AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oh my gosh, Trevor!” She squeals and hugs him. “How are you? I didn’t know you were coming to this?”
Neither did I. Had I known her ex-boyfriend was on the guest list, I would have had him edited out.
“My parents come every year since they go way back with Mr. and Mrs. Cargill, but I haven’t been here in ages.” He looks her up and down. “But I am glad I came this year. You look incredible. Doesn’t she, Rowan?”
“Stunning.” My word comes out clipped.
He ignores me entirely. “Autumn, would you like to dance?”
But she looks at me first. “Um, I mean, itisa party—
“Great.” He reaches out for her hand.
I see him from across the room, his green eyes shining in the dim light as he dances with Autumn. He moves with effortless grace, his body flowing like water to the beat of the music. As he spins her around, I can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy, even though I know we're non-exclusive.
He's the kind of man who draws attention wherever he goes. His chiseled jaw and tousled hair making him look like he just stepped off the pages of a fashion magazine. His muscles ripple beneath his tight-fitting shirt, and I can see the way Autumn's eyes linger on his chest as he twirls her around the dance floor.
I watch as he whispers something in her ear, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. Autumn's face lights up, and I can see the chemistry between them sizzling like a live wire. It's enough to make me want to pull her away from him and claim her for myself, but I know that would be wrong.
So instead, I stand here and watch as they dance, my heart filled with a mix of envy and longing.
As they hold each other in their arms, something furls in my gut. I quickly down a champagne and hold the next one as I watch them. How fucking dare he be here? He just assumes she’s free to dance with him? He didn’t even bother to ask if she’s with anyone.
Arrogant asshole.
The worst part is, she’s laughing and chatting, like they’re the best of friends. Seeing her enjoy his company makes me drink the second flute and grab a third.
“Rowan?” my mother calls out.
I turn to see her walking with a stunning young woman. Rich dark skin that gleams in the sunlight, highlighted by her white sundress. Her smile is captivating. Had I not already been involved with someone else—
I’m not technically with Autumn, I remind myself. And she’s dancing with that tool, Trevor Beaumont.
“Mom, hi,” I say, giving her a hug. “Who is your friend?”
“This is Ally Windsor. She owns a growing group of florist shops up and down the East Coast. I thought you could help her with some legal advice. I’ll leave you to it.” Mom walks away, and behind Ally, she grins and gives a thumbs-up, like she did well.
I fight a wince and just give her a nod as Ally smiles. I explain, “My mother is, um,notsubtle.”
She giggles. “No, she’s not. When I told her I was a lawyer who had changed careers, she told me you needed a florist for your law office.”
“The worst part is, she thinks she’s sneaky about fix-ups. It would be endearing if it didn’t periodically make things super weird.”
“My mother is the same way. Me and my sisters are all unmarried, which she takes as a personal affront to herself,” she teases.
“Parents,” I say with a sigh. “Nothing we ever do is good enough. Do you have kids?”
“No. You?”
“Yes. Two. They’re around here somewhere.”
“How does she feel about them?”
I smirk. “Unlike me, they can do no wrong.”
She giggles again. “Well, despite all of that, I’m glad she introduced us.” Her eyes flicker to the dance floor.
“Me, too.” I sip my champagne. It feels wrong to use this perfectly nice girl, but I need to make a point. “Would you care to dance?”
