“Yes, and I’d hate to miss it.” She lets out an irritated sigh and leans back on the couch. “This is stupid. Why would he come all the way back from Australia for a wedding? I was the one who introduced him to Arlene and Marco. Technically, they belong to me. And now he’s going to fly across the world just to make me uncomfortable? Who does that?”
A dick, that’s who.
“When is the wedding again?”
“This Friday. There’s no game so I’m free for the night. It’s why I said yes.” She groans. “God, of course he’d do this. He was never a vindictive man, and he never played mind games. He was very loyal, so this is why he’s going. Because he’s so loyal.” She starts to tremble, her voice shaking and her eyes welling up with more tears, but she won’t allow them to fall. I can see the panic bubbling up, and I don’t fucking like it.
I don’t like the tears welling in her eyes.
I don’t like the shakiness in her voice.
The trembling of her lip.
I like nothing about it.
And I feel this need to correct the situation.
To make it better for her, just like her apartment.
I’m itching to make this better, to remove the frown from her face. My mind starts racing with how I can find a solution, anything to make sure she’s no longer sad.
“Like, dude, everyone knows you’re in Australia. Just stay there. Enjoy your new life with your new job and your new apartment and possibly your new wenches that you have crawling at your feet. And why even text me? He wants to meet up? Hang out? As if I don’t have a life of my own? Like is he trying to—”
“Take me,” I say before I can stop myself. It’s the first solution that pops into my mind, and as Blakely stares at me in shock, I realize this actually might be a good idea.
Yeah, she should take me.
I could protect her.
Be there for her.
Hold her hand . . .
Although from the look of shock and confusion that passes over her face, I’m gathering that maybe she’s not on the same wavelength as I am.
Quietly, she says, “What?”
Yup, you did it now. You said it. Now you have to follow through.
You wanted your chance.
Here it is.
Take it.
My eyes stay connected with hers so she knows how serious I am. “Take me to the wedding.”
“Wh-why would I do that?” she asks.
Yeah, Halsey, why would you do that?
Maybe because I’m practically in love with you.
Because I can’t get enough of you.
Because if I don’t take you to the wedding, you might fall for your ex again, and I don’t think I can handle that.
Because I want my goddamn chance at holding you for a night.
