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He’d always valued control above all else, but now he needed something—someone—more than that…and he’d let her go.
How could he have stood there and pushed her away? Worse, how could he have pushed her into the arms of another man?
He shook his head, trying to get his brain on track with his thinking. He’d made his choice. Now he had to live with it.
“Sebastian,” Jenna said, snapping him from his thoughts. “My third bridesmaid just called. She got held up and won’t be here until late.”
Great. Not that he cared. He wasn’t interested in his next fling. Not when he was watching the only woman he wanted walk away on some other man’s arm.
“We can’t wait for her,” Jenna said. “So tomorrow, will you walk her through everything for the wedding?”
“Sure,” he said. Jenna smiled and skipped off. Fucking skipped. She was so happy. Colt was practically drooling. And here Sebastian was, for once all too aware of how isolated he felt without anyone by his side.
“I don’t know how to say this buddy,” Huck said, coming to stand next to him. “But you look scary pissed.” He handed him a tall glass of Southern Comfort.
Bass downed it immediately, then swiped Huck’s glass and did the same thing.
“Whoa, take it easy,” Huck said.
Bass scoffed. “I need another.” Because the drinks weren’t doing shit to comfort him. Thank God the hotel had a bar. He needed all the distraction he could get, because Penny was on the other side of the room, and he could still smell her. Strawberries.
He didn’t know how long he stood there, just staring and realizing she wasn’t looking at him. She hadn’t even glanced at him as she came into the room.
“Here you go. Maybe go a little slower this time,” Huck said, handing him another drink. The man moved quick with alcohol, and Bass appreciated it.
He took another swig, then looked at the glass. He’d lost count of how many swallows he was on. His new goal was to drink until he could forget. Until he couldn’t smell or feel her anymore.
“I can still. Fucking. Smell her,” he growled. Strawberries and sun and warmth.
“Okay,” Huck said, standing next to him. “All I can smell is liquor.”
Sebastian tried to smile but failed. “What do you want?”
“I want to know if you’re okay. You’ve been different—”
“My date isn’t going to make it tonight, it would seem.” He raised his glass. “So I’m going to party by myself.” Party might be the wrong word, because all he could think about was the look he’d seen in Penny’s eyes this morning. The betrayal.
Now she won’t look at me at all.
Not that he could blame her. She’d given him her trust, and he’d crushed it.
“She deserves better,” he mumbled.
“I think Penny would beg to differ,” Huck said quietly.
He frowned at his friend. “What?”
“Please, you think I didn’t know? The way you looked at her, the way she was all happy and smiley lately. That was because of you. She loves you. Has for a while. Besides—” he took a drink of his own liquor “—the way you’re glaring holes through Finn right now is a big tip off.”
“He can give her what she wants.”
“Ooh.” Huck shook his head. “So you know what’s best for Penny?”
“I know it’s not me.”
“For being a smart guy, you’re a fucking idiot.”
“Is that right?”
