02

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Vren rapped his fist against his forehead. The sun glared from where it’s made a cruel invasion and it bit at his arm. Next door, a vacuum hummed mechanically in crescendo to the pounding in his head.

He groans.

Vren Parkinson had never been this hungover since college.

His hand reached over the other side of the bed and fumbles for another pillow to shield himself from the sunlight, freezing when he’s met by rumpled sheets.

Sheets that smelled of the feminine perfume he had vague recollections of. He burrows his face on the pillow, struggling to remember.

Neat bun.

Platinum blonde hair spilling into silky smooth shoulders. Spilling deliciously into his hands.

Olive-green dress. And underneath was dainty skin he explored all night.

Slender fingers gliding up and down his back, leaving marks as he leaves his own on every inch of her.

Shit !

Audrey.

His eyes snapped open and he bolted upright, ignoring his pulsing head. He was alone in bed. He listened for the water running in the shower. When he hadn’t heard a thing, he listened more closely.

Nope. Definitely alone.

He scanned the room.

No sign of her. As if he’d dreamed it all. As if the woman at the bar who drew him in was a figment of his fantasies. He walked up to her, knowing he was off his game.

Vren Parkinson was enchanted. Not the one doing the enchanting. For the first, he wasn’t taking the lead. He wasn’t the shepherd the moment Audrey graced him with a slow, sexy smile.

They flirted.

They drank.

Flirted some more.

Drank some more.

He seemed to remember them both staggering to his hotel room. Tearing away each other’s clothes. Kissing.

Oh, God.

He just had the best lay and he’s way too drunk to remember everything.

Everything.

He needs everything.

He scooted to the side of the bed even when his throbbing head protested. He doesn’t exactly know if he was looking for something, but when he found the nightstand without a note, his stomach dropped.

She hadn’t left her number.

Vren sighed and reached for his phone. He faltered when he caught sight of his half-opened wallet with an untouched condom peeking out.

Ice settled in his guts.

Fuck.

Vren squeezed his eyes shut, trying to think despite his throbbing head. He only sees Audrey and the possibilities that he might have just gotten her pregnant. He swipes a hand over his face, realizing she’s never given a last name.

Goddamn it !

He needs to see her.

ASAP.

Vren stomped toward the bathroom and took a shower. Just then, he remembers Audrey mentioned she’s a friend of the bride. Although his brother Cade, was a recluse, his girlfriend now his wife sprinkled more friends to his radar. There might be a chance he could reach Audrey through him.

He changed into a fresh pair of khaki pants as he continuously dials an unanswering Cade. He puts it into speaker and hurried to button his shirt he grabbed from his duffel bag. He almost leapt when his brother’s annoyed voice came through the speaker. « What do you want ? »

« Good morning to you, too. I was expecting you to be in a good mood. »

« What are you talking about ? It’s two in the afternoon, » he pointed out.

« Did I interrupt a steamy situation ? Is that what this is ? » Vren can annoy him all day. Well, on any other day when a woman’s number is not in grave importance to him. « Look, Cade, I apologize for calling but I just need to ask if you know someone named Audrey. She’s Kathie’s friend. »

« Audrey ? Why ? » There was disbelief in his voice.

Vren grabs his watch from the nightstand by the telephone and put it on to ignore the fact that his brother is skeptical he even knows the name. « Yes. ‘Audrey.’ Is it just me or are you actually thinking it’s impossible that I’d hook up with her ? »

« I’m not saying that, Vren. » Cade hesitated. « It’s just that Audrey happens to be the sensible kind. »

« It’s exactly what you’re saying. » He didn’t mind a good insult from his siblings. But this one stings a little.

Vren hears Kathie on the background, a small sleepy sound from the other line. « Cadey, who’s that ? »

« Damn it, Vren. » His brother whispered through gritted teeth. « I’m sorry. It’s just my brother. Go back to sleep. »

« Can you ask her if she knows how I can contact Audrey ? »

« No, I can’t, Vren. Audrey didn’t give you her number and you’re gonna have to live with that. » There were sheets rustling in the background.

« Wait, you guys are talking about Audrey ? » Kathie’s voice suddenly turned wide awake at the mention of her friend.

Weight slid off Vren’s shoulder knowing Kathie is seemingly close with the woman he’s trying to get a hold of. « Can you guys give me her phone number ? »

« No, » Cade deadpans.

He sagged in disappointment. « Why not ? »

« My wife is giving me a murderous look right now and I take that as ‘no,’ that’s why, » Cade stated.

His oldest brother whom he’s looked up to his whole life is whipped.

He bit back a groan.

Vren hangs up, frustrated. This is not going as easy as he predicted. He’s gonna have to call someone else since Cade is completely wrapped around his wife’s sweet little finger.

He drums his palms on the bed and thought of calling his younger brother, Christian. But he remembers him leaving the wedding reception with the woman in a tight, black dress which meant he’s probably sleeping the day off to find another tight dress for tonight. He crosses his promiscuous brother out.

His goody-two shoes brother, Matthew never left their youngest sister’s side. Basically, he was on babysitting duty. Ichinandra wasn’t pleased about it, but she’ll thank her lucky star one day for having five older brothers. They left the reception way too early, so he’ll cross them out of the list too.

Vren grits his teeth, contemplating his choices. There’s Andrei who’s been the best man to Kathie’s maid of honor – a fiery redhead that he had occasional conversations with. The best man and the maid of honor was a great pair. They would’ve hookup last night if only Andrei swings that way. So far, said pair had the same interests and « preferences. »

Four brothers (one of which is the groom) and one sister – all could have been of use at crises like this one. Vren Parkinson, a second of five siblings, only has one more choice : his friend Nathaniel Forester.

The closest guy friend of the bride who married her younger sister, Chassie George Lewis. The golden boy turned extraordinary family man might have a clue of who Audrey was. With hopeful eagerness, he dialed his number.

« Vren, what’s up ? »

He grimaced when a little girl screamed on the other end. Right. Nathaniel and Chassie just had another baby girl… as if one energetic little boy wasn’t enough to deprive them of sleep. « Do you remember Audrey from last night ? »

« Audrey ? Of course, she’s the only woman I know that goes by that name. » Nathaniel pauses for a moment, telling his children to stop running – which explains the clanking noises on the background. « Ethan, stop chasing your sister. Georgie, baby, get down from there. »

Jesus.

« Do you know how I can reach her ? » Vren’s voice instinctively raises its volume when Georgie screeches on the under end.

« Audrey Danler is a smartass. Not your cup of coffee. » He chuckles.

« Why am I am being constantly told I’m not compatible with her ? Seriously, you guys are bruising my ego. » He walked up to the window and draw the curtains. The sunlight is making his hangover worse.

« I’m not saying that. Audrey is not that hard to find. I’m surprised you never heard of her. »

« Audrey Danler ? » He winces when came a loud rustling on the background. « Christ. Where’s their mommy ? »

« Chassie’s taking a shower. Hold on. » The line went silent for a minute. « Are you still there ? »

« Yep. What about Audrey Danler ? » He bites his tongue to not shoot questions that will make him sound impatient.

« She works at a well-known women’s magazine. » Nathaniel grumbles a curse and tells his son to stop running up and down the stairs.

« She’s a columnist. »

His friend chuckled. « She’s the editor in chief, buddy. »

His mouth hangs open. « Are you kidding ? »

« No. Look her up. I got to go. »

Vren chucked his phone over his shoulder, utterly astounded.