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“Speaking of, have you seen him yet?”
She shakes her head, confirming what I was afraid of. “I thought he was coming with you.”
“Nope.” I pop the p for emphasis. “He had some things to do in Boston for school. He’s supposed to meet me here.”
“Hmm. Well, don’t worry too much. I’m sure he’ll be here soon.” Her words are meant to soothe me but she’s clearly distracted with everything she needs to do. “Excuse me, the bakery just arrived to deliver the cake.”
As Tatum walks away, Ivy watches me carefully. I take my phone out of my clutch and open my texts with Parker. I haven’t heard anything from him since this morning when he let me know he arrived at Harvard safely. My fingers compose a quick message asking where he is. I watch as the bubble pops up shortly after, indicating he’s typing. Sure enough, his response comes quickly.
Parker: I’m so sorry love. Things ran late. I’m on my way but there’s traffic.
Dread washes over me as I realize I’ll be spending part of our engagement party without him. There are already people I don’t know walking around. I don’t want to be rude, but I don’t know what to say to them without Parker to do the introductions. Ugh, I hate that he put me in this uncomfortable situation after promising me he wouldn’t.
I don’t bother answering him as I click the screen to my phone off and toss it back into my bag. Ivy must notice the change in my attitude because she sighs and hooks her arm with my own.
&
nbsp; “Come on, let’s go get something a little stronger than this champagne.”
A COUPLE SHOTS OF tequila later, I’m standing at a high-top table with Ivy and Tatum. The party is going well, sans the fact that Parker is still MIA. The more time that passes without him here, the angrier I become. No amount of alcohol in the world can dull the irritation coursing through my veins.
“I’m telling you, he is by far the hottest man I’ve ever seen in my life.” Ivy gushes about one of the waiters she works with.
“I’m pretty sure that’s how you describe every new guy that catches your attention.”
She makes a face at me and goes to continue, but Tatum’s voice cuts her off.
“Crap. McKenna, I’m so sorry. I completely forgot to un-invite him.”
“What?” I ask, turning around to find who she’s referring to.
My sights land directly on Colton. He’s standing next to Maverick while they say hello to my parents. The way he looks in that suit is enough to bring any girl to her knees. Every feeling I had geared towards Parker’s absence vanishes as soon as Colton’s eyes meet my own.
I haven’t seen him since I fell into his arms on Tuesday morning. I’ve done everything I can to avoid him, but apparently, my luck has worn out. I don’t know how I feel about that exactly.
The way his stare bores into me, I’m finding it hard to remember why I didn’t want him here in the first place. Neither one of us look away as him and my brother make their way over to us. Maverick gives Tatum a kiss hello then focuses on me. Colton is the first to break the eye contact before smiling subtly at the ground.
“You look beautiful, Squid.”
I wince in embarrassment. “Shh, people can hear you.”
“What?” He chuckles. “I can’t compliment my baby sister?”
“I think she was referring to the nickname.” Tatum explains.
“Ah. Okay then, you look beautiful, McKenna.”
A shy smile stretches across my face. “Thank you.”
“Where’s your fiancé?” Colton finally chimes in.
“He’s… uh, he’s running late.” His eyebrows raise. I’m not sure if it’s Parker’s absence that surprises him or the way I don’t seem to mind it right now. Regardless, it makes me feel like I need to explain. “He had a meeting at Harvard for medical school, and you know how Boston traffic is.”
“Harvard Med School? Well damn, Mac. You really hit the jackpot.”
I don’t respond. Even if I wanted to, I don’t think I’d have any idea what to say to that. I thought him and I had shared a moment a few days ago. Did I imagine the way he shuddered when I whispered his name, or the way his fingers dug into my waist? I could have sworn he was just as affected as I was but looking at him now, he seems completely indifferent.
“It’s that British accent. Right, McKenna?” Ivy nudges me playfully.
