His reaction, a small smile, surprises me. “I wish it was a good idea.” With a caress against my hand, he’s stepped away from the vehicle.
I reach for the door, but he changes course and puts his thigh against it before I can swing it closed. “You look absolutely stunning tonight. The color of the dress is a lot like your eyes.” There’s a pause before he continues, “You were like a beacon of green light in a room full of golds and silvers.”
My heart stops for a moment. If he was referencing the book or not, it was an awfully romantic thing for him to say when we both know he shouldn’t be saying it. Turning, my knees nowdangerously close to him, he only leans closer. Wanting him to stop, but also wanting him nearer all the same, I take one of his hands in mine. It takes him a moment, but he finally looks up and finds my gaze. With a sweet smile, I let the attraction within me uncoil before tearing off the bandaid.
“Goodnight, Dalton,” I say softly.
As any gentleman would, he pulls away and returns the sentiment. “Goodnight, Raleigh.”
His gentle smile is the last thing he leaves me with before tucking me inside the cab of my car and turning away.
I immediately rest my forehead against the steering wheel. What the hell just happened?
Fortunately for me, there’s no time to overthink because my phone buzzes. Reaching for it, the light illuminates the front cab. The flutters of romance immediately fall only to be replaced with anxiety. My mom had texted…and called several times in the last hour. She only ever calls me if there’s a real emergency. Scrolling down into the rest of my notifications, I see about a dozen social media messages from friends back home. Another text appears.
Mom:Don’t look at social media until you talk to Grant. I’m sorry you had to find out this way.
My stomach drops when I see his name. Never one to shy away from bullshit, I tap the newest social media message and nearly drop my phone when I see the post shared with me.
Grant Newby. Engaged?
Stupid with anger, I throw the car into drive and spit up the loose gravel of the lot. As I zip through lanes and speed through intersections, I try not to think about it. I even crank the radio to 100 but the thoughts seep through the sound and the tears. A man I’ve loved for so long, a man who I almost had forever with, has slammed a door I always just expected would be open. He has slammed it hard and without warning. Tears come hot,blurring my vision further as I practically drift onto my street. My phone buzzes again, and somewhere deep inside, I find the courage to look.
Mae:I just saw Instagram!
Oh great, everyone already knows.
Mae:Did he ever mention her to you?
No, Mae. No, he did not.
Mae:I thought he said he was still open to things?
Yes, Mae. Yes, he did.
Mae:Who the hell does he think he is????
The car comes to a slamming stop in my parking spot and the tears come faster. I don’t even know how I got here so fast. When I’d sped away from the party, I just wanted to get home, but now that I’m here, I don’t want to be alone. Picking up my phone, I text the one person I know I can trust above anything, even petty arguments.
Raleigh:I need you.
Mae:Girl, I am on my way!!!
Chapter 14
Dalton
“SO ARE YOU GOING to tell me what happened the other night or…” I glance up into the rearview mirror briefly to check on my passenger. Steely eyes meet mine in return.
“I should probably let Raleigh tell you,” Mae answers before turning back to her phone.
The road ahead is full of traffic, and while we won’t be late to tonight’s video premiere, we will be cutting it close. I was supposed to pick up Raleigh, but Trenton and Mae had a tiff this morning, so I was shuffled around. Raleigh went down to scout the location much earlier in the day, and I’ve been left wondering why she’s been avoiding me since the Halloween party.
“Is she okay, though?” I ask, once again finding Mae in the reflection. Her wandering fingers stop tapping her screen, and she looks up.
“I won’t speak for her, but yes, she’s okay. I think she just needs a little space to figure a few things out.”
“What kind of things?” I press.
