“All you had to do was say so if you didn’t want me to bring a date. I only invited her because I figured you’d already invited someone.” His fingers glided along my arm and rested on my elbow as goose bumps dotted the places he touched. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t think. Couldn’t make my body complete the simple task of converting oxygen into carbon dioxide because of the way he watched me.
“Miller,” I said, dredging forth as much happiness as I could before glancing over his shoulder at our two dates, who were still standing too close together. Zach’s hand rested on Celeste’s hip, but I couldn’t care less about who he ended up with—knowing it absolutely would not be me. But I did care about Miller and the hoe-bag who was pawing all over someone who wasnothim.
Thinking of her hands all over Miller caused the sickening feeling to creep up ten-fold, but I shoved it aside in favor of what I should have said all along. “Miller, if she makes you happy, then, of course, she should be with you tonight. The exasperating situation with my date should not be a factor.”
He paused, tilting his head as his lips twitched, likely suppressing a smile that I wasn’t going to be a Petty Patsy about this. “I suppose I like her, but I hardly know her.” He shrugged, and the grip on my elbow tightened. “Why did you bring that guy? I could tell he wasn’t worth your time before he evenopened his mouth. Why do you keep settling, babe? You deserve someone who will give you the world. Not these children only interested in getting their dick wet.”
“It’s not like I have that many options, so kindly refrain from determining if I’ll settle or not. Now, your mom is waving me over.”
I had to compartmentalize Miller—stuff him in a little box full of other fond memories with smooth edges and soft lines. Then I needed to close the box, lock it, and bury it deep inside my mind. Tonight was about Beverly, not about whatever drama this was.
“What? No, she’s not.” He turned as he scanned the room, stopping on Bev, who had just passed the baby back to Mark.
“You just didn’t see her,” I said, pulling my arm away from his grasp. “I’ve got an early morning tomorrow.”
No, I didn’t.
“Have a great night with Celeste.”
Just leave out the details, please.
“I’ll make sure Zach stays out of trouble.”
Even if I have to throat-punch him.
Miller went in for a hug, but I deflected, side-stepping him and walking away before I could unpack his words. Beverly spotted my approach and held up her empty champagne flute, motioning to the bar.
My eyes widened, and I frantically looked toward the spot where I’d last spotted Zach. I didn’t know if I was relieved or panicked that he was nowhere to be found.Relief,I knew, as I laid my almost full glass of wine on the bar top and pressed my hand to my cheek, hoping to dissipate the burn of embarrassment.
“Sweetheart!” Bev cooed, putting her empty flute beside mine and wrapping both arms around me. I returned her embrace as she squeezed me tight before pulling away. “This dress is gorgeous on you.”
“Thank you so much. Happy birthday,” I answered. “This is a fantastic party.”
“It’s even better now that you’re here, but yes, the boys did a great job. So did the party planner, of course. Speaking of the boys, can you believe the tart Miller brought?”
“Tart?” Like I had any room to talk, but luckily, Zach remained elusively absent.
“Yes. Tart. Two of my boys are so happy, but Maverick and Miller absolutely refuse to see what’s right in front of them.”
“I’m going to refrain from commenting, as I’m—”
“Oh, yes, Jenna has filled me in. Such a shame that the school is so behind the times. But honestly, I wish you’d just get together with Miller. I already think of you as a daughter, and that would make it official.”
I snorted, shaking my head. Miller and I could never be any more than what we were. I was notorious for burying myself in my work, and Miller was easygoing and carefree. I needed a personality that matched mine—he was too good of a friend for me to risk what we had over something that had a zero-point-one chance of ever working out.
“Don’t roll your eyes at me, Emma,” she said, accepting another glass of champagne as I shook my head, still on my first. “I’ve seen how perfect you two are for ten years. Have you met Summer? Where did she go? Let me introduce you.”
Bev looked around, and I followed her gaze as it landed on the girl she was talking to earlier. The need to be a happy guest was at war with my need to disappear as fast as I could run in these beer-splattered heels.
“Honey. Are you okay?”
“What? Yes. Of course,” I said, grasping her shoulder as she returned the gesture with a reassuring squeeze.
Her eyebrows furrowed, and she pursed her lips, tilting her head and pinning me with a glare that could rival my mother’s.
“Perhaps not, but now is not the time to sort through all the things mucking up my mind.”
“Hmm. Why don’t you head out early and meet me for lunch next week?” she asked, taking a sip of her refilled drink. The amount of relief that coursed through my body was better than any rush of endorphins.
