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“Let’s just stick to what’s important—Maddy. Of course I like her.”
Art shrewdly studied my face. “But how do you feel about your ex?”
I paused for a beat, trying to gather my thoughts. “I don’t… I don’t know, sir.”
“That’s what I thought.” Art patted my back and sauntered off. “I’ll talk to you later.”
Just then, Tyler walked by. As usual, he was followed by his friends, who appeared to have all spiked their bangs together.
“Hey, champ.” He winked at me then put his hand over his stomach. “Got your land legs back?” Laughing, he pretended to throw up. Then he gave me a thumbs-up and continued on his merry way.
I drained my bourbon, watching his back. My night was officially going downhill.
“Hey.” Maddy headed toward me. “Everything okay?”
“Great. You?”
“Yeah.” She smoothed the hair back from her face. “Great.”
“Want to get a drink then dance?”
“Yes.” She sounded relieved. “Let’s just stay away from everyone.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I caught a glimpse of Mrs. Delaney holding court with some of her similarly shellacked cronies. Tyler was across the room, doing shots with his friends. There was a man, tall and handsome, staring at Madison. “Is that Dean Smith?”
She looked around, distracted. She waved when she saw the g
uy I was referring to. “Yeah, that’s him.”
“He keeps staring at you.”
She shrugged. Was she completely unaware of how beautiful she was? “Whatever. He should go stare at his wife.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was probably Katie again. Christ.
“Bourbon?” Maddy asked.
“Definitely.”
She grabbed a water for herself, then we headed to a peaceful corner. We sipped our drinks quietly, gathering our thoughts and watching couples spill out onto the dance floor.
“How come you switched to water?”
She smiled sheepishly. “I wouldn’t say switched as much as resorted to. I just had more wine with Josie.”
My hand tightened around my bourbon. “Your mother told you about Katie, I guess?”
Her shoulders slumped. “It’s totally weird that my mother is knee-deep in your business, but yes, she told me. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I have no idea what Katie’s doing or why she’s doing it. I just know that it has nothing to do with me.”
“Bob.” Madison frowned. “I’m pretty sure it has everything to do with you. She hasn’t stopped calling.”
“Right. But it doesn’t matter. I’m not interested in anything to do with her. The past is in the past and all.” I finished my drink. “Do you want to dance?”
“I’d love to.”
I grabbed her hand and pulled her to the dance floor. But unlike earlier in the day, when being close to Maddy had felt natural, unease rolled off both of us in waves. She was stiff beneath my touch as we swayed in time to the music. Gone was the happy, optimistic way I’d felt earlier.
