Billy’s eyes burned as he studied me. I felt certain he noted my upscale outfit, along with the taming of my hair and makeup. “It’s nice to see you,” he stammered, raising his left arm before catching himself and lowering it to his side. Becoming aware he’d jumped to his feet at my approach, he took a calming breath and sat back down.
“You too,” I replied. Even though it wasn’t nice. It was the opposite of nice, running into thisWolf of Wall Streetversion of Billy—William—in the middle of my workday. It was disconcerting and nausea-inducing. Every wrong thing about allowing myself to imagine possibilities with him came barreling to the forefront of my mind. I was a stupid fool. A terrible thing to realize, considering I’d taken so much pride in not being foolish.
Billy didn’t dispel the uncomfortable air. He just stared at me.
If he thought I was going to smile and make small talk, he was sorely mistaken. I wasn’t going to help him out. I waited. He owed me more words.
Finally, he darted his eyes at his companion before speaking to me. “I know I should have texted more,” he began. “Except I wasn’t sure—” He looked at the blond again. “I couldn’t—”
Billy gulped audibly as his gaze raked over me again. His regard shone nakedly, the longing so unmistakable I couldn’t excuse it as anything else. I’d been right. He wanted me. The evidence of his desire should have felt like vindication. But it didn’t. It just pissed me off. Because I was more confused than ever.
He swallowed hard. “I didn’t know how—”
The blond huffed exasperatedly. She was done. Done with his clumsiness. Done with him looking at me like I was his favorite flavor of ice cream.
“I’m Rosalyn,” she said, tossing her hair and reaching her arm out. “William’s fiancée.”
Chapter five
LAST YEAR
Will
It seemed impossible, but she’d somehow grown more beautiful in four years.
Her hair shone a rich, decadent auburn under the bright lights of the auditorium, not the honey-brown I remembered. Her sophisticated long-sleeved black dress fit like a glove, the sleek material standing out in an ocean of rainbow-hued puffy coats and holiday sweaters. As she leaned out to say hello to a womanpassing by in the aisle, her movements seemed different, more subdued.
I drank in the sight greedily. Of course, I should have expected she wouldn’t be in combat boots and heavy makeup like the night we’d spent together. Or flustered and rushing as she’d been that terrible day in the hotel lobby. This woman was polished and controlled. But as I watched her lips moving, unconsciously mouthing the words to the Christmas carols playing over the PA, I smiled. Definitely Mo.
No.Maureen.
My heart hammered into my throat. Even though I’d been ninety-nine percent sure she’d be here, I had no control over the way the reality of seeing her affected my body. I itched to go over there and explain myself. She might never forgive me, but I wanted to say my piece. Four years ago, Mo hadn’t stayed one nanosecond beyond Rosalyn cattily announcing our engagement. She’d also immediately blocked my texts, so I’d never been able to talk to her.
Not that I had anything magical to offer. No tidy explanation to excuse what I’d done. I’d once messaged her a cowardly “I’m sorry.” I owed her those words to her face. She might give me a knee to the groin—I’d never forget the way she handled that frat bro at the bar—but I deserved it.
Standing in the shadows near the back of the cavernous room gave me enough cover to stare somewhat blatantly. I watched as her lip sync turned into delicate chuckling at something Marley said. Even her laughter was elegant.
“Hey, man. Are you okay?” Leo came up on my left side. “You look kinda red.”
“I’m fine. Just hot in here after being so cold outside.”
Leo nodded but slipped a bottle of water into my hand anyway. He was a good guy, always had been.
Last week, I’d reconnected with my former best friend James at our ten-year high school reunion. Back in the day, I’d been tight with his family as well. When I’d run into James’s parents and his brother Leo in the parking lot half an hour ago, we’d all been pleasantly surprised. But it made sense they’d be here to support James on his big night.
“We’re still trying to hang in the back,” Leo said. “I don’t want the big guy to see us until after he does his thing. Don’t want to make him more nervous.”
I chuckled. James’s nerves were probably at critical mass over what he was about to do. I still couldn’t believe my old friend was planning such a public gesture.
Marley, a fellow teacher, had been James’s plus-one at the reunion. As he’d faced our bullies from a decade ago, he’d drawn heavily on her silent support. Unlike him, I’d had dealings with a few of our former classmates over the years, my role at Wallingford Capital occasionally bringing me into their orbit. But I hadn’t put a period on those high school days until James and I did so together last Saturday.
That night had gone so well I’d been shocked to learn he and Marley weren’t a bona fide couple. Tonight, James wanted to rectify that. He’d texted a few days ago asking me to make a sign on a posterboard giving a reason I thought he and Marley were a perfect match, and then send a picture of me holding it. Apparently, his plan was to collect as many of these pictures as possible from friends and family, and then assemble the images into a slideshow to prove to Marley they were meant to be together. He’d be debuting the slideshow this evening, at the Coleman Creek High School Holiday Talent Show, while he sung in front of the standing-room-only crowd.
I felt flattered he’d asked me to take part, considering up until last weekend, we hadn’t spoken in a decade. I’d left behind so much of my youth, especially after the accident, but I wantedto reclaim my friendship with James. Reflexively, I removed my right hand from my pocket and stretched out its three digits, using my opposite hand to massage the two stumps of my ring and pinky fingers.
The show began on a high note, with an older man doing an incredible rendition of “Snow.” There were dancers and singers. A shy-seeming blond boy absolutely killed it on the guitar.
I imagined James would be surprised to see me. And I wouldn’t have come, would have left it at sending the picture. That had been my plan, anyway.
