My palm flies up. “It’s clear.”
“Will you think about it?”
Getting attacked between my teeth, my lip takes a beating as I figure out my words. “It’s that or run away.”
In a flash, Stone kisses me, and naturally I kiss him back with the same devotion and murmur as his hands hold my head while his body pulls me tightly close. It’s long and deep, never-ending, the way I love.
Then he pulls away, his lips brushing against mine. He whispers against them, “I should go.” I can’t answer, especially when he creates space with one last hold of our eyes. This time he is giving me a seriousness that I’ve never seen before.
Watching him walk away, a mixed feeling stirs inside me.
Only made worse when he stops short, his fingers on the door handle. He half turns to give me one last glance.
“I’m surprised you haven’t realized that we get another signature trope from those romance books you write.”
“What’s that?”
The corner of his mouth hitches up slightly. “He falls first.”
Then he’s off.
Leaving me to ponder a future with him.
19
STONE
“It’s complicated,” I say to my brother as the group of his friends stands to leave us alone outside. It’s Vaughn’s wedding, rain clouds left us and the night is descending with a clear sky overhead. We’ve been sitting on the terrace of the Dizzy Duck smoking cigars and enjoying whiskey.
And what an ass I am for dredging it all up.
My brother gets comfortable in his lounge seat, because apparently, he is okay with leaving his bride inside while he gives me a moment to hash out my current woes. Except, it won’t take a moment; I could go on forever.
“You were hoping Harlow would be here as your plus-one?”
I sigh, and my head lolls to the side. “We’re kind of in a confusing place, but I still sent her an invite.”
It went something likeHarlow, Can we call a pause on making decisions for a second? Vaughn’s wedding is coming up and a plus-one only feels right if it’s you.
To which she replied,Maybe.
He smirks. “I’m aware that you were planning on having a plus-one since I gave you the green light to bring someone on your arm and the extra seat for your guest was all planned. There was a group of women in my living room discussing the dinner table seating map for the wedding, and it was beyond exhausting. Wow, some real truths about people were shared. I wasn’t even involved, just grabbing a beer from the fridge, and it felt like a freaking reality show episode.” I can tell that he’s not even joking.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have asked. Space is probably what I should give her, especially since I only got a one-word answer, and I didn’t want to press.” I take a decent swig from my whiskey glass, leaving the bottom dry.
My brother evaluates me for a good few seconds. “I think that... you’re both trying to navigate what to do. At this moment, it still feels promising. Nobody has walked away yet. You’re in a confused state, probably because you both want to put in the effortto havea future.”
“One could hope. Anyhow, she isn’t here, and it’s your big day. It was a beautiful and short wedding, and your kid might have stolen the show.” I throw him a grin.
Vaughn has a hint of fondness over his face, and it only grows as he sips from his whiskey then sets the glass down. “You’ll have all of that one day. I’m sure of it. Give it a little more time, and if it’s too unbearable, then what’s the saying? If you let it go, maybe it will return… or some shit like that.” He stands and loosens the top button on his shirt.
“I probably shouldn’t be asking you. You are in a loved-up and optimistic mood today, with a wedding night about to go down.” I wink at him and stand.
Vaughn squeezes my shoulder in passing. “Shouldn’t that all be hopeful for you?” His eyes seem to be searching for Isla through the window, and he spots her as his lips curl. “By the way, you should check out the cake. Chocolate with white cream cheese icing. The cake of dreams.”
I watch him walk away, and I look out at the lake that is lit up with hanging lights and lanterns along the dock. Damn, they did good with their magical nuptial setting.
My feet pivot, and when I’m inside, I beeline for the bar to order another whiskey. While I wait, I turn to lean against the counter and take in everyone having a good time.
