Ifeel like a creep. A total pervert. I tap my hand against the breast pocket that’s hidden inside my suit anxiously. I’m pretty sure I’ve been doing that subconsciously all night, even during the ceremony. The pocket anxiously holds my invitation. It’s beyond ridiculous that I felt the need to bring my invite to my friend’s wedding along with me. I know no one is going to question my presence here but I felt like I needed the continuous reminder that I’m allowed here - wanted here.
But still, as my eyes stay locked on Katie, I can’t help chanting silently. I’m not a stalker, I’m not a stalker. I. Am. Not. A. Stalker.
Of course, we both have to be here. I can only imagine the amount of times in the future where we’re going to be in awkward social situations exactly like this one. Well, almost exactly like this one, in the future I’ll probably feel regret for ever going out with her in the first place. Whereas now, I just feel like a giant bag of shit.
My god, she’s gorgeous. The floor-length lilac dress that adorns her figure looks like it was made for her. My heart thumps at the sight of it. I remember the day she bought it, I was with her. She wasn’t sure about it at first, I had to convince her that the soft colors made her hair shine brighter - like it was on fire. The soft blue beading around the high neckline accentuated her eyes.
I groan at my sappy and pathetic inner monologue. Danny approaches with two beer bottles in his hand and I hurry to snap myself out of it.
My eyes haven’t left her for more than a few seconds since she sat down across the aisle at the wedding. She looked gorgeous but not in an obnoxious way. Her beauty is more of a she-can’t-help-it, natural radiance. She just attracts attention, wherever she goes, whatever she’s wearing. She has this aura that drags your attention. And for the umpteenth time tonight, I get annoyed as yet another guy takes a long leering sweep of her figure.
I can’t blame anyone but myself. A sane person would say that I’m torturing myself over nothing. The only thing that’s held me back all night, is the fact that Katie hasn’t looked in the direction of any of these fools. She’s totally immersed in her conversation with my sister at the minute, and she’s been glued to her side the entire night.
Danny continues talking about the gym. I’m only really half-listening, I’ve probably heard it all before anyway. Not that it’s his fault, he’s excited to be progressing in his career. Hell, who wouldn’t be excited?
My sight roams the large marquee tent that was set up to hold the reception. We’re on the outskirts where grass lays underneath our feet but if we were to venture further in - towards the crowd - solid wooden flooring creates a makeshift dance floor.
We’d been stood here for nearly an hour just chatting, and trying to avoid everyone else. I was glad when Gabby had said that I could bring Danny along. Without him, I probably would’ve been stuck sitting next to Gabby’s cousins - or worse, her parents. The main reason I’d wanted to bring someone was so that I wouldn’t be alone.
Although my friends were here, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay with them all night. I know it was Katie that made the decision to break us up, so she would normally be the one to distance herself, I couldn’t do that to her. I couldn’t take our friends away from her, and for right now at least, there needed to be distance between us two.
My eyes narrow in on Katie as she approaches the bar across the room and refills her glass of champagne. She should slow down on the alcohol, that’s her fifth glass in under an hour. One more and she’ll be on the floor. Three more, and she’ll be up on the tables. Katie can be a real party girl when she wants to be, I loved that about her - that she knows she can be whatever she wants. A partier one night, a harry potter geek the next.
I shouldn’t even be thinking about this. I release a big breath and turn my body completely so that I’m faced towards Danny, intent on giving him the attention that has been on my… ex, the whole night. Dear god, that’s a hard pill to swallow down.
Distract, engage, let her go. I nod at Danny in agreement as he mentions the stress of dealing with financial paperwork. I’m with him there, but if you want to own your own business, these are things that you have to do. Basically, a walk in the park except for on the way in, you have to hand over your time, your loved ones and your sanity.
Wait. “Is your sister not dealing with the paperwork? I thought she went to school for business?”
“Oh, she did. Which is why she’s forcing me to help out. She’s finally exacting her revenge for all those years I spent telling all my high school friends that she still slept with her Henry the Octopus doll and wet the bed.” I give him a pointed look. Really? “We haven’t always been as close as we are now. Oh god, don’t tell her I told you any of that.”
“Excuse me?” A voice interrupts my next thought. Danny and I both turn to look at the woman standing next to us. “You’re Evan, right?”
“Yeah, that’s me,” I reply trying to keep my confusion at bay, I wait for her to introduce herself - and explain what she wants.
“I’m Kathy, Sam’s cousin.” O-kay? The way she says it has me thinking that I’m supposed to know who she is. Shit! Have we met before?
I can’t recall ever having met her. She has a distinctive look about her, I don’t think I could ever forget her. While beautiful, her hair is what would stop anyone in their tracks, it’s an eccentric purple color. It definitely draws my attention. Despite her hair though, I have no memory of this woman. Maybe I’ve seen her in passing at the rehearsal dinner? But still, I can’t be certain. A subtle cough saves me from giving her an awkward answer, “Have you met my friend, Danny.”
I slap a hand on his shoulder, fully ready to place a bit of matchmaking. Danny, the horn bag that he is, will go after anything with breasts. Maybe if I weren’t just getting out of an almost five-year relationship I would’ve been interested. Maybe I would’ve been like Danny, salivating at the mouth and seen her for what she was, a pretty and willing woman.
“No, I don’t believe I have. It’s nice to meet you.” She courteously shakes his hand but clearly shows no interest beyond that. “I just wanted to say that I heard about what happened between you and your girlfriend. I’m so sorry you went through that, it sounds awful.”
What? Who is this chick and who the fuck has been telling her my shit? I don’t like it. It only takes me another second to decide that I don’t like her and I’d rather be anywhere else in the world, than right here. Having this ridiculous conversation.
I’m a very private person, a complete introvert. I like it that way. I can do what I want without having to involve everyone. A perk of not giving a shit what anyone thinks is that I don’t have to stand around with people I don’t know and have awkward conversations. Of course, this is a very different social situation than I’m used to. All night I’ve been stuck to Danny’s side to help keep me feeling too far out of my element. But, as I look to Danny, I don’t even think that he can help with this one.
“I’m sorry, but how did you-”
Again, she cuts off my thought “I overheard Sam’s mom as she was talking to Gabby. They mentioned how sad it was that you were here alone.”
“I mean, I hope this doesn’t sound too forward, but I’d be quite glad to keep you company.”
My gaze flickers to Danny once more. What the fuck is he, if not company? Chopped liver? But I’m guessing that’s not the kind of company she was suggesting by the suggestive raise of her brow.
“Thank you for the offer, but I think I’m gonna head out soon.”
“Oh. Well, maybe some other time?”
