Page 51 of Miss Belief

My gaze didn’t leave hers. She couldn’t know how much I appreciated her absolute promise. “Thank you.” I couldn’t stop myself from then suggesting, “You should probably kiss me. Lots of people looking.”

She didn’t disappoint, laying her hand against my chest and taking my lips without hesitation. Jesus. When she pulled away, I was hard pressed to let her.

“Sorry about your lip gloss. You’ll probably have to reapply it.”

“Any kiss worth having should mean I have to reapply my lip gloss.”

She took my offered arm and walked with me into the hotel lobby. “I want to say one more thing about Chance, and then I’ll drop it.”

“What is it?” I asked.

“Remember that any reaction you have to him will make it seem as though you’re still hung up on your ex.”

I weighed her words. “I’m not hung up on her, you know.” I wasn’t sure who I was trying to convince, me or her, but I needed a change of subject. “Phil was talking about getting dinner next door after this. You up for it?”

“Of course. That’s what I’m here for, to be your date.”

“After being around this crowd, I wouldn’t blame you if you’re ready to call it a night.”

“I’m okay. How do you feel after seeing the ex?”

“Fine. She wants to talk tonight, but it’s just a closure thing.”

Her body stiffened almost like she was jealous, but I was sure I had to be reading her wrong.

“Are you upset?”

She pasted on a smile. “No, of course not. You should do what you want. But do me a favor?”

“Sure.”

“Don’t make a fool of me. I may be here as your fake girlfriend, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have some pride invested here. If you want to get back with your ex, please don’t do it until after the wedding.”

I was already shaking my head, adamant that wasn’t ever happening. “I’m not—” But we were already getting interrupted by Phil and Ellen.

“Hi, you guys planning on dinner?” Phil asked.

“We were just discussing. Teagan, this is Phil, and I take it you already met Ellen. And this is my girlfriend, Teagan.” It was starting to get easier to roll off the tongue.

Phil and Ellen were good people, both of them now living in the DC area where they taught at a local university.

Two hours later, after enjoying dinner, we moved the party to one of the hotel bars. Thankfully, the bride and Vanessa had plans that didn’t bring them to either of the locations we’d chosen. That meant I was less on edge and could actually enjoy myself. And more importantly, Teagan seemed to be having fun. It was great to see her in her element, her face flushed from a couple drinks, unregretful about ordering the pasta dish, laughing, and holding her own. I admired the way she was always true to herself. No pretense. No bullshit. Not for the first time, I realized how easy it was to be with her. Hell, Phil had even whispered to me earlier how much more relaxed I seemed to be. Sadly, he was right. Why hadn’t I seen it sooner? I’d been under immense stress while with my ex. I could never do anything to her liking, no matter how hard I tried.

I pulled my phone out when it buzzed and immediately sighed at the notification. It figured. First chance in years I’d truly enjoyed a night out with my friends, and Vanessa would find a way to ruin it, sending me a text reminder she wanted to meet.

“Your nuts warm?” Teagan whispered with a grin.

I tried to return her smile. “They are. But are you ready to call it a night?” I took the last sip of my beer.

Phil downed the last of his drink too. “We should call it a night too. Golf is early tomorrow. We need to leave by seven for an eight a.m. tee time.”

We both went our separate ways to opposite towers of the hotel.

Although Teagan and I were in the elevator alone, I enjoyed the way she kept hold of my hand. “Did you have a good time?”

Her smile was genuine. “I did. I worried earlier you might be surrounded by assholes, but Phil and Ellen are awesome.”

“There’s still plenty of assholes, but thankfully Phil and Ellen are the exception.” We walked toward our room, and I slipped the key card into the door to let her precede me inside. Dammit, why did I feel guilty for what I was about to say? I hesitated at the door.