Kate stared shamelessly at his tight ass and bit her bottom lip. “It’s not good to hold grudges forever. You’ll give yourself an ulcer and maybe cheat yourself out of a damn good time. He was younger then, and that was five years ago. Maybe he’s grown up.”
“I doubt it.”
“Well, I’d have no problem giving a hottie like that a second chance. Is he good in bed?”
“Kate! Focus. If he comes over here, just give him the cold shoulder and ignore him. Can you do that?”
“A cold shoulder? If he gets too close, I’m gonna need a cold shower! I was too mad to see it at the bridal shop, but my gosh, girl. His friend’s not too bad either.”
“Don’t, Kate. If you talk to his wingman, Luke will take it as an invitation to talk to me.”
“But they’re both so hot in those designer suits,” she said.
“You’re wavering,” I cautioned.
“Don’t worry. I know the rules. Cold shoulder.”
“Yes. You must stay strong, no matter how hot they are.”
She picked up the two remaining balls and indiscreetly juggled them around in her hands as she continued to stare at the guys. “I get it,” she said, placing them in the triangle. “Do you wanna break the balls, or shall I?” she asked with a grin.
Chapter 3
A few hours passed, and I was disturbed to find myself constantly looking at Luke, as if I was somehow drawn to him, like a stupid fly to a jar of honey. I also noticed that he was staring right back at me. I was sure he was single, because for all of his nonsense, he’d never been the cheating type, and he didn’t seem to have any problem talking to any beautiful women who approached him; if he had a serious girlfriend, he would have blown the bimbos and boob-jobs off in a heartbeat, unless he’d changed more than I realized. An undeniable pang of jealousy hit me when a curvy blonde ran her fingers through his hair, giggling and flirting with him. He laughed and chatted with her as if he was having the time of his life. He seemed happy, and deep down at my core, I was glad for that. Sure, things had ended between us, but I had always hoped he’d find happiness and a good life, and it seemed those hopes had been answered. From the looks of his expensive tailored suit and the entourage of scantily clad barflies around him, he was doing pretty well in life.
“Hey, your ex and his hot friend are coming,” Kate warned as we sat at a table. “Looks like he’s got one cosmo and three Buds. Who drinks that antifreeze anyway?”
I smiled sheepishly. “Wow. That sure brings back some memories. We used to drink the stuff as teenagers. It was all we could afford.”
“Ah. So he’s trying to make you remember those good old times,” she said.
Smiling, the two guys approached us with drinks in their hands.
“Just act casual,” I responded.
“Would you ladies like a drink?” Luke asked.
“I’d love the cosmo,” Kate said, smiling at him.
“A little birdie told me it’s your favorite drink,” Luke’s friend said.
“It is. Thank you.”
“I’m Steven, by the way,” he said, placing the cosmopolitan in front of her.
She shook his hand. “Kate…and it’s nice to meet you.” Her gaze then shot to Luke. “And we’ve already met, as I’m sure you remember.”
“Yes. It was sort of…unforgettable, but it’s great to see you again,” Luke said.
I nudged Kate and gave her a look as she sipped her cocktail.
“But it’s my favorite drink,” she whispered, leaning closer, “and I’m broke.”
Luke handed me a Budweiser, and I smiled. As I gazed at the bottle, memories flooded back to me. Our friend’s father used to have a boat, and we would sneak out on it when the owner had to leave on business trips. We’d travel to the middle of the lake, blast music, stargaze, go for a night swim, drink cheap beer, and have a blast. I truly missed those days, back when life seemed so simple and we had no responsibilities or regrets. Now, though, those days were long gone, and the Budweiser didn’t even taste the same.
“Mind if I sit down?” Luke asked.
“I have a very jealous fiancée,” I said. “Sit at your own risk. It took everything I had to keep him from jumping you at the bridal shop.”
“And you find that a good quality in a husband?”
