I slide into my chair next to Trevor right as Chase’s dad, Russell, cracks a joke that has everyone laughing. His once blond hair is completely gray now, smile wrinkles deepening on his ivory face as he titters with everyone else. Across the table from me, Hunter leans back in his seat. His eyes flick to mine with a smirk before looking back at Russell. Just that fast, my insides are flitter-flopping like a month hasn’t passed.
“Hunter, I’m surprised you don’t have a date this weekend,” Russell says. “That’s unlike you.”
“Yeah, well, the one I wanted wasn’t ready.” Hunter looks right at me, and so does everyone else when they realize it. Clearing my throat, I reach for my drink to cool the heat rising up my neck. The quiet chuckle under his breath is loud as hell to my ears, though I doubt anyone else heard it. “I’m gonna grab another drink. Anyone need anything?” Hunter asks, standing from the table. I finally release my breath as he strolls across the room.
There’s movement beside me, but I’m too flustered to realize Trevor’s stood up and Kayla’s taken his place until she says, “Hey, girl, you ready?” She puts her hand on mine, pulling me back into the moment. “Here’s the key. Do you know what you’re going to say?”
I bite my thumbnail and shake my head. “No. But I have to try.”
“Just be honest. With him and with yourself.” She squeezes my hand and smiles. “And if you come out of there single, I’m disowning both of your ridiculous asses. Now go. I’ll handle the rest.”
I smooth my dress nervously as I walk behind the counter. When I unlock the supply room, and the noises from the party disappear, I breathe a sigh of relief. This reprieve is exactly what the doctor ordered. The napkins and straws transition into a sandy beach when I close my eyes.In through the nose, out through the mouth. My breathing mantra loops until I feel calm and clearheaded. It’s now or never, and I have a few more minutes to decide what I want to say.
Affirmation: I believe in myself.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
HUNTER
“Alright…” Trevor rubs his hands together. “Now we gotta figure out how to get you two alone.”
“I still vote for the grand gesture route. Grab that mic and spill your heart out,” Chase says.
I shudder at the thought of having all these extra people in my business. I’m nervous enough as it is. “Bruh, hard pass.”
“Go pull her aside right now.” Trevor nudges me toward the table. “Tell her you want to take her outside.”
Scowling, I shake my head. “Naw, that sounds like I want to fight her in the parking lot.”
“Yeah, that’s not romantic at all, Trev,” Chase says. “He’s supposed to leave an impression, not freak her out even more.”
Ashlie running from me this morning flashes in my mind. As frustrating as it was, I let her go anyway. Technically, I broke the agreement; she asked untilafterthe wedding. But a full day of keeping my hands and eyes to myself has been agonizing. All I want to do is cling to her. I can’t wait until tomorrow.
“You could show up at her parent’s house tonight.” Trevor tries again. “Borrow that boombox over there and blast it outside her bedroom window.”
“See,that’swhat I’m talking about!” Chase gives Trevor a high-five.
“You guys are horrible at this.” Kayla laughs beside me. I’ve been so tuned into the back and forth between these two dummies, I didn’t even see her come over.
“Oh, and you have something better?” Chase cocks his head.
With crossed arms and an arched brow, she cocks her head right back. “I do, and I’ve already put it in motion. Operation: Sunshine will be a success. The three of you can thank me later.”
“How do you know about that?” Trevor asks, wide-eyed.
“For three guys moonlighting as secret spies, you really need to check your surroundings. I heard you scheming through the open kitchen window while I was out on the deck last night.”
“So, you gonna fill us in on your plan, or…?” I ask, impatiently scanning the room for my girl.
“I just sent her to the supply room to find blush-colored forks.”
Blinking at her does nothing to reveal the hidden meaning in her message, and the other two look just as lost as I am. “How the hell is that helpful?” I ask.
“Thereareno blush-colored forks. All the plasticware tonight is champagne-colored.”
I glower at my sister.What the fuck do forks have to do with anything?
Kayla sighs her frustration, twirling her hands around to emphasize her point. “She’s going to be looking for a while. For something that doesn’t exist. Alone.Where no one will bother her…” I still have nothing. “Oh. My. God. Hunter, go to the damn supply room, close the door, and tell her whatever you need to tell her.”
