“Okay,” Ashley says, and I’m not sure if she believes me, but I appreciate that she’s not pushing me for a real answer.
Hugging her, I congratulate her once again and leave the resort.
During the drive home, my determination to look back on my time with Tritan as nothing more than a fond memory wavers. Iwant to be as casual about the whole thing as I’m sure he is, but with each mile I put between us, the more my chest aches with the certainty that my feelings for Tristan are too strong to get over easily.
I have no choice and one day, I’ll look back knowing I’m over the man that was never mine to begin with.
I hope.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Tristan
Brunch is amuch bigger event than the previous meals we’ve had in the resort’s restaurant. Instead of it just being the wedding party, the thank-you brunch is for all the wedding guests who attended. Eric’s parents reserved half the tables in the restaurant, and when I arrive, most of them are full.
I look around for Kaylee. She wasn’t in bed when I woke up this morning and I was disappointed. Though I texted her to find out where she’d gone, she didn’t respond. Assuming she made plans with Rainey or Ashley this morning and forgot to mention it to me, I showered, dressed, and headed downstairs. But both women are here, and Kaylee is nowhere to be seen. I walk to the table where Rainey and Lucas are sitting with Paige and Cindy, the woman who was hitting on me last night. I don’t give her a second glance as I focus on Rainey.
“Hey, you two. Have you seen Kaylee this morning?” I ask, interrupting her conversation with Lucas. It’s rude, but I’m worried. Kaylee should be here. “I haven’t been able to find her this morning.”
Rainey frowns and looks around as if just realizing Kaylee isn’t present. “No, I haven’t spoken to her today.”
“I did,” Ashley says from the table behind me, where she’s sitting with Mark and his girlfriend. “She came by my room this morning to tell me she was heading home early.”
I frown. “What? When was this?”
Ashley shrugs. “Maybe an hour ago? She didn’t tell you?”
“No. No, she didn’t.”Why the hell didn’t she wake me before she left?
She didn’t even say goodbye. We both live in Miami and have mutual friends, so it’s not like we’ll never see each other again, but I still thought we’d have a conversation about where this thing between us is going. It couldn’t have meant nothing to her. She’s not a casual-relationship type of woman, which is why I was surprised things went as far as they did between us. But I didn’t think to question it, assuming we could talk Sunday morning.
Mark snickers. “That’s rough, man. Kaylee might’ve dumped me, but at least she had the decency to do it to my face, like I mattered. Sheghosted you.”
“Shut up,” I snap, aware we’re drawing attention. “You don’t know anything about me and Kaylee.”
“I know enough. I warned her about you.”
I stiffen. Surprise rushes through me, but then again, I shouldn’t be shocked Mark would try and sabotage things between me and Kaylee. “What did you say to her?” I take a step toward him, and he jumps to his feet, while Eric stares back and forth between us, clearly concerned he’s going to have to break up a fight. “What exactly did youwarnher about?” I ask.
“Yeah, Mark,” his girlfriend says, her voice hard. “What did you tell her?”
Mark hesitates, but there are too many eyes on him for him to back down now without losing face.
He shrugs. “I just told her what I overheard you saying to Lucas about how she’s not your usual type.” His shoulders lower and he’s lost some of his confidence, but his eyes are hard as he glares at me. “Kaylee’s the type to settle down, you know. Everyone knows you’re not.”
“I know more about Kaylee than you do, no matter how much longer you dated her,” I say, taking a step closer. Only about afoot of space separates us now, and I see Eric and Lucas both tense, both prepared to step in if things get physical. “And I know you blew it by refusing to commit to her, but I won’t make that same mistake.”
“You won’t want to settle for Kaylee,” he says, but he must see the sincerity in my eyes because he doesn’t sound so sure.
I cock an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t be settling. I’d be lucky to have her, and unlike you, I’m going to make sure she knows it. So, get rid of any thoughts you have of reconciling with her because she’s my girl now.”
Mark glares at me, but I turn away, done with this conversation. Besides, based on the angry look on his girlfriend’s face, he has more important things to worry about and I’m guessing that relationship will end soon.
I clap Eric on the shoulder. “Congratulations, man. You’re a lucky guy. Now, I’ve got to go find Kaylee.”
“Good luck,” Ashley calls out as I hurry out of the restaurant.
I have a feeling that luck is exactly what I’m going to need.