“Actually, I’m flattered to be with someone who just wants me all to himself…and puts me above everything.”
Ignoring my comment and the venom with which I said it, he slipped in and sat next to me in the booth. I tried to casually scoot over a few inches, because just rubbing elbows with him made my heart race and my mind spin into memories and fantasies I did not want to revisit. He glanced over at me and smiled, and I had to wonder if he knew the effect he was having on me.
“Thanks for the beer,” I said.
“Do you like it?”
“I’m not sure if I like it, but it does bring back lots of memories.”
He stared into my eyes, practically piercing me with those sky-blue orbs of his. “Some real good ones too.”
Kate looked at Steven. “Hey, who’s this birdie who told you about the cosmo?”
He smiled. “The bartender. You must come here often.”
“Oh. Yeah, Bob’s a model friend of mine.”
“He also said you’re quite the champion pool player.”
She grinned and shrugged. “I know how to handle a stick,” she said, basking in the humor of her own double-entendre.
“I bet you do.” He blushed and smiled, revealing adorable dimples. “How about a game?”
She reached for his hand. “Challenge accepted.”
“Do you mind if I steal this captivating beauty away for a game of pool?” Steven asked.
“Have fun,” I said. “Just be careful. She’s quite the hustler.”
He grinned, and they walked off, hand in hand, as if they’d known each other forever.
“That was so staged,” I said after they walked away.
He smiled. “Maybe, but how else was I gonna get you alone? You’re getting hitched soon, and… Well, that friend of yours is like a bulldog. I thought she was going to attack me at the bridal shop. Speaking of the wedding though, thanks for inviting me to your big day.”
Furious with my error in judgment, I shook my head. “Look, Luke, I know I kinda-sorta invited you, but on second thought…”
“What?” he prompted.
“Well, I don’t think my fiancé would like me hanging out with my ex at our reception.”
“What’s wrong with two old friends shooting the breeze? Is the guy really that damn possessive?”
“Yeah, and he’ll be here any minute, I’m sure.”
“Fine. I’ll keep it short and sweet.”
I smiled. “How about you move to the other side of the table so I can have a little wiggle room?”
He sighed but got up to move over to where Kate was previously sitting. “Is that better?”
“Much. Thanks.”
He shot me his dazzling smile. “What are the chances that two childhood sweethearts from the same small town would both end up in New York City?” he said. “I’ve been dying to catch up with you since the second I saw you in that bridal shop.”
“That’s just it,” I said. “It was a
bridal
shop. You need to remember that.”
He glanced at my finger. “Is your wedding ring still being cleaned?”
“Yep.”
“You always were a horrible liar, JJ,” he said.
I swallowed hard. Luke could always see right through me. “I am not. Anyway, what is it that you want?”
“The truth.”
I let out a huff. “What do you mean?”
“We both know you’re not really getting married,” he said, “especially to a gay man—”
“Hey!” I spat. “Leave Zack alone. You don’t even know him. Besides, what makes you say that?” I asked. “Just because I’m not wearing a ring?”
“No. It’s because you’ve been staring at me all night. If this Zack really is the true love of your life, you wouldn’t even pay attention to me. You’re not the wandering-eye kind of girl…or at least you didn’t used to be. That was just one of the things I loved about you.”
“I was just shocked to see you here. It’s a small world, ya know?”
He shook his head and smirked at me. “Nope. I think there’s more to it than that.”
“Like what?”
“I think you want me back.”
I spat out the mouthful of beer I was drinking. “Gosh, Luke, just how many drinks have you had tonight? Clearly, you’re either intoxicated or delusional, if not a little of both.”
“Am I?”
“Man, you’re just as conceited as some of my male models.”
“I’ve been looking at you all night,” he said. “I can’t take my eyes off you.”
“It’s not good to fall for a bride-to-be who’s about to walk down the aisle.”
“Whatever. You know as well as I do that the marriage will never last. It’s not even real.”
