“Why would you want to? Look at him.”
I did look at him, and he looked great. He was wearing some brown dress slacks paired with an off-white shirt and vest. I tore my eyes away before I imagined kissing him in the copy room. He was my boss, end of story. “So, he’s good looking. So what?”
“You’re not fooling anyone, Kelli, and neither is he. I saw the way you two were looking at each other when we walked out here.”
“You got the whole loathing vibe then?”
She squeezed my shoulder and laughed.
I rested my head against hers briefly. For some reason, I needed the comfort only she could give. I wasn’t sure why I needed it at that particular moment, but it felt nice. The feeling of peace that it brought only lasted for a moment as Delfia and Matt, our in-house developer, joined us. They looked like they were together. I thought there might be a little something going on between the two of them. I had noticed the stolen glances between them when Matt came up to work with me. I was pretty sure he was like ten years younger than her, but they looked great together.
Delfia was nibbling on her bottom lip, which was unlike her. I’d never seen her nervous before. Matt too seemed nervous, walking close to Delfia, but not too close. Amanda knew both already from our monthly lunch dates, so there was no need for introductions. I didn’t say anything about them being together since they were acting so unsure, but it only took me a minute to wish I had brought up my suspicions about them. My sister and Delfia started talking about me and my boss, who, at the moment, was engrossed in conversation with my brother-in-law. While Amanda was trying to extricate any juicy details from her on what went on in the office, she spilled the beans.
“Did you know that Kelli and Ian dated when she was a freshman in college? She had it bad for him.” Amanda fanned herself.
“Amanda.” I was infuriated she let that little detail drop out of thin air like an atomic bomb. She ignored me.
Delfia’s entire face lit up. “I knew there was a past there. You should see the fireworks in the office.”
Matt gave me a strained smile, obviously uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. Him and me both.
I finally couldn’t take it anymore. “I’m off to find Boss and Holly.” No one cared that I left; they were enjoying their gossip fest. I walked past Zane and Mr. Greyson on my way back in, they were now sitting and talking like two old men on a front porch. It made me nervous. I didn’t want him to be friends with my family, and where was the family loyalty, for crying out loud? I glared at both men as I walked by. Zane laughed, but Mr. Greyson acted like he was going to stand and follow me until Zane grabbed his attention with some more business talk. I didn’t expect that, but I should have because ever since he walked back into my life, it had been nothing but unpredictable.
Unfortunately, there was one thing I could predict tonight. And that was Luke. He didn’t disappoint. When I walked into the house, he was coming out. He reeked of alcohol, even more than before, like he had taken a bath in it while I was on the patio.
“Baby doll, I’ve been looking for you.”
I hated it when he called me that, but I ignored it. The last thing I wanted was for him to blow up at his parents’ party, and when he drank you never knew what would set him off.
“Do you know where your parents are?” I tried to distract him.
He shook his head while perusing every inch of me. The sinister gleam in his eyes gave me the willies. I couldn’t believe this was the Luke I used to know. He grabbed my hand and tried to pull me back outside. I pulled back, but for a drunken guy, he was still well in control of his body, and he sure didn’t lack strength.
“Luke, please let go.”
“Come on, baby.”
He drew closer, and I almost puked from the smell.
“Luke, knock it off,” I tried to keep my voice down, not wanting to cause a scene. He refused to let go, and now he was disgustingly licking his lips. That was it. I yanked as hard as I could. That did the trick, but it set him off.
He reached for me again. “Baby, don’t play innocent with me. You know you want me. It’s why you dressed like a whore tonight.”
He might as well have slapped me. I’d never been called such a thing. I held my stomach, stunned. That gave Luke another shot at me. He gripped my arm like a vice. Thankfully, Mr. Greyson and Zane were alerted.
Mr. Greyson grabbed his hand while Zane grabbed the back of his shirt.
“I suggest if you want to keep that hand you let go of her immediately,” Mr. Greyson growled. I had never seen him look so furious. His eyes blazed with hatred toward Luke.
Luke let go, and Zane directed him forcefully out the door. Luke kept spouting out more vile words. “You ruined my life, tramp. I’m glad I never married you,” he spewed.
All the guests on the patio or near the door were now staring at me. It was dead silent. I was hot with embarrassment, trying to hold back my tears. I managed to say, “Thank you,” to a livid Mr. Greyson before I darted off as fast as I could. I wove my way through a crowd of people and out the front door. I made it as far as the porch swing before I lost it. No matter whether you believe what a person says about you, it still hurts. I clung to the swing’s chain, tears pouring down my cheeks, silently falling on my new dress.
It wasn’t long before a harried Mr. Greyson ran out the door. He almost ran past me until he heard me sniffle. “There you are,” the concern in his voice made me cry harder.
He rushed over to me.
I tried to wipe at the tears furiously, but to no avail—they kept coming.
