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Atlas shakes his head while the corners of his lips twitch. He heard it too. “No, he actually offered to drive Olivia’s car back to the city for them, since they had both their vehicles here.” He pauses for a second before adding, “Dude, I wouldn’t invite you to ride with me so we can talk if I wasn’t going to be alone.”

I nod with a tight-lipped smile, taking in a quick breath, ready to move on. “Alright, man, want to leave around eleven?”

Atlas smiles in return, and I catch the hint of relief in his expression before it quickly disappears. “That sounds great.”

After a pause that feels awkward to me, Atlas walks away, and from then, I’m caught in conversation after conversation for what feels like the next five hours. Though in actuality it’s probably closer to one.

First up was Atlas’s mom, Hazel, who came over to not so subtly remind me that I used to be a good person. Before I abandoned her son. A fact I didn’t bother defending. Next I had Hunter’s parents, followed by my mom and one of her friends, Hunter’s cousins, Olivia’s friend from college, and Atlas’s teammates.

I was stuck with a revolving door of people, when the only person I wanted to talk to was always far away.

When I’m finally granted some respite, I immediately escape, walking to the farthest part of the gardens, taking a moment away from the noise. I’ve just inhaled a deep breath as a glimpse of orange catches my eye, and my pulse picks up speed. It could be any one of the bridesmaids in their matching burnt-orange dresses. Hell, it could be my sister. Yet, before I’ve lifted my gaze to her face, I know that it’s Lily. It’s like the energy surrounding me changes whenever she’s near. I felt it the first night we were together at the bar, and again yesterday when we were talking at the rehearsal dinner.

I can’t explain it. I just feel it whenever she’s around.

With a manicured finger resting against her lightly glossed lips, she’s lost in thought as I finally look up. And I take a moment to study her features, my eyes drawn to the dusting of freckles across her nose and the pinkish hue coating her cheeks.

I’m quiet as I walk over, trying not to startle her, but she turns before I’ve made a sound, as though she feels the same buzz that I do.

A soft smile graces her face, and her mouth curls, drawing my eyes, my lips tingling at the memory of our kiss. A kiss I want to reenact more than anything in the world.

“You’re here?” she whispers, her voice wistful as if she can’t quite believe it. “You’re a popular man. I’ve been trying to catch you since my official duties came to an end.”

“Trust me when I say I have not been encouraging that.”

“Oh, I know. Even if we hadn’t spoken about it in Vegas, Henley’s mentioned it a few times.”

A quiet laugh shoots through me as I shake my head. “I bet she has. Little Miss Socialite can’t seem to understand that not everyone is like her.”

“Not to claim to know her better than you do, but I have to disagree. I’m nothing like Henley, and she’s never once expected me to be.”

“Good.”

“Good?”

“Yes, I’m happy she sees you for who you really are. And I’m happy you’re nothing like her.”

“Oh, yeah?” Mischief flickers in the light of Lily’s eyes, and it’s a side of her I haven’t seen before. “Why’s that?”

“Because then it’s not awkward when I do this.” Cupping her face, I lean forward and brush my lips against hers, softly caressing her tender skin before pulling away. “I’m sorry, I⁠—”

Lily cuts me off as her fingers curl into the material of my shirt and she pulls me against her, sealing our lips in a passionate kiss. A breath traps in the back of my throat as a gravelly groan releases from within me, vibrating against her mouth. Her lips part, granting me entry, and our tongues swirl with a feverish heat.

I curl a hand behind her back, pulling her impossibly close, freeing us of the remaining space that dared to linger between us.

Lily mewls and her hold on me loosens, her body molding with mine, and I can’t stop the sigh that escapes me.

I have never wanted anyone like I want Lily. Never felt the spark, the urge, the desire. And I’m dangerously close to forgetting why I’ve spent so long avoiding those feelings.

Guilt gnaws away at me but I refuse to pull away, kissing her with all I have until she breathlessly steps back, her fingers brushing against her mouth as her face flushes.

“God, I’m⁠—”

I shake my head, anticipating her words. “Please don’t apologize. I wanted that just as much as you did.”

I want more.

A smile tugs at her lips, but she hides it behind her hand, shying away. “That may be so, but I have never been that forward.”