“How can you say that? You don’t even know Zack, and you don’t really know me anymore. We’re strong, like titanium, and nothing’s going to break us apart.”
“Nothing? Really? Not even your fiancé kissing another dude?”
I was mortified when my eyes followed his pointing finger to another booth. There, right in front of us, Zack was making out with his boyfriend, and my entire plan instantly went to hell in the proverbial hand basket. What was Zack doing here? If I knew he was here, I would’ve had him at my side playing ‘boyfriend’ the second I saw Luke in here. My jaw dropped, and I quickly got up to rush over to give Zack a piece of my mind. I wasn’t really mad, but I had to put on a good show for Luke.
“I didn’t know you were here,” I said.
“We just got here. I was going to go look for you but I got sidetracked.”
I looked at his boyfriend. “Obviously.”
“I-I didn’t know the dude was here,” Zack stuttered, his eyes wide as I stared at him in a rage, with my hands on my hips, perfectly playing the part of a shocked fiancée.
“I know. It’s not your fault.”
“Well, thank you!”
“How do I explain this to him?” I said. “Quick! He’s coming. What do I say?”
“Don’t worry, girlfriend. We can totally salvage this. I’ll tell him it was a mistake.”
When Luke walked over to the booth, I looked at Zack, summoned up some tears in my eyes, then pulled him into a tight hug. “It’s okay, baby. We’ll get marriage counseling or something, because I can’t live without you. You’re my soulmate, and I know we’re destined to be together forever.”
“I can do this, Julia. I can give up guys,” he said. “You’re the only one for me, and I’m so, so sorry.” As he said it, he cast his boyfriend a secret just-grin-and-bear-it-because-of-course-I’m-only-kidding sort of glance, and the boyfriend kept his mouth shut.
“Oh, Zacky, I love you.”
“Not as much as I love you.”
He kissed me on the lips, and his easygoing boyfriend smirked, quite aware of the entire charade.
“Is everything okay?” Luke asked. “I can give you a ride home if—”
“No, we’re good,” I said. “Titanium, like I said. We can survive anything because our love is so strong. This is just a little bump in the road.”
“Nothing a little counseling can’t fix,” Zack said. “We’re connected at the hip and can’t deny the chemistry between us.” He gave my butt a squeeze.
I giggled and jumped, then grabbed Zack’s arm and peered lovingly up at him. “Yeah, we have so much crazy chemistry, it’s not even funny. Zack, honey, can you take me home?”
“I’d love to, sweetie pie. Let’s go home and make sweet love all night long.”
Damn it, you drama queen. Enough with the overkill already,
I thought but dared not say.
Kate came over and laughed. “Yeah, like that will ever happen.”
I elbowed her, and she shut up about it.
“Sorry. I just had a few shots,” she muttered.
“Zack and I are leaving. Can you get a ride, or do you wanna go with us now?”
“Bob’ll take me home, I’m sure,” she said, practically slurring.
“All right, but don’t stay out too late or get too hung over. We’ve gotta go look at more wedding dresses tomorrow.”
Zack lit up. “Oh, girl, I live to shop!”
I rolled my eyes, grabbed his arm, and practically jerked him out of the bar before he had a chance to make even more of a fool of me. When he stumbled, I helped him catch his balance. “I think you had too much to drink too,” I said. “You and Kate are such lushes.”
“How did I do though?” he asked.
“Luke must be laughing his ass off,” I said. “He already had his suspicions about you, and then… What man lives to shop anyway?”
“This one, girl! You know I’m a diva!”
I let out a laugh. “Oh, I know it!”
“Anyway, I think he totally bought it.”
“Not sure. He was drinking too. Maybe he won’t remember that much. I’ll take you home now, if that’s okay. You look like you could use a hot bath and a few aspirin, some cups of coffee.”
“Girl, are you crazy? That man of mine will be there in a while. Ain’t no way I’m taking a hot bath unless he’s in it with me!”