“Friends? Well, is Nathan a good guy? Friends wouldn’t let friends be taken advantage of by a jerk, right?” Sofia asked, her teasing tone clear to anyone within earshot.
I wished I could say he was a jerk, but I’d seen him step up and be a team player more times than I could count since he started. He volunteered at homeless shelters with his church and had dinner with his grandparents every Sunday.
The jerk.
I mean, not jerk. Shoot, he was a great guy. A great first boyfriend for someone as inexperienced as Vicky.
If that were true, why did the thought make me feel like I was breaking out in hives?
“Honey, are you alright? Your nostrils are flaring.” Thanks, Mom.
“Fine, I’m fine. Gonna look for MJ,” I spit out.
“Oh, look. He’s making his move,” Sofia said excitedly. I no longer liked my sister-in-law.
Don’t look. Don’t engage. Retreat! Retreat!
And just as I expected, my gaze shot over to where Vicky stood and I saw Nathan gingerly grab the daisy that had fallen from her hair and gently push it back behind her ear.
Where were my fire-breathing powers when I needed them?
I took a deep breath and looked away, walking off in no particular direction. Anywhere that didn’t involve watching Vicky’s smile, the one I’d seen close up, as it was given to another man. It was irrational how much anger I felt. I wasn’t a jealous man, not even with Katy. She was a beautiful woman and sometimes attracted other men’s attention, butthis? This all-consuming rage was new to me.
The music drifted through the backyard, soft and low beneath the hum of voices and laughter. When I reached the patio door, Leyla was walking toward me. She was Luke’s best friend, both of them a few years younger than me, but she’d been like a sister to me for years. When Lukestepped back from his CEO duties at Earth Organix, Leyla easily took his place. She was smart, witty, and beautiful.
Luke and Sofia joined me when they saw her, all of us hugging in greeting.
“Thanks for coming, CEO lady,” I teased, making her smack my arm.
“Sorry I’m late. Had an issue with a vendor in New York. The house is perfect, Miles. I’m so happy for you and MJ. She’s kicking butt in there,” she answered, pointing to where MJ was surrounded by my tech team playing video games.
“They won’t know what hit them.”
“You doing okay, girl?” Sofia asked, squeezing her hand. Luke had told me she and her longtime boyfriend, Ethan, had broken up.
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t worry about me. It’s a party,” Leyla answered, but I knew her well enough to know that her smile wasn’t authentic. “Just need to keep working. It’s all I have time for right now.”
“Still glad you took my job, boss lady?” Luke teased.
“Ask me again on Monday morning,” she answered, making us all laugh.
“Sure you’re okay? I can go beat him up for you,” I joked, trying to make her smile.
“Nah, not worth it. I’m just tired. Maybe I need a vacation.”
“He just wasn’t the right one for you. You’ll find that special someone when the time is right. And yeah, I think some time off is just what you need,” Sofia said.
Leyla’s eyes flitted between Sofia and Luke. I knew that look. It was the one where you’re happy for the people you care about finding love, but can’t help the way it made your own loneliness even deeper.
“In the meantime, there’s always work, caffeine and Netflix, right?” she said.
“We need a girls’ night real soon. You, me, and Jaz. Oh and Vicky, if she’s free,” Sofia said.
“Come on, let’s get out of this funky mood. It’s a party. Yes, introduce me to her. She’s all MJ talked about when Angelica brought her by the office last week.”
“Oh, she’s fantastic. I think she’s found a love connection tonight. Let’s go find you one,” my soon to be ostracized sister-in-law said. I growled as they walked away, Leyla giving her a confused look.
“She’s going to tell everyone,” I grumbled to Luke.
