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Even in that brief interaction, I knew he was a bad apple. An alarm sounded in my head, warning me of the danger ahead. But, if I’m being totally honest, I was more intrigued than afraid.
20
Lori
The bartender places an amaretto sour in front of me, and I motion for him to start another before sucking down the liquor. A fresh drink slides toward me as the empty one is placed back on the bar, and I grab the bartender’s arm to keep him from walking away.
“Married? They can’t get fucking married,” I tell him.
He raises his eyebrows, his round eyes regarding me with caution before pulling away. Not that I blame him. I’m acting like a crazy person right now. To be honest, I feel a little insane.
Lizzy informed me a moment ago Spencer is planning to ask Cat to marry him. She was bursting with excitement, spilling the secret to me in hopes of keeping it from Cat. Which I’d normally say was a horrible idea, but this isn’t something I’ll be telling Cat because this can’t happen. They aren’t ready, and I still haven’t been able to get what Spencer’s grandmother said out of my head.
“She’s not the one who lights a fire in him. She’s not the one he wanted to fight for. The two of you belong together.”
Logically, I know Spencer and I are completely wrong for each other. Especially now that he’s been with Cat. But putting that aside, we couldn’t be more opposite. He’s the light, creating a rainbow of colors. I’m the darkness, turning everything black.
“That is what people do at a wedding,” someone mocks beside me.
I see Levi out of the corner of my eye and groan, sucking down my second amaretto sour. Eric’s little brother chuckles as I polish it off, and I only turn to look at him once I’ve finished my drink.
“Why are you even here, baby Winston?”
He laughs again, clearly unfazed by the nickname I’ve given him or my disinterest in talking to him.
“Well, since your sister is busy playing bridesmaid today, I got rooked into helping Eric.”
I roll my eyes. It’s still so hard to believe it’s Lizzy’s wedding day and I agreed to be her bridesmaid for the second time. I hate weddings. Even more than that, I hate being in weddings. The entire process is stupid.
“I would’ve been a lot more on board with the idea if I’d known you’d be here, beautiful.”
My face bunches, and I shiver in disgust. “You literally made my stomach churn,” I say, shaking my head. “Aren’t you here with that cute little redhead? Why don’t you go join her in the playpen and leave the grownups alone?”
Levi rubs the back of his neck. “While I normally enjoy our flirtatious banter, I must say you seem a little extra cranky this evening. That wouldn’t have anything to do with Spencer planning to ask Cat to marry him, would it?”
My eyes narrow at him. “Why are you talking to me?”
More importantly, why had I opened my big drunk mouth that night at the bar? I made a point of never mentioning Spencer by name, only referring to him as the boy scout, but his identity was revealed when he showed up in Cat’s place. I was so sloshed and upset, I’m not entirely sure what all I said. Lord willing, it wasn’t anything too damning.
Ignoring Levi, I turn my back to the bar. The reception hall is so beautiful. White fabric draped from the ceiling, twinkling lights, and faint hints of pale pinks sprinkled around the room. My focus lands on the dance floor, only to find Spencer there. He’s dancing to “The Time of My Life” with Lizzy’s daughter, who’s beaming. They’re both laughing as he moves to the music, Maddison’s feet resting on his. It’s hands down the cutest thing I’ve ever seen, and my lips curve into a smile as I watch them. There’s no doubt he’ll be a wonderful father someday. My chest tightens at the thought. I don’t think I even want children. I’m too selfish to have kids. And that’s one more thing proving I’m not right for him—one more reason he belongs with someone like Cat. But marriage already? They’ve only been dating for six months.
“I see the way you look at him.”
Heat rises on my cheeks, my eyes snapping back over to Levi.
“He’s dating my best friend, apparently about to be engaged to her. What exactly are you accusing me of, baby Winston?”
“I’m not accusing you of anything. I know the truth. Spencer told Eric everything the other night after Brenden’s little bachelor party. I was glad I volunteered to be their DD. It was like Taxicab Confessions in my car.”
My back stiffens and icy panic races through my veins, but I merely scoff and roll my eyes before averting them back out into the crowd. “You don’t know shit.”
“You’re right, I don’t know anything about the night the two of you spent together. I never heard Spencer refer to it as the greatest night of his life. He wants to come clean with Cat, says it’s the only way he can really start a life with her. But you know what I think?”
My heart comes to a halt in my chest, and I cough to cover up my gasp for air. Come clean? He can’t come clean. My nervous hands work to smooth my dress, and I school my features to feign composure as my gaze slides to Levi again. “Nope. Nor do I care.”
“He doesn’t really want to start a life with her because he’s still hung up on you, and I know you have feelings for him too. You admitted as much at the bar.”
My hand lands on my hip as I twirl on my heel to face him, my flushing skin betraying me as I attempt to look intimidating.
