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Her face flushed, and she got what I meant.
“Sorry, have a good time,” she said. “Everything is fine here.”
Pushing my hand through my hair, I tried to brush off my agitation toward Tammy. Jumping over the bar, I made my way through the crowd, saying hi to friends, asking folks if they were enjoying themselves, and trying to push away the unwanted advances of strange women. I made my way to my office to grab my things.
Shit. Since when did women feel like they could grab your junk without asking? By the time I got to my office I wanted to spray my body in disinfectant. I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. I’d changed the last few months and it was all due to my beautiful, dark-haired girlfriend.
Grabbing my keys and wallet from the safe, I locked my office door and went out the back. I’d have to walk down the back alley, but it was better than making my way through the sea of grabby hands.
Turning the corner, I headed up the street toward Lilly’s. My chest was doing that crazy flutter it always did before I saw Maebh. I figured it would settle at some point, but it only seemed to be getting stronger. So were my feelings for her. I didn’t think I could keep falling in love with her, but I was. Every touch, smile, laugh, roll of her eyes when I had to make her repeat something, made me fall even harder.
Right as I stepped up on the sidewalk, a familiar face was in front of me. My feet stopped instantly.
“Cord Parker! Oh, my God! I was just coming to the bar to say hi!”
Kylie Burks.
The only other woman I had ever had sex with more than three times, was standing in front of me. My eyes took her in. She had changed some, but she was still a beautiful woman. Not as beautiful as Maebh, but I certainly saw why I had no problems going back for more.
“Kylie, holy shit. What are you doing in Oak Springs?”
Last I’d heard, she’d married the guy she had started dating in college. Of course, I hadn’t known she’d had a boyfriend back then. She’d come home over the holidays and we would hook up. I was completely unaware that she was seeing someone the last two years of college. I’d hated that she had lied to me. If there was one thing I wasn’t, it was a cheater. I had pushed her away right then and there and denied her anything sexual, and she flipped out on me, only to come back the next day and say she was sorry. In her own words, sex with her boyfriend at school was dull and boring, and when she was around me she couldn’t resist.
“I’m here for Missy Miller’s wedding. She and Mike are finally taking the big step.”
I nodded and was surprised when she threw herself into my arms and whispered against my ear, “Fuck, it’s so good seeing you.”
Returning the awkward hug quickly, I stepped out of her embrace and gave us some distance.
“You too. I heard you got married.”
She nodded. “Yep. We live in Nashville. My husband’s a record producer. Works with some big names. I actually got to meet Garth Brooks.”
My hands slipped into my pockets as I nodded politely and said, “That’s pretty cool.”
“What about you? I heard a rumor someone finally caught your eye. Say it isn’t so. The single women of Oak Springs must be devastated.”
I let out a chuckle. “Not a rumor. I’ve been dating someone for a few months now.”
Her eyes widened. “Wow. And you’re only with her? I mean, committed just to her?”
My brow lifted. “That’s usually what dating means, Kylie.”
Her face flushed and she looked pained—as if the memory of that day I walked out of her bedroom hit her again. I had called her a cheater and a few other harsh words that I almost regretted.
“I’m happy for you, Cord. I’m glad you found someone who has made you want to settle down.”
Rocking on my heels, I smiled. “She’s amazing.”
Her smile grew bigger.
My eyes drifted past Kylie when I felt her. Maebh and Amelia were walking toward us. Maebh wore a concerned look, even though I could tell she was trying to hide it. I sure as shit wasn’t about to introduce her to my old fuck buddy, so I looked at Kylie, cleared my throat and said, “Listen, it was good seeing you. Tell Missy I said congratulations.”
She seemed a bit surprised that I was ending our conversation so abruptly, but I didn’t care. I had to get as far away from Kylie as I could before Maebh and Amelia caught up to us.
“Yeah, I will, and it was great seeing you too, Cord. Maybe next time I’m in town we can meet for dinner.”
