I glance at Meadow, who’s standing beside me and looking at Tyler like she’s trying to figure him out. His vibrant personality definitely doesnotmatch his tattooed, tough-guy exterior.
When Tyler’s gaze shifts to Meadow, his eyes give her an assessing sweep. His stare is harmless, but it lingers a second too long.
I know it means nothing. He’s getting married, for fuck’s sake. We’re literally here forhiswedding.
Still, why does this possessive surge flare through me as he takes her in?
“Who’s this?” Tyler asks, arching a brow.
Easy, Owen.
I clench my jaw, biting back the urge to rip his fucking head off for no reason other than the fact that his eyes are on her.
The worst part is that Tyler isn’t even trying to piss me off. The guy flirts just by breathing. He has no idea he’s doing it. Besides, he’s head over heels in love with his fiancée.
Meadow looks at me hesitantly, unsure if she should introduce herself or wait for me to do it. I can practically see the debate going on in her head.
Does she introduce herself as my friend?
Coworker?
Office buddy?
Fuck.I hate that I’ve put her in this position—standing here, cheeks still flushed from me calling her beautiful, and silently trying to figure out what title won’t make this weird.
I still don’t know what possessed me to say it out loud.
The words slipped out before I could shove them back down. Like something I’d been choking on for years and finally let loose. Like I desperately needed her to hear it.
Meadow shifts her weight from one foot to the other, the subtle movement snapping me back to reality. Tyler’s gaze darts between us, his brow rising with curiosity. He’s the nosiest person I’ve ever met, so if I introduce Meadow asjust a friend, he’ll read me like a damn book.
He knows me well enough to know that Meadow is notjustanything to me.
Fuck it.
“This is Meadow,” I say with my whole chest. “My date to the wedding.”
My words come out smooth and casual, like I didn’t just blow up the whole “we’re not fake dating” thing we had going.
I think I hear Meadow choke on air at me referring to her as my date, but I’m too chicken-shit to look at her right now.
Tyler’s entire face lights up like he’s surprised, pointing his finger between us like he’s solving a murder.
“Yourdate?”he repeats in a tone that implies she’s way out of my league.
Fucker.
“Yup,” I nod, doubling down. “My date, Tyler.”
He claps his hands together and lets out an obnoxious chuckle.
“Holy shit, Brooks!” He thunders and slaps me on the shoulder. “You dirty dog. Already moving on, huh? Good for you.”
I try to think of anything to shift the conversation away from my ex, but Tyler beats me to it with his next question.
“Wait…” he whips his head toward Meadow. “You’re Meadow?TheMeadow that Owen never shuts up about?”
Jesus Christ.
