Chelsea was a beautiful bride and her wedding went off without a hitch. I guess that’s what happened when you truly embraced the Bridezilla mentality. With the reception in full swing, it was nice to see her relax and actually enjoy herself. Leaning up against the bar, I watched as the couples made their way to the dance floor. As they swayed to some old Frank Sinatra tune, my mind wanderedback to Chase.
To be honest, the song had nothing to do with me thinking about him.
In the month since our night together, a day didn’t go by when I didn’t think of him. Fuck, there were even a few nights I parked outside of his club. I wanted to go inside as if my life depended on it, but something kept me back. My pride?
That was doubtful. I knew it had more to do with my need. I knew ifI ever saw Chase again, I’d never be able to stay away from him. And that was exactly why I never went inside.
I knew what it was like to need someone and it only ended up with me being hurt. I had too much going on in my life to get caught up like that again.
And as if the world had its ultimate play of irony set up for me, just as my fists tightened thinking about him, Rob strutted up to me.I hated that he was here, but since he was the groom’s brother, there wasn’t much I could say about it. I’d been able to keep my distance from him at the other wedding-centered events. Even though I wanted to throat punch him, I even managed to survive the wedding party photos earlier.
“Rob,” I greeted through clenched teeth.
Like the asshole he was, he smiled at me. “So I see you’re still mad.”I considered kneeing him in the balls as he signaled the bartender, but I knew Chelsea would have a fit if I caused any kind of scene.
“Not in the least,” I seethed as I lifted my glass to my lips. “You fucking Whatshisname was the best thing ever to happen to me.”
Stunned, he stared at me. I was done dealing with Rob and his shit. In the months since I’d kicked him out, he’d called and texted,begging to get back together. I guess he’d had enough of me ignoring him and his current way of dealing with it was being as much of a dick as possible.
“Well, that’s good to hear.” Anger flared in his eyes, and it made my heart happy to know I was causing him at least a sliver of the pain he’d caused me.
“Why’s that?” I asked, not really caring what he had to say.
He looked over my shoulder,waving at someone behind me. I didn’t care enough to play his game and look. “I’d like you to meet my date.”
Oh fucking great. Of course he’d bring a date. And of course he’d make a point of rubbing it in my face.
And when I turned around, my glass slipped from my hand, crashing to the floor.
I never thought I’d see him again, and I certainly didn’t think I’d see him here. “Chase,” I chokedon his name.
“Noah,” he muttered, a stunned look plastered to his face.
“You two know each other?” Rob asked, pointing between the two of us.
Chase ran a hand through his dark hair, leaving it the perfect mixture of messy and styled. “You could say that.”
As I looked down at the shards of glass lying at my feet, I had a feeling they would be easier to piece back together than this conversation.“I need to go,” I lied.
I told myself I didn’t care how they met or what Chase meant to Rob. But it was all a lie. The truth was I wanted nothing more than to be in the back of that limo with Chase just once more. My battered pride and I made our way to the bridal suite, hoping to salvage some sense of humility while we still could.
I hated myself for letting Rob get to me. But I hated myselfeven more for still wanting Chase, especially when he was here with that asshole.
“Knock, knock,” Chelsea called out from the other side of the door. “What are you doing up here?”
“Nothing,” I recovered quickly. “Just needed a little space. That’s all.”
The smile on her beautiful face told me she knew it had to do with Rob. There was nothing to say, and I was so thankful for her silent support.“Sure thing. But hurry up. They’re about to do the YMCA. You can’t miss that.”
“Of course not,” I answered sarcastically.
She stuck her tongue out at me and made a silly face. As she left the room, a waitress came in. “Are you Noah Carpenter?” she asked, holding out a piece of paper.
Without saying anything, I took the paper from her hands. My trembling hands unfolded the note.
Laughing at how he mirrored my words from our first encounter, I folded the paper up and slid it into my pocket. “Chase,” I said to myself as I exited the room. “I certainly will.”
Yet as much as I wanted to go after him, I knew I had no reason to feel any kind of jealousy—or anything, really for that matter—over him being here with Rob. Chase certainly wasn’t mine.
