“Her ex-boyfriend showed up with an emotional speech about wanting her back, and she’s going with him. That wasn’t what I had in mind for ending things.”
“You can talk and tap ‘pay’ at the same time…” I pointed to his phone. “I can show you, if you like.”
“Why would you get her ex involved?”
“Wrong question.” I grabbed his phone before it could lock and tapped on his wallet icon. “You should be asking yourself, why does it matter who she’s with now, since you didn’t want her? Or, you could ask why you couldn’t just tell her the truth from the beginning.”
“I’m not referring you to anyone I know,” he said. “Ever.”
“Six thousand...” I typed the number, double-checked it, and sent it to myself before returning his phone. “You’re welcome.”
“Now, everyone will think that I’m some sort of cuck.”
“Better that than a coward.” I turned away and left before I could say anything else.
I was halfway to the exit when I saw the bride—still dressed in her wedding gown—rushing toward a blue convertible with a guy in jeans.
This was one of few times when I didn’t feel as guilty for messing things up.
A group of bridesmaids suddenly rushed past me, and then I saw…her. The bane of my existence in a light grey dress that clung to her curves in all the right places.
Her honey-colored hair fell past her shoulders in soft curls, and I felt the sudden urge to wrap it around my fist.
Her eyes were puffy—as if she was the one who’d lost today—but I knew it was really because no one would get to see her over-the-top work for the reception.
I slid a pair of shades over my eyes and turned to walk the other way, but it was too late.
Her mouth dropped open, and she rushed over, her stilettos clacking across the concrete.
“Oh good,” she said. “Here I was thinking maybe this was some second-chance romance coming together at the worst time, but… It’s you again.”
“We don’t have to talk every time we cross paths, Katie.”
“This is number three this year, Asher.” She scowled. “This. Year.”
“It’s always a pleasure seeing you.” I smiled. “You’ve cut your hair since I saw you.”
“I did…I hope you hate it.”
“Iloveit.” I was tempted to touch it. “It looks very good on you. Does your boyfriend like running his fingers through it?”
“He’sobsessed with it,” she said, and I immediately regretted asking.
“Does your girlfriend like what you’ve done with yourself lately?” she countered. “Adding more broken hearts to your collection?”
“I don’t do girlfriends.”
“Just casual sex?”
“I haven’t had sex in a long time.”
“Society thanks you for not spreading STDs.”
Okay, enough of this woman for today… I stepped closer against my better judgment.
“You know, you and I could’ve been such good friends if you weren’t so hostile every time you saw me.”
“You make a living ruining months of my work, Asher. We can never be friends.”
