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My nerves were already frayed over seeing Andy for the first time since our disastrous dinner last Sunday. Now, I’d turned up to this fancy dinner looking like a rumpled mess.
He’d offered to set up an early check-in at the hotel, but between classes and getting Trashcan to Thea’s for the night, I’d let time run out, dragging my feet the entire way to Manchester. I regretted not changing in the bathroom at a nearby rest stop.
I pulled into the restaurant parking lot. While nothing like New York City, the city had a few fancy restaurants, and this one made the list. The stately brick building in the budding downtown district had valets in front as pricey sports cars pulled up with statuesque-looking couples.
I parked in the back, saving twenty dollars and giving myself a few minutes to fix what I could with my outfit. I climbed out and used the driver’s side window as a mirror. Rumpled didn’t describe how badly the satin turquoise dress had wrinkled on the two-hour car ride, but I couldn’t do anything about it now. I swiped on a layer of coral pink lipstick and gave my reflection a big, fake smile that tugged at my eyes unnaturally. My smile collapsed into a frown.
I don’t want to do this.
I sent the text to Thea, poking her to give me even more reassurance than she had in Franklin Notch that morning.
THEA
You’re gorgeous. Go make Andy regret everything.
I groaned. After a week of soul-searching, I found only one option: go back to our original agreement. As much as I hated it, I couldn’t think of another way to make the next four years work. Unfortunately, I doubted Andy had come to the same conclusion after our separation.
Only that first part is helpful.
THEA
Go charm the hell out of those people, Andy included. You’re a vision.
Feeling slightly better, I used my damp hands to pat out some wrinkles on the dress and walked inside.
My eyes took a minute to adjust to the dim lighting. Candles dotted each table and a soft jazz band played in the corner of the room, seemingly a staple for these restaurants. A man in a white tux stepped out from behind a wooden podium, asking for the name of my party and guiding me through the jam-packed interior.
“Nora, you made it.” Brad stood as I reached the table, drawing the attention of the rest of the party, Andy included.
I was late. Probably more than a little, judging by the appetizers and drinks already at the table. I officially stopped looking at the clock when I hit a rolling roadblock just past Pierce, two tour buses driving side-by-side down the interstate from Canada.
“Sorry, traffic.” I offered the flimsy excuse and ignored the surprised look on Angela’s face as she hugged me.
“I didn’t even know there was traffic in New Hampshire.” She air-kissed me on both cheeks, her hands hovering above my shoulders. “So good to see you again.”
“You, too,” I murmured, steadying myself to meet Andy’s eyes.
She let me go much too soon. Andy stood up from the other side of the table, sliding in beside me as soon as Angela released me. He brushed his palm down my back, and I resisted the overwhelming urge to lean into him. Apparently, my body hadn’t gotten the memo that this relationship had to end.
“I was worried you weren’t going to show,” he whispered into my ear, pulling me into a hug.
I let myself melt against him for a breath, curling my fingers around the lapels of his jacket and inhaling the faint scent of cedar.
“This was part of our agreement,” I murmured back, steadying my voice.
His lips brushed over my forehead, squeezing me tight before letting go. “I’m still glad you’re here.”
My nerves tingled and a faint wisp of lust stirred in my stomach. It was definitely not the reaction I should have, but one I couldn’t seem to tamp down. I sat, glancing at the rest of the people gathered around the table. Justin had come with a new date, and Adam and Shannon sat at the far end of the table. I worked my way back to Brad before my gaze landed on Payton, directly across the table from me.
Great.
“I’m glad you could make it. Andrew mentioned you can’t stay the entire weekend?”
How had I not immediately noticed Payton? She practically glowed, her hair blown out and makeup airbrushed on. She wore a red designer dress that showed off just enough skin to be alluring without slipping into “late night at a club” territory. Even if she and Andy hadn’t slept together, they could have. Should have, even. Had Andy not been wearing a wedding ring and not told me he loved me, I would have guessed that they had.
“I’m a little behind on schoolwork,” I said, faking a smile that I hoped read, “I know you tried to steal my fake husband, but I’m going to be nice to you, anyway.” “I’m here for the ribbon cutting, and then I need to head home.”
She frowned, a line between her eyebrows marring her flawless skin. “You should stay, at least until Sunday. Show me around a little. Maybe we could go out for drinks.”
