I walk in, my head pounding from a hellacious hangover, and Wes stands up as if he’s going to hug me. But I just glare at him, and he looks back at me likeI’mthe one who fucked up.
“Hey,” he says, as if he didn’t fuck a stranger on a prep table less than twenty-four hours ago.
My brain is reeling and the only word I manage is, “Hi.”
He sits. I sit. There’s a second where I wonder if either of us is going to say another word.
Why did I agree to this?
He goes first. “You look good. Is that a new hoodie?” He says it with such transparent insincerity that I almost laugh.
“It’s a hoodie from high school,” I deadpan, as the waitress sets down my usual latte. “How are you?”
“Not great,” he mumbles. “I feel horrible.”
“Probably the hangover.” I carefully scoot my latte closer to me.
“So…” Wes adjusts his coffee cup so it sits perfectly in the ring of condensation left by the last patron.
“So,” I echo, my eyes shifting to the window. The sidewalk is alive with dogs on leashes and joggers with headphones, all of them looking like their lives are way better than mine right now.
He clears his throat. “Look, I know this is weird. But I wanted to see you, you know, in person. Face to face. I know you said we were over…” He makes solid eye contact for the first time since I walked in.
Hedoeslook like shit. He’s got dark circles under his eyes and a scowl on his face. My mind jumps to Beck, with his gorgeous mouth and twinkling green eyes.
I push the thought away, trying to shake that encounter off. It wasjusta hookup.
Wes leans in, voice pitched low. “Look, what happened at the wedding… I know it looked bad.” He pauses. “It was bad. But it wasn’t—like—it wasn’t about you.”
I feel my jaw tighten as I clench my teeth. “Okaaay.”
He gestures with both hands. “I got wasted. I barely even remember—like, seriously, it’s all a blur. And you know how weddings are, right? Everyone’s drunk, everyone’s horny. I didn’t even know that girl’s name.” He laughs, like it’s all just hilarious.
I stare at him, wanting to punch him. “Her name is Ellie,” I say. “She’s Elizabeth’s cousin. I figured you’d know that with how much you talked to her before the wedding.”
He blinks. “Oh. Huh. I guess that makes sense.”
We sit in silence for a few seconds, staring at each other like we weren’t saying we loved each other a day ago. The waitress brings a croissant Wes ordered, sets it down, and I watch as Wes immediately shreds it into small pieces.
And to think, I wanted to move in with this asshole.
I decide to try and wrap this up. “Anyway, I figure Riley and I can come get what I have at your place. I can do it while you’re at work.”
“Or whenever.” He shrugs and then eyes me. “You find anything jobwise today?”
I flinch. “No. Not yet. But I’ll start looking.” I take another sip of my latte, wishing I could melt into the booth and disappear.
He nods, then starts in again. “I just don’t want you to hate me forever over this. It wasn’t a thing, Mads. It was just a stupid mistake.” He holds his hands up like he’s surrendering. “Can’t we just… move past it? I can make sure I never get drunk again.”
I laugh, and the sound comes out strangled and awkward. “You cheated on me at a wedding. I think moving past it is a little optimistic.”
His face hardens. “But I said I was sorry.”
“No,” I argue, my entire body tensing. “You said you were drunk, and then you tried to blame it on me being weird lately.” I grip my mug. “You haven’t apologized. You haven’t even asked how I’m doing. You’re playing the victim of your own stupidity.”
He opens his mouth, but nothing comes out.
“I lost my job. I might lose my apartment. I lost you.” I set my cup down with a thud that sloshes the hot coffee over the sides. “You know whatyoulost? Nothing. You never thought this was going to last anyway.”
