“No birthday party would be complete without some toasts,” Juliana spoke from the stage, microphone in hand. She then introduced Sumner.
Sumner assumed her position on the stage, full of grace and poise. She spoke with such eloquence and love, and it was clear that Ian was proud of her. Was I really prepared to destroy their bond as well as my own friendship? I’d moved heaven and earth to make sure she wouldn’t sacrifice her dreams for me, but what about her relationship with her dad?
Ian leaned over to me at one point. “You did a great job with her this summer. She really blossomed during her internship.”
How the hell was I supposed to respond to that? I couldn’t. So, I didn’t say anything, keeping my attention on the stage.
All the while, I kept wondering how I could ever tell him that I was in love with his daughter. I’d lose his friendship for sure. But how could Inottell him if it meant losing Sumner? It was a no-win situation. Either way, I lost someone I loved. And their relationship would be forever changed.
Ian and Lea peered up at the stage, warm smiles on their faces. They were happy, buzzed, and they had no fucking clue.No one does, I thought when the room burst into applause.
Sumner returned to her date’s side, and he whispered something in her ear before handing her a drink. She smiled, and I nearly growled at him.
Look at me,I pleaded in my head.Sumner. Baby, please just give me a sign.Something. But she continued to stare straight ahead, shoulders back, just as I heard my name called. This was all my fault. I’d pushed her away so many times that she’d finally moved on.
I climbed the stairs to the raised platform and accepted the microphone.
“Ian.” I cleared my throat.Fuck.
“You can be an annoying ass at times,” I said, and he chuckled, flipping me off on the side of his glass. I took that as a good sign. “But you’re also one of the most loyal, persistent, smartest people I know.”
I inhaled a deep breath. I’d intended to keep this short and sweet, but my thoughts were all over the place. My attention kept drifting to Sumner, to what she’d said. Ian was my oldest friend, but she was the love of my life. I couldn’t live without her.
Just the thought of it—the reminder of what the past few months had been like without her—had the band around my chest tightening. The room spun, and I gripped the microphone as I struggled to remain upright. I was a bastard. The worst kind of friend.
But Ian—he’d been there for me through everything. So, for once, I didn’t hold back. By the time I was done with my speech, the crowd had laughed and cried, and I’d even wiped away a tear. So many incredible years of friendship.
“That was a really nice speech, Jonathan,” Lea said, pulling me into a hug.
“Thanks.”
Ian slapped my back. “Must be the girl,” he teased, but I could tell he was just as affected as me. Though I stiffened at his words.
“What girl?” Lea asked, her ears perking up. She was always trying to set everyone up. She said it was because she was so happy with Ian that she wanted everyone to experience that type of love. I’d never understood until now, until Sumner.
“He was seeing someone this summer, and he’s been such a mopey bastard lately. Does this mean you fixed things with her?”
Fuck.This was so fucking messed up.
I shook my head, watching Sumner as she headed for the dance floor with her date.
Ian took another sip of his drink, draping his arm over Lea’s shoulder. He was well past buzzed by this point. “It’s good to see her happy again.”
“Right?” Lea peered up at him with a dazed smile. “I knew she and Damien would hit it off.”
“What do you mean hit it off?” I asked. “I thought they’d been dating a while.”
“No.” Lea laughed. “I set them up. This is their first date.”
Moved on, my ass.She’d lied to me.
“Excuse me,” I said, relieved when Ian and Lea were pulled into another conversation. I’d had enough.
I didn’t even wait for the song to change before cutting in. Sumner’s date glared at me but quickly backed off when I bared my teeth.
“What are you doing?” Sumner hissed as I lifted her hands, draping her arms around my neck. She looked everywhere but at me.
When she attempted to pull away, I tightened my grip on her hip, bringing her into me. Exactly where she belonged. The music continued to play, but everything faded to a dull roar.
