“There’s not much left to say, Xander.” I took a deep breath. “I’ll keep my mouth shut, but only because I don’t want to have to discuss exactly what happened between us.”
“Don’t you even want to know about Gabby and me?”
“No. Why would I want to know about you and Gabby?”
A sharp pain twisted in my stomach as I imagined them together. My head started pounding, and I knew I was jealous. I didn’t know why I was jealous. I hadn’t even thought I’d see him again. Well, that was partially true. I hadn’t thought I would see him again, but I had had a daydream running through my head all week.
I kind of hoped that he would find me. You know what I mean—in a romantic-movie sort of way. He’d ask people from the wedding about the beautiful girl in the light-pink dress, and he’d figure out who I was and come and find me. I wasn’t talking Lifetime stalker-movie either. He wouldn’t become obsessed with me and stalk me and then kill me. I was talking sweet romance-movie moment. He’d find me and serenade me with a cassette player—remember those? And he’d have a bouquet of flowers and tell me that the night we’d spent in the hotel was the best night of his life and that he couldn’t stop thinking about me.
So, yes, while I hadn’t expected to see him again, I had hoped in the back of my mind that he’d find me. For a brief second, when I’d seen him in the living room, I’d thought maybe my dreams had come true, but of course they hadn’t. Because that was just how my life went. I never met the romantic men. I nevermet the men who wanted to woo me and sweep me off of my feet. I never met the Prince Charmings of the world. I always met the garbage men pretending to be Prince Charming, but then I figured out how much they stunk and wanted to slap myself for ever thinking they had more to offer.
“Are you listening to me, Liv?”
Xander’s voice interrupted my thoughts, and I looked up at him with a wry smile.
“No, sorry,” I said and flashed him my teeth.
“You seem preoccupied,” he said with a frown.
I had to admit, my heart jumped for joy for a little bit. Yes, I knew I was slightly immature, but it pleased me that he knew he wasn’t eating up my thoughts. I mean, he was, but I was pretty sure he thought I was preoccupied by something else.
“What’s on your mind?” he said softly. “Is it me?”
And then, because my feelings were hurt and because I wanted to see if I could make him jealous, I said the one thing I could think of to try and rile him up.
“Oh, no,” I said sweetly. “I was thinking about Henry.” I looked down with a fake, demure smile. “Gabby mentioned he was single and a nice guy, and I was thinking, maybe I should get to know him better.”
“You what?” His eyes narrowed, and my heart jumped for joy at the displeasure on his face. “My brother, Henry?”
“Yes.” I pushed my breasts out slightly.Look at what you’re missing, buddy. “That’s not going to be a problem, is it?” I licked my lips slowly and grinned. “After all, you’re seeing my sister.”
He stood there for a few seconds, his eyes searching mine, and then he went to the bedroom door and exited my room without a word.
Score one for me!I thought as I stared at the open door.
I stood there for a few seconds and then sighed. My victory felt very hollow. I hadn’t really fixed anything. My weddinghookup—my Mr. Miracle Tongue—was engaged to my pregnant sister. My bitchy,thinksshe’s better than mesister.
And all I could think about was how quickly I could leave the house and get away from them all. I was scared about what would happen if I stayed. I could still feel his hardness in my hands.
He was a grade-A jerk. How could he still be coming on to me if he was engaged to my sister? And how could I still be liking it? What was wrong with me? I was a home-wrecker … well, a soon-to-be home-wrecker. I was one of those women Alice and I hated. One of those women who didn’t care if the man was taken. Okay, so I hadn’t known he was taken when I first met him; the first night of sex wasn’t my fault. But if it happened again, if I hooked up with him, I’d be the biggest bitch this side of the Atlantic. My brain was screaming at me for even thinking it could happen again, but I knew that Xander made me weak. Very, very weak.
It was in that moment I knew that I was very far from being a winner. And I knew I couldn’t stand around and just wait for something to happen. I couldn’t find myself waking up next to him in bed again. It wouldn’t be right. I’d have to come up with a plan.
CHAPTER SIX
“You dirty dog, you,” Alice squealed in delight as I finished telling her about my meeting with Xander in my bedroom and the way he’d stood so close to me and grabbed my hand.
“I’m not the dirty dog,” I said, annoyed. “He is. He’s the cheat. He’s —”
“Don’t get me wrong. He is definitely a dirty dog,” Alice agreed. “Maybe he’s a dirty rottweiler—or wait, what’s a bigger dog than a rottweiler? Maybe a Saint Bernard? Are they bigger?”
“Who cares if a Saint Bernard is bigger?”
“The dog inBeethoven—what breed was that?”
“Alice, I have no clue.” I knew I sounded exasperated. “And I don’t care. I have more pressing issues to discuss. Like what to do.”
“That’s why you’re a dirty dog.” She giggled.
