A voice interrupted my thoughts. “Blair?”
I turned to find a guy around my age smiling at me. “I’m Adam.”
This was the person Taylor wanted to set me up with. I’d been hiding in the bathroom since arriving here, so Ihadn’t seen him. This poor guy had no clue he’d be getting the absolute worst of me tonight.
“Yes.” I cleared my throat. “Hi.” I took his offered hand. “Very nice to meet you.”
So not in the mood for this right now.
“I work with Taylor.”
“Yes.” I forced a smile. “He mentioned that we’d be sitting together.”
“You guys go way back, right?”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “Taylor and I were camp counselors together for many years, and we’ve remained close.”
“That’s so cool. He’s such an awesome guy. I’m very happy for him and Juliana.”
“Yeah. Me too. They’re perfect together.”
An awkward silence filled the space between us as I gulped down all of my water in about ten seconds.Maybe I should just leave.I could go to my room now. Taylor might not even notice.
Suddenly the thought of having to make small talk with this poor guy while freaking out about Tate made me ill.
“Excuse me.” I stood and left the table.
That was most definitely rude, but I needed some air before I passed out.
Escaping out a side door to a veranda that overlooked Boston in the distance, I took a deep breath.
Truths about this situation continued to bombard me, like the fact that the woman I’d spotted earlier standing next to Taylor’s father was actuallyTate’sgirlfriend. Taylor had said his dad had just started dating someone. So it was new. Jealousy hit me like a ton of bricks. But I couldn’t look at this situation like that. I had to see him asTaylor’s father now, not Tate. I had to get myself to understand that this wasn’t a reunion. It was something entirely different, something he and I had to figure out how to handle.
“Blair?”
I turned to find Taylor standing at the entry to the veranda.
“Hey!” I feigned my best smile as my heart accelerated.
He tilted his head. “What are you doing out here?”
I placed my hand on my stomach. “I started to feel a little queasy, believe it or not. Just wanted to get some air.”
“Shit. Can I get you some water or anything?”
“No.” I waved him off. “Please go enjoy your wedding. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be absolutely fine after a few minutes.”
I didn’t like the idea of Taylor payinganyattention to my behavior tonight, because if he looked closely, he’d figure out that something was very wrong.
“You sure I can’t get you anything?”
I shook my head. “No, but how did you know I was out here? You’re supposed to be focused on your reception.”
“I went over to your table to say hello, and Adam told me you’d left suddenly and gone outside. He thought maybe I’d want to check on you. Said you didn’t seem right.”
He’s correct about that.
“I see.” I exhaled. “Well, I’m fine. Truly. Just needed some air.”
