“It’s good to see you.”
I offer a noncommittal sound and look at Ian, his gaze searching for me around the ballroom. When his eyes find Nick, they darken. His possessiveness offers me the biggest thrill.
I am about to walk over to him when my ex curls his hand around my elbow. I quickly snatch my arm away, not liking his presumptuous touch.
“I thought you wouldn’t mind,” he says self-assuredly.
“We are not together,” I grit out, so done with him. “Excuse me.”
“I wantyou back.”
His words surprise me so much that I burst into laughter. “I thought I wasn’t what you were looking for. Never mind the other thing.” I tried to be a good girlfriend. But it was not enough.
He waves me off as if my argument is not a big deal. Asshole.
“I was wrong. I regret my slip, but you were always working.”
Blaming me. Nothing new there.
Hating that I lost time being with him and tried to make it work with the wrong person, I shrug. “Too bad.” Too late. Too everything.
“Give me another chance,” he insists.
“No.”
Disbelief flashes in his eyes. He always thought of himself as the best catch, but I couldn’t care less.
I am about to walk away when he gets in my face, blocking me.
Nostrils flaring, I glare at him. I am getting pissed when Ian appears by my side, hands in his pockets. He might look unperturbed and calm, but I know him. It’s his eyes narrowing to slits, the muscle in his jaw popping. He’s trying not to lose his cool.
“We were having a conversation,” Nick says smugly.
“And you have to touch her for that?” his voice lowers to icy. I half expect an arctic wind to blast my ex.
I place my palm on Ian’s arm, snapping at Nick. “There’s nothing to talk about.”
His expression hardens. “So, you wouldn’t give me a second chance but prefer to be one in a long list of women?”
I wave him off, wanting to be done already. For the sake of not causing a scene at my best friend’s wedding, I keep my smile on and my voice neutral. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He clicks his tongue. “Good luck, man. You’re going to need it. She’s good at stringing you along.”
What the heck? I compromised so often just to appease him. He seemed so into me at the beginning. Things quickly changed after we became a couple. Nothing I did was good enough. I had to beat his beck and call, and when I wasn’t, he found someone else to spend the night with. It took me months to realize he loved the idea of having a girlfriend, not the responsibility that came with it. It was only on me.
Ian cocks his head, smirking. “Nah, dude. I don’t need luck. It was about the boys she was with before she met me.”
At the dig, Nick’s face reddens, a vein in his neck throbbing.
It shouldn’t give me this much pleasure, but I feel vindicated. I don’t even care if I come across as petty. This asshole did a number on my confidence, and it took Ian to grow back into myself.
Ian places his palm on my back and guides me to the table.
“What would a wedding be without a bit of drama?” he says good-naturedly, trying to ease me, knowing I hate that I gathered attention.
At least I don’t have to worry about Nick trying something else. He wouldn’t risk hisgoodreputation.
Ian pulls out my chair and adds as if reading my mind, “You’d be the center of attention regardless, Lilly. You shine so bright.”
