I pulled back, suddenly recalling all the reasons things would never end well with me and Ben, the moment evaporating in a deluge of insecurities. I would never be enough for him. He could pull any woman he wanted.
He only wanted me because I’d turned him down. I was a challenge. A puzzle to figure out. Just another conquest.
Disappointment flickered in his eyes before fading away. “Should we go find Jack and Liv, so we can all watch the show together?” he asked, clearing his throat.
I let out a shaky breath. “Sure. Good idea.”
I followed him outside, grateful to feel the cool ocean breeze on my heated skin.What in the hell was wrong with me?
I Had One Job
Eve
“Whatdoyoumean,you can’t bring me the dress tonight?” I asked, holding my phone to my ear as my mind raced.
“I mean that I have to be at the hospital in an hour and don’t have time to grab it, bring it to you and get back,” Brian answered. “I can bring it when I come to the hotel tomorrow.”
“No. That won’t work. The photographer will want it for the bride prep photos.¡Mierda!”
I had one job, and I’d messed it up. I’d forgotten Olivia’s wedding dress at my apartment. I had slipped my bridesmaid’s dress into the big garment bag with my rehearsal dress and the dress I was wearing to the brunch the day after the wedding. I’d walked out the door with three dresses for myself and none for the bride.
And now, I was in Midtown getting ready for the wedding rehearsal in the bridal suite that I was staying in with Olivia tonight, and there was no time between the wedding rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner to make the trek back to my apartment to get the dress.
I. Was. Screwed.
“Call Ben. Maybe he hasn’t left yet,” Brian said, trying to calm my mental spiral.
“I can’t callhim.”
“Give me one good reason why not.”
Because I almost kissed him on the booze cruise. Because he’ll never let me hear the end of it if he knows I fucked up this bad. Because I find him ridiculously attractive and definitely need to stay away from him.
“I—” My mind was filled with reasons, but I knew I wasn’t going to voice any of those to Brian.
“Exactly. You don’t have a good reason. So call him. I’ll wait until he gets here to leave for work.”
“Ugh. Fine!” I said, hanging up and finding Ben’s number.
It rang twice before Ben’s gravelly voice answered. “Yeah?”
He sounded in a rush. I prayed that meant he hadn’t left his apartment yet.
“Please tell me you’re not on your way to the hotel yet,” I pleaded.
“I was just leaving. Why?”
“I need a massive favor. I left Olivia’s dress in my apartment. Brian has to work tonight, and he’s not coming to the hotel until tomorrow afternoon.”
“You forgot the bride’s dress, arguably the most important thing on your to-do list?” he asked, humor coloring his tone.
“It’s not funny.” My voice cracked, and tears stung the back of my eyes. “Olivia doesn’t know I forgot it.”
I hated messing up, hated feeling like a disappointment to people.How could I have forgotten her dress?
“Alright. Calm d—”
I cut him off. “Don’t you dare tell me to calm down right now, O’Connor.”
