“I know it isn’t hers.” Grey nodded at me. “We used to go to these athletic banquets and make fun of people because we hated the airs everyone had because we were dressed up.”
I smiled. “Your team had a fit when you showed up in a tux and Nikes that one year.”
“Nothing has changed.” He gestured to his shoes, which I hadn’t noticed. He wore black Jordans with his fitted black suit.
We laughed, and I could see my best friend again, not my lover. “I should have known. I bet you still don’t own any shoes besides Jordans or spiked shoes.”
He raised his hand. “I plead the fifth.”
Carter cleared his throat, and we sobered as he picked up my hand. “Just wanted to speak and congratulate you on your success.”
“Same to you. A lot has happened in eight years. Rams quarterback, MVP, and possibly Super Bowl ring this year, right?”
Carter half-smiled. “Something like that.”
Grey asked me. “Have you opened up your own pharmacy yet?”
Before I could respond, Carter answered, “We’ve been busy with other endeavors. Good night, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Grey took a step back, clenched his jaw, and nodded.
I gave him a sympathetic glance and allowed my husband to pull me away from him. I took one backward glance over my shoulder. Grey’s eyes sparkled in the light, and I realized they were wet like mine.
Carter’s grip tightened, and I faced forward. The determined set of his jawline and the heat that emanated from his body made me nervous. He said, “I’m driving home.”
“Baby, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I rubbed his arm, hoping my touch could soothe him.
He gave me a long side glance. “Seeing the two of you together has completely sobered me the fuck up. Trust me.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, thinking our interaction had been awkward but polite.
“Fuck,” he muttered as we meandered through the party.
“What, Carter?”
“I need to find Travis before I leave.” Travis was his sports agent. We hadn’t seen him all night, though he was somewhere around the party.
I stopped walking. “Then let’s find him.”
He snorted. “A few minutes ago, you were ready to leave. Now, you’re so willing to hunt for Travis with me. I wonder why.”
“Please. Let’s not go back to the past. Please. We’ve come too far,” I implored while quietly scanning our area. Hoping no one paid attention to the apparent tension between us.
Carter lowered his voice, “Seriously? Because back there, he couldn’t stop staring.”
“I thought he was being respectful. And even if he did stare, we hadn't seen each other in a long time. We were friends for –"
“Seven fucking years,” he cut me off tersely.
“I now have officially known you longer and have shared a life with you. Still sharing.” I reached into his front jacket and tapped his chest playfully as I went into his inside pocket. “Where’s the valet ticket?”
“You know I don’t keep up with shit.” He grinned, though I could see the simmering anger in his eyes.
“Positively horrible. I’ll get the car while you find Travis.” I pulled his chin down and pressed my lips to him. “I love you and only you.”
“Sorry.” His hand cupped my ass. “Did I ever tell you that I’m glad you’re my wife and head of my family?”
I replied smartly, “You need to tell me more.”
He smacked my lips. “You’re right, I do.”
"Go so we can get home." I moved away from him as he backed up, smiling and playfully blowing me a kiss. I captured it and headed toward the valet stand. Thoughts swirled with Carter and Grey, whether my reaction to Grey was about the friendship I missed or the passion we never finished. I had so many questions for Grey. About his life and how he felt when he finally accomplished his lifelong dream. I wanted to catch up like the old friends we had been.
As I described our car to the valet and tried to prove that I was Carter St. Patrick’s wife, a voice called behind me. “He speaks for you now.”
I shuddered involuntarily, and his warm hands gripped my bare shoulders. I closed my eyes, savoring these seconds before I turned around to face him. Seconds where I can pretend he was the one I was going home with for the night. Seconds, I can pretend that it had only been him and me. That I never crushed on Carter and that we didn’t have a family. Seconds where I could pretend we were those best friends who realized we were meant to be together forever. Turning around meant my reality would exist, and he and I could never be together again.
Then Carter and my sweet babies flashed, and I turned around to face my past.
