Page 124 of Company Ink

Once I'm a couple of yards away, Blake's head turns towards me, his eyes narrowing. Is he just as confused as I am? Or did he know I'd be here?

"Hey," I say casually, avoiding his gaze.

"Hi."

Hi? That's it?

I suck-in a sharp breath, forcing myself to look up at him. "Not to be rude, but uh—what're you doing here?"

Blake's eyebrow quirks up. "Me? I could ask you the same question."

I motion to my dress. "Maid of Honor, self-explanatory."

Blake hums, scanning my face. "Yes, I caught that."

I lean in towards him. "Okay, well, how do you know—"

"Nate!" Matt charges Blake from the side and slaps him over the shoulder. "You made it, buddy! I wassureyou'd come up with some sort of excuse not to be here. Colton owes me twenty bucks."

I blink rapidly. What the fu—"Nate?" I ask slowly. "What?"

"Ah, shit!" Matt exclaims, laughing. "I guess you've never met. Cassie, this is Nathaniel, he and I went to high school together back in the day."

More blinking because I am so lost right now. "Nathaniel? What? I'm so confus—" I pause, remembering the day I bumped into Blake at the medical center.Want to know something funny? Blake's not even my first name.

Oh...my...God.

"Your name isNathaniel?!" I exclaim, realization dawning on me.

Blake nods, shrugging. "Nathaniel Blake Pearson."

Suddenly, Monique comes up beside me, smiling so hard her face could crack. "Cass! You've met Nate!"

I quickly grab Monique's elbow, pulling her away from this shit show. I'm being so obvious right now, but fuck it! This situation is beyond repair. "Nate is Blake," I say through my teeth.

Monique's forehead creases. "What?"

My eyes widen. "Blake!" I whisper. "As in Pearson & Associates,Blake!"

"What?" Monique's face pales. "Oh...shit."

"How did younotknow?" I whimper. "God, Monique, this is so awkward!"

Monique shakes her head. "I'm sorry! I didn't know! I knew his last name was Pearson, but I didn't put it together! It's a common last name! Like Smith... or Jones."

I close my eyes. "This is unbelievable. How well do you know him? Do you guys hang out?"

God, I feel like I'm in the twilight zone right now.

"I've met him three times in the last year or so? He never comes out. Matt says he's always working...Fudge!I didn't even know what he did for a living. I'm sorry, Cass!"

I take a deep breath. "It's fine, it is what it is."

"Are you going to uh—talk to him? You know...abouteverything?" Monique asks quietly. "Does he know you're not with Adrian anymore?"

I grunt, closing my eyes. "I guess I am now!"

Maybe this is a good thing. I got closure with Adrian and now I can get closure with Blake. He doesn't seem pleased to see me so I'm not expecting a very long conversation. But the way we ended things wasn't ideal.

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