Driven to Date Read Online Free Page A

and seemed to be eating this up. “Maybe it’s just hormones, but it thrills me to be surrounded by happiness right now. Where is this awesome guy? He wasn’t sitting with you during the ceremony.”
    “That’s because he was in the wedding.” I winked, playing along. Then I remembered Ethan only had one groomsman, and there’s no way the sexy best man fit my fictional boyfriend’s personality. Whatever. It’s not like she’d want to meet him.
    “I’d love to meet him.” Madison squeezed my arm. “What’s his name?”
    My eyes bulged, and I shot to my feet. “I just remembered something. My boyfriend, um, wanted me to find him after the bridal party dance. So, I’d better go do that. I’ll be right back.”
    Panicking as I strode away, I searched for the best man. Not with Ethan and Ellen, who were going from table to table. Not on the dance floor. Then I spotted him at the bar, and speared in his direction.
    Stopping behind the best man and the guy he was talking to, I tapped him on the shoulder. Both men turned around to face me.
    Taking a deep breath, I gave him a determined look. “I need you to be my boyfriend for ten minutes.”
    The best man’s friend smirked. “That’s about Ryan’s attention span with women, anyway.”
    Ryan smacked his friend in the arm before he stood, then met my eyes. “I’m all yours.”
    “Lovely,” I said, hoping this Ryan guy hadn’t knocked back too many drinks. I needed him presentable. “We’ll make this quick.”
    He fell in line beside me as we hurried toward the dance floor. “Shouldn’t I know your name?” he asked.
    “It’s Jill.” I tossed him a quick glance, then gazed up at him in an adoring way in case Madison was watching. “I’m going to introduce you to someone important, and I just need you to play along. Pretend we’re in love. Yada yada.”
    His eyes trailed down my body then back up again. “Not a problem.”
    “Good.” I slipped my arm through his, saying a quick prayer that he wouldn’t blow this. Madison caught my eye as we approached. “Madison, I’d like to introduce you to my boyfriend, Ryan.”
    She rose to her feet, holding her hand out. “Nice to meet you, Ryan. Jill says wonderful things about you.”
    He shook her hand. “Very nice to meet you, as well.”
    “So.” She beamed at both of us. “How did you two meet?”
    Ryan turned toward me, then trailed his fingers down my bare arm, making me shiver. “You tell her, buttercup.”
    “Okay, pookie.” I slipped my arm around his (solid) waist, then thought of his best man’s speech. “We met through Ethan.” Yes, good one. “He and Kristen set us up, thinking we’d be perfect together, and they were right.”
    Simple, sweet, and no details I’d have to remember.
    “So beautiful.” Madison clasped her hands together, then nodded toward the dance floor as Lost in Love by Air Supply came on. “My husband and I love this song. You two have to go dance to it. I insist.”
    Dance? I was hoping she’d talk shop with me. “Ryan’s busy with best man duties.”
    “I can always make time for Air Supply, shnookie.” He nodded at Madison, then led me toward the dance floor, spun me around in one smooth move, and pulled me close to him. “Think she bought us?”
    “I don’t know.” I glanced over at Madison who watched us as if assessing. “Hold me closer just in case. Act like you can’t get enough of me.”
    “If you insist.” He tightened his arms around me, then nuzzled my neck in a way that sent tingles down my spine. “How am I doing?”
    “Not bad.” My breath caught, and I had the strong urge to nuzzle his neck. Focus. I peeked over his shoulder at Madison. “I’m not sure she’s convinced.”
    My shoulders tightened as we swayed to the soft music.
    “Why are you so tense?” He ran his hands over my shoulders, fingers pressing into my knotted muscles. “This woman’s opinion that important to you?”
    “Yes.” I closed my eyes, savoring