Page 131 of Mark my Words

“Go,” I growled as I pulled my phone out of my pocket. “I’ll check my email while you’re gone.”

Unlocking my phone, I scrolled through my inbox with one hand, trying to block out the music as I toyed with my empty glass in my other. Maybe I needed a refill. Becca and Keith were wrapped around each other, not paying any attention to the rest of the room. I wouldn’t sneak out, but if they insisted on me staying longer, I needed more alcohol.

The bar was relatively empty, only a few of Brett’s groomsmen lingering with the promise of free beer. We’d gone to high school with a few, but I’d been gone for a long time. I sat down heavily at one of the stools, not wanting to sit by myself at the big empty table. It wasn’t like anyone would miss me, and I was biding my time until I could get out of here.

KRISTINE

KALAMAZOO, MI

When I arrived at the address programmed into my phone, the parking lot was full. Music poured out of an open side door as I grabbed my bag and headed toward the lobby. The wedding was still in full swing, but I could only hope Sam was still here with how late I was arriving.

“Do you need help checking in?” The clerk asked as I wheeled my suitcase toward the desk.

“I’m already checked in, but would it be possible for someone to take this to my room?” I asked, gesturing at my small suitcase.

“Of course, let me verify your room number,” she said with a smile, holding her hand out for my keycard.

Handing it over, I glanced down the hallway, seeing flower arrangements on a large table just past the sign for the ballroom.

“Oh.” She smiled. “You’re part of the wedding block. Let me take this so you can get back to the reception.”

“I’m running a little late,” I apologized, my flight delays having thrown off the original plan.

“Dinner finished a little while ago, but the seating chart is by the door. Do you know which table you were assigned? I can have catering send out an extra plate since you missed dinner.”

“You don’t need to bother.” I waved her away, my nerves rising. Maybe it’d be better if I headed upstairs instead and left Sam alone. “I ate at the airport.”

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out. An alert was on the screen for my group text with Kelly and Chase.

Chase: Are you there yet?

Kelly: Did you find him?

Chase: We’re dying for details!

Kelly: But we’ll leave you alone since you’re probably getting laid.

Chase: Fingers crossed, but hopefully not your legs!

An animated gif scrolled across the screen of Kevin Hart with the words: It’s about to go down.

Kelly: Or at least someone is! Get it, girl!

Shaking my head at their ridiculous banter, I fired off a text to let them know I was at least at the hotel, even if I was too chicken to find Sam.

Kristine: Here, suitcase dropped off, big girl panties on.

I saw the dots scrolling across the screen as I walked toward the closed double doors.

Kelly: Should have left the panties off. Becca texted me a few minutes ago they were stalling him in there. Hurry up!

It was disturbing how much of a group effort this whole thing had turned into, but I appreciated all the help they’d given me, along with Sam’s sisters. They all could have easily told me to stay away from him.

Chase: I will fly up there and beat you if you screw this up!

Kristine: Okay, okay. Going. I’ll find him.

Now that I was here, all the ways I’d screwed this up over the last several months wouldn’t stop running on a loop in my head, and I hesitated. I understood firsthand why the heroes in Chase’s books freaked out while trying to pull off their grand romantic gestures. This was hard. I could walk through that door, and he could refuse to talk to me like I’d done to him at the engagement dinner. He’d have every right to blow me off, I’d been horrible, and I had no idea where we’d go from here, but I’d experienced losing him. And that hurt.

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