Tessa sees my expression and whips out her phone. “What do you want? I’ll text him.”
“A glass of chardonnay would be great,” I say in relief. “Whatever they have.”
She types furiously, then slides the phone back into her pocket. “I hope he sees it,” she mutters, then taps the girl standing next to her on the shoulder. “Kate, have you met...” and I’m lost in a sea of introductions to some of their friends.
I’m in the midst of an animated conversation with one of Luke’s coworkers when Tessa jabs an elbow into my side.
“Ow, what?”
“Two o’clock,” she murmurs in a low voice, nodding in the direction of the entrance.
When I turn to see what she’s talking about, my eyes land on a familiar figure: Ben’s just walked in, flanked by a tall guy with sandy blond hair and California surfer-guy good looks. My pulse breaks into a canter and I immediately feel self-conscious, like I’m wearing my underwear outside my clothes or something. Before I can analyze my reaction, Luke appears, juggling two drinks in each hand. We greet him like a hero freshly returned from the front lines.
“Thanks, Luke,” I say gratefully, then hold up the glass in a toast. “And congratulations! I’m so happy for you guys.”
“Thanks.” He turns to Tessa and pecks her on the lips. “Just glad she said yes.” They beam at each other and I feel another pang.Jealousy is unbecoming,I remind myself.
Tessa’s eyes are trained over my shoulder. “He’s looking over here,” she hisses.
“Who’s looking over here?” Luke asks, sipping his beer.
“Oh, this awful guy from work who’s been harassing Kate just walked in.”
I open my mouth to protest, not wanting to endorse this not-exactly-accurate version of events, especially when we’rekinda-sorta, I don’t know, maybe?friends now. Maybe it wasn’t my best idea to bring the whole office into this feud.
“Do you need me to kick his ass for you, Kate?”
“Oh—no.” I laugh.Good luck trying, Luke—you’re like half his size.“It’s fine. It’s not that big a deal, really. It’s pretty much blown over, anyway.”
Luke puffs out his chest. “Who is he? Point him out.”
“Don’t be obvious, but he’s over by the door. Big guy with the blond friend.”
Luke casually turns to scan the room, and when he turns back, he looks uneasy. “Are you talking about Ben Mackenzie?”
“You know him?”
“Uh, yeah. Also, I invited him.”
“What?”Tessa and I say at the same time.
“He’s on my kickball team. You know, Ball on the Mall?”
Tessa stares at him. “That’sthe Ben you have a man-crush on?”
“I do not haveman-crush,” Luke says, insulted. “He’s just... a cool guy.” He waves Ben over, ignoring the dark look Tessa’s casting his way.
“Do notwave—” she says, then sighs and turns to me. “I’m sorry, I had no idea this was the same Ben. Luke has all these random kickball friends, I can’t even keep tra—”
“Luke!” Ben’s voice booms behind us and I jump, nearly dropping my wineglass. “Congratulations, man.”
He slaps Luke on the back as Luke motions to Tessa. “Ben, this is my fiancée, Tessa.”
“We’ve met,” she says coolly, and Luke elbows her.
“It’s great to see you again, Tessa,” Ben says, humor ringing in his tone. He finally turns and acknowledges me, feigning surprise. “Kate! Fancy meeting you here.”
“Ben,” I say dryly.
