As I watch them, I do my best to focus on how welcoming they’ve always been to me rather than on how I’ll never have that type of connection myself.
Family isn’t who a person is born into—not always—family can be chosen.
Josie squeezes my hand, likely knowing exactly what I’m thinking. But when her grip goes from easy to a little too tight, I glance at her. “What’s up?”
She searches my face. “The flirting with Theo thing. Does that mean you’re really over Camden?”
My heart trips at the sound of his name. It feels like I’m drowning as I say, “It’s over. You saw the article.”
For several seconds, she studies me, like she’s trying to read my mind, to access my real thoughts. She’s better off not knowing. They wouldn’t comfort her at all. I’m a mess, and moving on is going to be incredibly hard, but I don’t have much of a choice. So I force my lips to turn up. “Theo will be a fun distraction.”
She lets out an unsteady breath. “So seeing Camden with another woman isn’t going to be an issue?” She peers over my shoulder, concern etched in the lines of her face.
The air shifts, my every cell going on high alert. Without my permission, my body angles itself toward the door.
Then my heart constricts painfully. It’s been months since I last saw him. I’d forgotten just how good he looks. How thick and strong and broad his body is. The guys around us are all good-looking, but they have nothing on Camden. He is all man.
Maybe it’s the age, or maybe he’s always been that way. All I know is that no one has ever made my blood heat the way he does.
And no one has ever broken my heart so completely. Because to his left is a gorgeous woman who’s probably close to his age. The two ofthem stand in the doorway, talking to Beckett and Gavin, all four of them at ease with the conversation.
I’m sick.
I’m letting you go.
Because of her? Because he met someone else?
“I cannot believe you guys didn’t tell me.”
I whip around and face Addie, silently admonishing myself. Tonight isn’t about Camden. Or me.
“Dad would have killed us,” Finn tells her.
Josie nods. “You know Beckett is my guy.”
“He trumps your best friend?” Addie huffs.
Josie shrugs. “Yup.”
The whole group breaks into laughter. Except me. I’m just trying to breathe. This continues for the next twenty or so minutes.
Josie nearly bores a hole in my head watching me so closely, but I try to keep a smile on my face. Try not to search the room for Camden and his mystery woman. Try to ignore the pain radiating through my every limb.
Just a few more minutes. Then I can sneak out. Feign a headache. Get out of here before I have to watch Camden leave with another woman.
Bile rises in my throat as I imagine it. Imagine him touching her. Imagine himkissingher.
I’m actually going to be sick.
“You haven’t touched your drink,” Theo says, sidling up beside me again.
I peer down at the glass in my hand. He’s right. The ice is melted and my hand is numb around it.
“I’m not feeling great,” I admit.
His whiskey eyes trace over my face. “Want to get some fresh air?”
I shake my head. I can’t lead him on. I’m not ready to move on. I don’t know if I ever will be.
