Page 29 of A Major Puck Up

Focusing on the top button of his shirt to avoid his eye, I shrug. “Maybe.”

“But you’re not going to talk to him, are you?”

“Not tonight. We’ll talk…eventually,” I hedge.

Gavin pulls me close. “Then let’s just dance for a bit, Peaches. No more tears, though, please.”

How the hell does he know I was crying?

“Why?” I sigh, resting my cheek against his chest.

He brushes his thumb softly against my back, soothing me. “Because I can’t stand to see you sad. Makes me want to make you smile, and I can’t do the type of things I know would do that.”

My thighs clench again. “Yeah, I know.”

When the song comes to an end, I thank him for the dance and head to the bar. I need fresh air, distance, and a little tequila. Maybe then I can forget about all the ways that man could make me smile.

NINE

GAVIN

Beckett: Where’d you disappear to?

Me: Just hit the bathroom. We grabbing a drink at the bar?

Beckett: Nah, Aiden disappeared with his phone. Probably FaceTiming the new chick, and Brooks went to bed. I think I’ll do the same. We have an early flight home.

Me: Okay, night.

With a sigh, I pocket my phone. Millie’s not at the bar where the last of the guests are now congregating. She probably went to bed too.

Ford and Lake disappeared about an hour ago. Naturally, he made a show of scooping her up and carrying her away bridal style. Her loud laughter rang out over the crashing waves and the live band. I’m happy for him. Tonight was a perfect night. He even pulled Millie out onto the dance floor, and as they swayed to the music, they talked. I swore I even saw Millie smile.

That was the last time I laid eyes on her. It’s for the best. I need to forget about her. I can’t fix her problems, and it won’t do me any good to continue watching after her. If I do, it’ll only make me want to touch her, and that can’t happen.

I rub at the ache that’s formed in my chest again. Too much booze and not enough food, I guess. This heartburn is something else. That’s the only reasonable explanation.

As I’m heading to my room, I take in the view of the ocean. This really is a beautiful place. Thousands of stars glitter against the cobalt-blue sky, and the way the moon illuminates the ocean makes it look mystical.

On the beach by the water’s edge, I catch sight of a lone figure.

I know who it is before my feet start moving in her direction.

She’s nothing but a shadow.

Her knees are pulled up to her chest, and she’s got her arms wrapped tightly around them, keeping the fabric of her burgundy dress from blowing. Her hair is another story. It whips chaotically in the wind, making her look a little wild.

Beside her, wedged in the sand, is a bottle of tequila.

“You gonna drink that by yourself?”

Millie turns her head quickly at the sound of my voice, then gives me a half smile. “Haven’t even opened it.” She snatches the bottle of Jose and swings it back and forth, the liquid sloshing near the neck.

That makes me feel a modicum better.

“You going to?”

She shrugs. “Didn’t have any limes or salt. And I didn’t want to drink alone.”

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