“Not a clue.” And I plan to keep it that way until I can figure out just what it meant.
He nods. “And Odette?”
“What about her?”
“How’s she feeling about it?”
I don’t know why, but I didn’t expect Ezra to care about how Odette feels about it. He’s not usually that kind of guy. Not that he’s a dick—I would never partner with someone who truly is—but he’s also not invested in personal matters. He doesn’t like to talk about his life outside of work, which I appreciate about him.
“I don’t know. She won’t talk to me.”
“Have you tried?”
“I texted her last night. She said she needed time.”
“Then give it to her.”
“I know. I know I need to. I’m just ... fuck, man. I feel like I’m stuck on an endless merry-go-round. Like I’m being peeled out of my skin or some other weird sci-fi shit like that. I’m just ... I don’t know. I don’t usually want to talk about my feelings and shit, but I need to know what she’s thinking. She’s not just some random person. She’s ... she’s ...Odette.”
He tips his head at me, watching me closely.Tooclosely. So much that it makes me feel like I’m naked, standing on a stage, and everyone is watching.
“What?”
“Nothing, man.”
Except this time, when he says it, I don’t give him any more ammo than he already has.
I keep my mouth closed and my head down. And I definitely don’t try to talk to Odette, no matter how badly I want to.
She wanted space, and I’m going to give it to her.
Even if it does kill me in the process.
Chapter Twelve
Odette
When Izzy suggested meeting here to get the preliminary seating chart in order so we could start mapping out the layout for the reception, it took everything I had not to scream into the phone.
Instead, I calmly agreed so as not to let on that there was a reason I couldn’t be here today.
Now that I’m here and Noah stands a mere hundred feet away, I have major regrets.
I should have told her no and insisted we meet somewhere else, maybe at the diner. I take it over with my family every Sunday; why can’t I do it again?
My eyes drift toward him, and I wish I could say it’s the first time, but it’s not. Far from it. Actually, I have no idea how Izzy hasn’t said anything. How she hasn’t noticed I’m watching her brother like a damn hawk and am barely paying any attention to what we’re doing.
I know it’s not fair to her. I should be more invested in this wedding than I’ve been in any other since I’m her best friend and maid of honor, but I’m not. I’m too damn distracted by the fact that I kissed her brother.
I kissed Noah Stevens.
I kissed my best friend’s older brother.
And I really, really want to do it again.
It’s all I thought of all night. He consumed my thoughts every time I closed my eyes. The way he looked at me like he was hungry and had never had a satisfying meal in his life. How he slid his knee between my legs, and I swear I’d never felt anything so damn good before. How he held me so tight, like now that he had me in his grasp, he was never letting me go.
I didn’t want to let him go, either, but I did because the second his fingers grazed against my bra, I panicked.
