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“If you ask nicely, I’ll give you a ride back to the city tomorrow.”
“My quota for dealing with psychopath drivers has been filled this month, so I’ll pass.”
“A man like Max would never be into a whore like you.”
“Ah, there’s the psychopath I’ve gotten to know so well.”
This song could not be over soon enough. I finally found Max. He was standing near the bar, his gaze fixed on us. I wasn’t the only one to spot him. Shawn pulled me closer in a show of possession. Max’s eyes narrowed.
My dance partner wasn’t done. As soon as the song stopped, he smashed his lips to mine. What the hell? I pushed on his chest. “Let go of me.”
He laughed. “Wouldn’t want to make a scene.”
I wanted nothing more than to slap his face. “You know what the best thing about this dance was?”
“What?”
“It’s the last time I’ll ever have to touch you.”
Max’s voice was suddenly beside me. “May I have this dance?” Although he was smiling, the set of his jaw left no doubt he was angry.
“Of course you can,” I said, immensely relieved to take his hand.
“Great. Let’s go.” He whisked me off before Shawn could utter a word.
“Incredible sex, chicken nachos, beer—and another save from Shawn the psycho. It’s like you really are my superhero.”
His features softened. “I wanted to punch his face, especially when he kissed you.”
“Jealous?” I said it jokingly, but he was dead serious with his answer.
“Yes, very.”
Wait. What? He was?
“I hated seeing you on his arm at the wedding, loathed watching you seated next to each other during dinner, and as previously discussed, wanted to punch his face for kissing you.”
“You and me both. Your sister loved the bracelet, by the way.”
He relaxed. “I’m glad. I think a small part of me feared she might not want to wear it because of my parents. Stupid, right?”
“No. It’s not stupid at all.” I wished I could comfort him with a caress or a kiss. But I couldn’t, not out here on the dance floor.
After the dance ended, he led me over to a table toward the back. “Come on, I have some people I want to introduce you to.”
Chapter Sixteen
Max
It was tough being ignored by my parents at the church and watching others notice me there and whisper. And then there was watching from the sidelines as photos were taken of the happy couple with their loved ones outside the church. I hadn’t been asked to step in for any family photos. Not like they wanted one with me in it to hang above the mantel and be reminded of my presence. It hurt. As much as I told myself it didn’t, there was no way around it.
Now I was hanging around at the reception for one reason only. Oakley.
Jealousy wasn’t often an emotion I entertained, but watching Shawn with his hands on her had made me want to stomp out to the dance floor and tear her away. Although I’d promised myself to keep my distance from her this evening for fear my parents might judge her poorly as a result, I couldn’t help asking her to dance, at least once. I’d use any excuse to touch her in public while I counted the minutes until I could get her alone.
After the dance, however, I wasn’t yet ready to part company. And chose instead to introduce her to Fran and Dan.
I was surprised when Fran jumped up to hug her. “Oakley, you look absolutely beautiful.”
