Why did the universe have to make her so beautiful? It’s a little annoying at this point. She’s like the dessert tray at a restaurant, all look but don’t touch, smell but don’t taste.
Fucking hellish.
Inside the restaurant entrance, someone shouts my name, stopping me dead in my tracks.
“Asher? Is that you?”
I turn toward the voice, the one belonging to the man of the hour, and paste on a smile.
“Holy shit.” Julian beams and offers me a hand to shake. “I didn’t think you’d come.”
I laugh. “Why not? I RSVPed.”
“I don’t know, man. Been a long time.”
He releases my hand, still grinning. He’s wearing light gray chinos, a white button-up and an obnoxious amount of stubble. I know nothing about his life, but he looks rich and happy and very Italian, even though he was born right herein this cesspool of America. He doesn’t quite smile but alwaysappearsto be smiling.
The guy is insufferably charming. It’s unfair.
Julian’s dark eyes travel to my companion, and I remember I’m supposed to introduce her.
“Oh. Julian, this is Jocelyn, my, um... my... friend?”
Wow. Smooth.
Joss’s smile falters only a moment, and she shakes Julian’s hand. “You’re the groom? Congratulations!”
“Thanks. It’s nice to meet you.” He twists and searches through the people behind him—the room is quickly filling—then motions toward someone. “Grace! Look who I found.”
She emerges from the crowd like a goddamn angel, lookingexactlyhow I remember her. Wavy hair, flawlessly styled with silver glitter sparking along the brown strands. Golden freckles over her nose. Kind eyes gleaming with joy. She practically lights up at the sight of me.
I got nothing. Not even a spark. Teensy worry that feelings might return is thankfully laid to rest.
But no wonder I was so confused back then. Grace twinkles when she smiles. Happiness looks fantastic on her.Good on you, Julian.
Really drives home the fact that Jocelyndoesn’tlook like that around me. With Julian, Grace has come to life. With me, Jocelyn stands at balcony rails and laments over the danger of love.
My ironic laugh is mistaken for a real one, thank god, and Grace smiles.
“Asher!” She leaps into my arms, then backs away. She cups her hands around my face. “Look at you. You look good.”
“Hey, Gracey-kins. Long time, no see. You’re beautiful, as always.”
She releases me. At once, a hand sneaks into mine, fingers lacing.
Is she—is Jocelyn holding my hand?
WTF?
Still beaming, Grace looks at Joss. “Who’s this? Is this your girlfriend, Asher? She’s pretty. You’re pretty.”
“They’re just friends,” Julian offers, but he has a weird glint in his eye that tells me heknows.
He always fucking knows. Too observant, this guy.
I meet his mirthful stare as Joss says, “Thanks. I’m Jocelyn.” She puts on an Audrey Hepburn accent. “I’m madly in love with Asher, but he refuses to DTR.”
I roll my eyes, and Julian snorts.
