack of the club hitting the ball. And, most of all, the connection with Dex.

  "Is that oohs and aahs I hear from the gallery?" I whispered to him.

  Justin and Kayla complied on cue and clapped softly.

  "The gallery loves us." Dex gave me a squeeze that sent my heart fluttering.

  Paige strolled by at just that moment while I was still wrapped in Dex's arms. She threw me a dirty, yet smug, look.

  Yeah, she saw the glitter. Pond or pool for you, girlie? Pond will do.

  I spun in Dex's arms and kissed him. Thoroughly.

  He leaned into it. "You're easy to please," he whispered when we finally pulled apart. "That wasn't the best drive I've ever made."

  "You can show me a better drive later." I raised my brow suggestively, hoping Paige had heard.

  "All right, you two," Justin said. "Enough PDA. You're attracting a crowd."

  A camera flashed. The event photographer. No wonder all the wedding photographers I knew wanted this gig. It was a multi-event, weekend-long job that probably paid well.

  I didn't recognize the photographer. I was sure Kayla looked stunning in the shot. But I was glad I had my golf hat and sunglasses on. I only hoped the photographer caught my best glittered side.

  I grabbed my tee and bag and stepped away.

  Kayla teed off. Then Dex, who had good form, in my opinion. I enjoyed watching him, anyway. His ball soared way past mine and Kayla's. Then Justin, who put us all to shame. But since he was on our team, it helped us all tremendously.

  Dex and Justin flipped a coin to see who got to drive the golf cart for the first nine—Justin won. We jumped in, and we were off to meet up with our balls on the way to the first hole. We rode with Dex's arm around my shoulders. I cuddled into him.

  We caught up with our balls. It wasn't long before I realized that Justin was more than just a decent golfer. I commented to Kayla.

  "His family's very athletic," Kayla told me as we watched his drive on the third hole. "He's the non-athletic geek of the crowd. They run sports tournaments around the world. That's their business. They make fun of Jus. But the one thing he's pretty good at is golf. Though, I hate to admit it, his brothers are better." She sighed.

  Dex had told me the same thing.

  And so we golfed on, hole after hole, building a sense of camaraderie. Justin and Kayla quickly grew on me. I really liked both of them. You can judge a person by their friends. And Dex's, though one was related to him, were, so far, awesome.

  As for me, I didn't allow myself to get good enough at teeing off, or driving down the fairway, to not need assistance from Dex. There was something exhilarating about being in his arms. We flirted our hearts out. Acting practice?

  At about the thirteenth hole, Kayla began to flag. She looked like she was in good shape, but she seemed to suddenly fatigue. It wasn't that hot out. We'd only shed our jackets a few holes back. I worried she might be dehydrating.

  I hit my ball into the rough. She hit her ball roughly in the same area. We drove the cart to the approximate spot. Justin made a move to get out to look for Kayla's ball.

  "No. I can get it," she said. "Shelby can come with me. We'll look together. You and Dex go along and finish the hole. We'll catch up."

  Dex turned to me for confirmation.

  "I'm getting good at finding balls in the rough. We won't be long."

  Kayla looked pale and peaked. And obviously just wanted the company of another woman.

  After a brief resistance, the guys left the cart for us and headed down the fairway on foot to argue over whether Dex's or Justin's was the best ball. They'd landed about equidistant from the hole, but with different—and apparently debatably better—lies. The technicalities of golf were still lost on me. Birdies, bogeys, spread eagles…

  Kayla and I headed into the rough. She outpaced me, suddenly sprinting toward a stand of trees. When I caught up to her, she was bent over, retching, one arm against the tree for balance.

  "Sorry." She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and leaned against the tree.

  "You're not feeling well." Maybe a bad breakfast pastry? "I'll text Dex and get him to bring Justin back."

  Kayla shook her head and gave me a wry grin. "There's nothing he can do for me at this point. He's done enough already."

  I paused. It took a second to hit me. "Oh. You're pregnant?"

  She grinned through her paleness. But her color was beginning to return. "Jus doesn't know yet. And, of course, neither does Dex. I was hoping to make it until tonight when we're alone so I can tell Jus in private. It was supposed to be romantic."

  "Don't worry. I'm good with a secret. I'll keep it to myself. Congratulations!"

  Her smile deepened. "This one is an accident. Like my first pregnancy. There's a long story about how we conceived our first daughter. I'll tell it to you someday. But only if you become part of the family." She winked.

  "Ah, well…" I swallowed hard. "Dex and I… We've only just started dating—"

  "Excuses, excuses. Anyone with eyes can see you two are already in love. Even if you don't know it yet. Or haven't admitted it to yourselves. You will eventually." She paused to study me. A smile slowly spread across her face. "Believe me. I know the drill."

  I tried to deflect. "Are you okay? Can I help you back to the cart?"

  "I'm fine. Now." She laughed. "Just give me a minute. With luck, I can avoid tossing my cookies again during the last holes. It comes on suddenly. But it's not frequent. At least it wasn't with the first two. This is the first 'event' with this one."

  "You know we don't have to play the rest of the holes," I said. "I'll text Dex that we've called it quits and drive you back. We can go to the lodge and get something to settle your stomach. A nice cracker, maybe?"

  She looked relieved. "Sounds good to me, to be honest. I'm tired. Fatigue goes with the territory. The first trimester is the worst." She looked at the mess in the rough and wrinkled her nose. "I'm feeling this pregnancy is different already."

