He took a swig of his drink and scanned the crowd, his face folding into a scowl. “Isn’t that one of those assholes we met at the hotel in Buckhead?”
Cara followed his gaze, terrified she would see Erik. The last thing she needed this week was her asshole ex-boyfriend.
“I don’t see–”
A man stepped under one of the torches lining the pool, and her body relaxed. “Colin!” She lifted her hand, and he made his way toward them. “You scared me for a second. I thought you meant Erik.” She said under her breath to Wes.
Wes didn’t seem reassured. “What’s he doing here?”
“Our mothers were friends back in the day. Well, frenemies might be a better term. When Ursula married Colin’s father, they lost touch, but I guess they’ve reconnected. Yes, there they are.” Cara pointed. “The tall brunette speaking to my mother, that’s her husband standing to the side, with the red hair. He’s a banker in London.”
“I’m so glad I saw you,” Colin exclaimed when he reached them. “Listening to my mom and Corinne try to one up each other is painful.” He chuckled, then stuck his hand out to Wes. “Colin Stewart.”
Wes clasped his hand—too firmly, if Colin’s wince was any sign. “We’ve met.”
“It was a terrible night. I’m sorry again.” He said to Cara. “There is something about you that still gets to Erik. Can’t say I blame him.” He gave her a little smile and snuck a glance at her breasts before he turned to watch the crowd. “Are you staying here?”
Cara nodded. “You?”
“No, my father took a house nearby. She’d never admit it, but I think my mom couldn’t stand the thought your mom was in a private home and she was in a hotel.”
Cara shook her head with a laugh. “At some point, you’d think they would outgrow their competition.”
“Never. I think they will compete for who has the best-attended funeral,” Colin joked.
“You’re probably right.” She noticed that Wes’s attention had strayed to the guests on the patio. Melody and Luca stood near one of the stand-up heaters with several people. Luca waved his arms, accentuating a point, while Melody stood on the outskirts of the group.
Cara’s heart contracted. “You should talk to her.”
“Who?” Colin looked over his shoulder to see who they were talking about.
“Are you sure?” Wes’s eyes searched hers.
What did he want her to say?
Stay with me. Be with me. Love me.
Instead, Cara forced a smile and nodded. “It’s why you’re here.” Wes needed to confront how he really felt, and get past this obstacle he’d put in his own life, even if Cara wasn’t the one he wanted in the end.
Wes’s eyes lingered, and then with a nod, he strolled away.
Cara followed Wes’s progress to Melody’s side. She must have said something to Luca because he momentarily stopped his gesticulations, and Wes and Melody strode out of sight.
Cara let out a shuddery sigh. “Can I get another one of these, please?” she asked the bartender.
“You look beautiful tonight,” Colin said.
“Thanks.” Cara took a fresh coupe from the bartender.
“When I met Wes in Atlanta, I thought the two of you might be together.” Colin looked thoughtful, and Cara looked at him over the lip of her glass. “But I guess not if you sent him to another woman.”
Colin was a nice enough guy, but he followed Erik like a puppy, and she wasn’t about to discuss her feelings for Wes with him. Cara downed the rest of the drink and was slightly surprised when Colin had another ready to press in her hand. She hadn’t eaten much, and the two glasses, combined with her jet lag, were already making her a little dizzy. “Do you believe in love?”
Only when Colin replied did she realize she had spoken the words out loud.
“I do. Very much so. Isn’t everyone hoping to find their true love to spend their life with?”
Cara barely heard him as she searched the darkness Wes and Melody disappeared into. Had she made a terrible mistake? Despair swamped her, and a lone tear slipped down her cheek. Cara spun on her heel and retreated further into the shadows by the tall cypress trees.
