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Meghan lets out a low chuckle as she takes my offered arm. “You know it hasn’t been decided yet, right?”
“As if you would choose anyone else,” I scoff, leading her down the hallway to the staircase.
I’m not going to lie, I’m a little bit in love with their new house. It’s a classic New England Colonial, and with its white brick, green shutters and columns flanking the entryway. It reminds me of the house inFather of the Bride. It gives country vibes with its hardwood floors and three white and mahogany accented staircases. Modern gadgets fill each room, along with antique furniture and rugs that cost more than all of my furniture combined.
“I mean, there are at least six other people in the running. People who live in big houses, with equally big gardens,” she jokes. “How is the new place, anyway?”
When Meghan moved out of our building, it made little sense for me to stay in our rundown neighborhood, so I found a new apartment in the Financial District in Manhattan.
“It’s great. Much closer to work. It has a gym and the neighbors I’ve met have been great so far. You should come out with us one night when my little bambino arrives.”
“That would be amazing. I know I didn’t go out much when we lived in the city, but I’d love nothing more than to let my hair down and dance.” Meghan sighs, as if going out dancing is one of her favorite pastimes and not something I had to drag her out to.
Meghan is content to fill the silence as we walk into the spacious kitchen. My mind wanders while I take in the grandeur of her home and the life she’s built. The kitchen, like every room in this house, is spacious and light. White cabinets line two of the walls, a large range cooktop is built into the counter and a marble top island fills the center of the room. At the opposite end is a large dining table. Light spills into the room from the floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors that line one wall, giving a view of their perfect garden.
I’m so glad Meghan got her happily ever after.
Although I do have to wonder, how did we get here? I’m amazed at how much everything has changed in two and a half years. It feels like only yesterday I was sticking to my guns and forcing Meghan to keep her promise and wear the dress I chose for our Christmas party. Now my best friend is living a cozy life in suburbia, married to an incredible man. The same man that occupied her every thought for a whole year before they even hooked up.
Kind of how a certain man is occupying my every thought.
Cooper joins us as we stand by the backdoor. He hands Meghan a drink and puts his arm around her waist, dropping a kiss onto the top of her head. It makes me want to throw up because of how perfect he is for her and how much they love each other.
I want that.
I want someone to love me how Cooper loves Meghan.
I’ll admit, it wasn’t until I saw how happy Meghan is with Cooper, that I realized what true love looks like. Maybe I’m a little jealous of my best friend but I’d love to have someone to lean on when I’ve had a rough day. Deep down, I know the man I seem to be hooked on isn’t the one for me and won’t give me what I crave, but I can’t seem to stay away from him.
“Have you seen what Cooper has done with the nursery?” Meghan asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
“No. Has he stocked it full of law books for his mini me?”
“Hey! There’s nothing wrong with getting them started early,” Cooper pouts.
A laugh bubbles from my throat. I enjoy teasing him and we seem to have fallen into an easy friendship, despite him being my boss's boss. “I’m just glad for my Godson’s sake that Meghan is going to be home with him in his more impressionable years.”
“Has she not told you? Susan across the street is going to be his Godmother.” He takes a sip of his drink as his eyes twinkle with mischief.
I roll my eyes. “You and I both know—” the words die on my lips as the sound of the front door opening draws my attention away from the conversation. The hairs on my bare forearms raise and my stomach contracts as I watch Sebastian step through the threshold. Trailing behind him is a blonde woman in a dress far too revealing for a housewarming in the suburbs.
Even as my gaze roams over him, trying to take in all of his features, my throat becomes tight.This is why I didn’t want to see him. I didn’t want to be reminded of the fact that I was just another notch on his bedpost—just like I know she will be too. I feel sick at the realization that, even though I explode under his touch, I’m still just a number in a long list of women to him.
My gaze darts to Cooper, his features coated in apology and sympathy. I shake my head to let him know it’s okay. I’d asked Cooper earlier if Sebastian was bringing anyone, and I’m certain he was being truthful when he reassured me that his best friend was flying solo. It’s not like we had to RSVP, it’s a damn housewarming for friends and family for God’s sake.
I step away from Meghan with a mumbled apology and walk out of the patio door, heading toward the back of the garden.
They have a massive yard which is split up into thirds by rows of hedges. In the middle third is a vegetable garden and flower beds—Meghan joked about her lack of a green thumb and how the patch would be dead before long, but it’s thriving as far as I can see.
The front third has a pool, BBQ area and lounge chairs scattered around it. This is also where most of the party is currently hanging out, enjoying the warm early September weather. The back third has a chill vibe to it with a hot tub, shed and a large daybed.
I’m dressed in ripped denim shorts, a white shirt tucked in at the front and a pair of five-inch stilettos, which I kick off as I reach the edge of the lawn. I carry the heels in my hand as I walk toward the back of the garden for some space. Pulling my sunglasses down from their place on top of my head, I fix my focus on making my escape.
The grass is bouncy and still slightly damp from the morning dewiness underneath my bare feet. I bypass the children screaming as they chase each other around the lawn and grab a beer from the table set off to the left of the garden. The daybed has been calling my name since I arrived, but even more so now. My usually warm skin color has been fading as we’ve left behind the summer months, so I’m going to make use of today’s sunshine.
Just as I’m sitting down, Sebastian comes strolling through the gap in the hedge. I hate the awareness that ripples through me and how my nipples harden under his scrutiny. Even though he’s wearing sunglasses, I can feel his dark gaze on me. I feign ignorance, settling back into the cushions as I unlock my phone.
I’m aware that it’s just the two of us in this part of the garden and that the sound of the party is barely audible this far back. With my phone in one hand, I take a sip from my beer as I flick through social media.
