Page 57 of When the Smoke Clears

Maybe talking about the kiss would be easier.

“Thank you,” I murmur.

A slow smile tugs at her lips. “For the depressing dose of reality or the kiss?”

I shrug. “They feel like one and the same.”

Everleigh rolls her eyes with a tiny headshake.

“I should not have kissed you,” I say in all seriousness.

“You didn’t. I kissed you.” She folds her hands in her lap.

“I participated.”

She studies me for a few seconds before returning a slow nod.

“I can’t forget the past,” I say. “But more than that, I’m still twelve years older than you. And I am a good son, so I might have to move to Somers to help take care of my dad. And let’s be honest, you’re too smart for me.”

Again, she offers a single, slow nod. So I turn and open her door.

“Will, I’m scared too. And I know the night that stands out in your head is our last night together, but I will never forget the rehearsal dinner.”

My lips part, and I take a quick breath as I prepare to turn back toward her and make a case for why I’m not scared despite what she thinks. But I don’t want to argue with her. It won’t change how I feel, and I doubt it will change her feelings either.

“I shouldn’t have cockblocked you. It won’t happen again.” I open the door without looking back. It’s time to get laid.

Chapter Twenty

Eleven years earlier . . .

“Fancy seeing you here,” Everleigh said from behind me as the wedding party gathered outside of the Stanford Faculty Club for the rehearsal in the courtyard.

It was an intimate setting nestled in the majestic trees and manicured greenery, accented with string lights for ambience. I turned, unable to hide my grin. She had twisted her hair into a bun, with a few strands around her face. All the bridesmaids wore floral dresses in bright colors and patterns. Perfectly mismatched. Everleigh’s was light purple with dark-purple polka dots and thin straps that crisscrossed in front and tied around her neck.

“Hmm, have we met?” I scratched my chin.

“It’s every girl’s dream to be so unforgettable.” She clasped her hands behind her back and swayed side to side, her dress rocking like a church bell.

“Listen.” I glanced around. “Tyler asked me to be a good friend, a groomsman, and nothing else. Specifically, he asked me not to break anyone’s heart this weekend. So can we just keep this between us? You know . . . what’s happened or about to happen?”

“Yes,” she said so quickly my head reared back an inch.

“Okay then. Glad to know we’re on the same page,” I said with a chuckle.

“What I mean is Victoria basically said the same thing to me.”

“She’s worried you might break someone’s heart?”

“Well”—Everleigh stood straight, making her maybe a half inch taller, but still a short stack—“yes. Why the look? Do you doubt I could be a heartbreaker?”

I rubbed my fingers over my lips and smoothed my mustache while shaking my head. “Nope. Not at all. In fact, I was a little heartbroken that you had a bridal shower last night.”

“Because you couldn’t play video games with me?”

“Yes. Gaming. That’s what I wanted to do with you last night.”

“I thought so.” She winked.