  "Does that mean you think it could be a boy this time?" I asked.

  "I don't know. It's too early to tell. Jus would love to have a son. But his parents… Like I said, they're athletic and sports-minded. Both of them. They're already pushing my girls, who are only two and four, toward sports. Can you imagine the pressure they'd put on a boy?"

  She was silent a moment. "They're good people, but Jus went through hell growing up in that house being an introvert who wasn't interested in sports. Fortunately, he's kind and smart. A genius like Dex. So they had something to be begrudgingly proud of."

  "Sorry about your in-laws." I couldn't imagine any parent not being proud of raising men like Dex and Justin.

  "You can't have everything." She tried to step around the mess and slipped in some damp grass.

  I caught her elbow before she could go down.

  "Whoa! Thank you. Nice catch." She looked at the mess she'd nearly slipped into.

  "Wait," I said. "This was your first upchuck of the pregnancy? That makes it special. This is a glitter-worthy occasion. You know I don't shed my glitter for just anything."

  She laughed. "You're funny, Shelby. No wonder Dex is falling in love with you. You share his sense of humor."

  "Let me give this auspicious occasion a fairy blessing. What do you really want? Boy or girl?"

  "A boy would be nice. I think."

  "I was hoping you'd say girl," I said. "I only have pink sparkles. Oh well. Here goes." I shook my head over the tossed cookies, hoping I had a few loose sparkles left, and waved my arms for added drama. "A boy for Justin and Kayla. Despite the pink sparkles. But mostly, grant them a healthy child with at least some athletic ability."

  "And Jus's IQ and smile." Kayla laughed as glitter floated down to mark the spot. "Yeah. Blue sparkles would give me more confidence."

  "Talk to Paige." I pushed my way through the rough. "But I have the feeling she only has pink and gray."

  Chapter 18

  Dex (Mediocre golfer, world-class schemer, man resisting falling in love.)

  Justin and I surveyed the lies of the two balls, made our arguments, calculated the physics of playing each ball, and used the scientific method for deciding which was actually best ball. We flipped a coin.

  I called heads and won. You'd think the odds are fifty-fifty in a coin toss. But I let Justin toss. Side note, these days we were lucky to have a coin on us. Who carries cash? Back to the main point—Justin has a lopsided throw. In all the years I've known him, he tosses heads at least three to one. He groaned when I called heads and handed him the coin. He knew as well as I did he was done for.

  Since it was the first best ball I'd had, I got to crow. But Justin's mind was elsewhere as we hit our balls toward the green.

  "Do you think Kay is getting sick?" he asked. "She looked pale and didn't seem to have much energy back there. She's been like that lately. She had a hard time getting out of bed this morning." He frowned. "Her swing is off today. You know she's a better athlete in general than I am. She should be keeping up with me better."

  I rolled my eyes. "Dude, she's preggo."

  He stopped cold and stared at me. "No. How would you know?"

  "Are you completely oblivious? She's acting exactly the way she did the last two times she was pregnant." I lined up my shot. "And her tits are bigger. You must have noticed that?"

  "I thought she was putting on a little weight. I like it." He gave me thin eyes. "The question is, how did you notice?"

  "I didn't notice in sexual way. She's like a sister. I noticed in the way I observe everything way." My ball landed on the green. I fist-pumped the air. "Yeah!" I turned to Justin, who was leaning on his club. "My guess? She didn't want us around when she was looking for her ball because she went into the bushes to puke. She had that telltale green tinge."

  Justin's face lit up. "I'm going to be a dad again!" He suddenly looked like he was walking on air. Justin loved kids and being a dad.

  "Maybe this time it will be a boy," I said, motioning for him to take his shot.

  "I'll take another girl," he said. "I love being a daddy to girls. A boy would be great, too. As long as it's healthy. And has Kay's sense of humor."

  I was silent while he took his swing. I'd had an ulterior motive for sharing my thoughts. I was hoping to throw his shot off and get best ball at least once more. But the sudden excitement over my announcement improved his game. His ball landed inches from the tee.

  "Flowers," he said. "I'd better surprise Kay with flowers. Or jewelry or something." He turned to me. "You don't mind if I take credit for noticing 'all on my own'?"

  "Go for it," I said. "If you don't mention my name, I don't get in trouble for spoiling the surprise. My guess? She's going to surprise you with the news in a romantic alone moment. Probably this weekend while the tots can't interrupt her big announcement. Knowing Lala, she'll give you a chocolate in the shape of a baby rattle or something. Maybe a T-shirt with Daddy of Three or Three Times a Charm printed on it."

  "Yeah," he said. "That sounds like her."

  We walked toward the green. On the way, I grabbed my ball and dropped it next to Justin's. He putted first. Then me. We recorded our scores on the app and headed for the next hole.

  "Now that I've helped you," I said, "I could use some advice. You were a virgin when you married Lala. She was experienced. How did it go the first time? How did you handle that situation?"

  Justin stopped dead in his tracks and stared at me. "You haven't yet? Not with Shelby?"

  "I only met her this week." I tried not to sound put out. "This is our first time away together. Our first real date, besides burgers." I adjusted my golf bag. "She likes experienced men. So she said."

  "Uh-huh." Justin's eyes narrowed like he was thinking on the problem. "It's pretty easy. Tab A goes in Slot B. Repeatedly."