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“Ran before I could run into, so to speak.” I savor the bitter taste of licorice root and herbs on my tongue. “Who was the woman by the bar you were getting chatty with? She was stunning.”
Dean pauses, likely seeing my question for what it is—another detour away from my current shitty situation. “Meera. A doctor at the hospital where Sara works.”
“Ooh. Think of all the weird things she could do with your prostate.”
He grins. “She’s not that kind of doctor.”
“Please. It’s med school 101. Everyone’s that kind of doctor.”
“Really? In that case, I knew I should have gotten her number.”
“There’s still time. And let’s be honest, I have enough disasters to deal with tonight. I’m not going to add sleeping with my moral support to the mix. Seriously, you should grab her number.” So my miserable night can be complete.
His head tilts. “Is this a test?”
“I don’t play those games.”
Dean barks out a laugh.
“Okay, fine, I play those games. But tonight’s already gone to hell, so what does it matter if my date is picking up another woman?”
The door creaking open interrupts his response.
I spin around to see Garrett stroll in, a fresh tumbler in hand, along with a flute of champagne. “Double fisting. Who’s classy now?”
“Still not you.” He surveys Dean, then the drink in my hand, before setting the flute down.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you came looking for me,” I tease, but my heart stirs with the idea that he didn’t dismiss me from all thought the second I scuttled away like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight.
“Your brother and Sara are wondering where you are.” He lifts his glass to his lips, his gaze settled on me. It’s such a casual move, as if he’s saying, “So what if I was looking for you?”
“They’ll find me. You two did. And, boy, am I lucky.” I wink and toast the air. “Speaking of double fisting …”
Garrett chokes on his drink, coughing a few times. “Is she always like this?”
“Some days are worse than others. She’s in fine form tonight.”
I waggle a finger. “Don’t even try. You love it.”
Dean offers a hand and introduces himself as a friend of mine.
“And boob tape remover.” I point to my breasts. “You’ve earned it, bro.”
Garrett returns the handshake. “I’m Sara’s cousin.”
“Also the guy who paid off a town inspector and is tearing down Todd’s building and destroying a part of Polson Falls history. Don’t forget to mention that part.”
“Huh. No shit … small world.” Dean sips on his beer as he studies first Garrett, then me, then the champagne flute sitting on the table. He’s doing simple math, and a thoughtful expression passes across his face when he feels he has the answer. “Listen, I need to hit the can. You good here, Justine?”
“Only if you go and get that proctologist’s number.”
“Won’t let you down.” His chuckle fades as he disappears beyond the door, pulling it shut behind him.
Garrett’s footfalls are slow and measured as he closes in. “You show up to this engagement party looking like that, and then hide in the library?”
“I’m not hiding. I’m perusing my next read.” I scan the titles closest, a smile of triumph catching me as I reach for Moby Dick. “My favorite. For obvious reasons.”
“You think I can’t see through your act?”
“What act? Ocean, check. Giant sperm—”
“I met Joe tonight.” Garrett pretends to study the books along with me. “They’ve been together for, like, two minutes, but … seems like a good guy.”
I shove the book back on the shelf, my natural defenses sparking. “That’s because he is a good guy.”
“Except for his taste in friends.” Garrett’s pace is slow as he drags a fingertip along the spines, not a speck of dust showing. “The ex you caught with his pants down, that’s his best man, Bill. Isn’t it?”
“It’s Bastard Bill to you.” I swallow against my rising dread. Garrett has reason to want to hurt me, and now he has the perfect knife to stab me with if he so chooses. One hit is all he’ll need to take me down. “I take it you met him too?”
“Isabelle introduced us earlier.”
“You know Isabelle.” Great.
“Of course I do. She’s been Sara’s best friend since childhood.”
“You’re that close to Sara? Man, I couldn’t pick my cousins’ friends out of a lineup if my life depended on it.”
“I spent every summer in Newport with Sara, growing up. Izzy would visit a lot too.” He pauses, studying me. “You have no idea that they asked me to be in their wedding party, do you?”
“Oh my God.” My groan fills the silent space. Joe mentioned that the party was stacked with Sara’s family. I was so hung up on Bill and Isabelle being there, I didn’t bother to ask who else specifically. Not like it would matter if I had. Never could I have imagined this connection.
