Page 13 of Embracing Trust

I scan the guests and see Kevin and Amy in a firm embrace as they sway to the music. Kevin is one lucky bastard. Someday, when I get my life back on track, maybe then things will look different.

Julia turns to me. “You want another beer? I think I’m going to grab a cola.”

“Nah…I better not. I’m driving.”

“How about a cola?”

“Sure.”

I move my arm off her chair, and she scoots out, stands, and runs her hands down the front of her dress. Her movements bring her intoxicating scent into my nostrils, practically hypnotizing my senses. I watch as she sways to the music toward the bar. When I was seventeen, there was never a thing wrong with her body, but to watch her confidently yet lightly carry herself to the bar reminds me she’s no teenager. She has no trouble filling out the upper part of that dress and her figure is shapelier now with her defined waist and hips.

I hear a tone and a buzz and glance down at the table to her unattended cell phone. The name Luke appears on the screen. She sashays away from the bar and back to her seat. I bite my lip. I want to say something—ask her who Luke is. A boyfriend?

I can’t ask her. It’s none of my business even if want to know. It’s been six years and I need to get a grip on reality. She certainly hasn’t been sitting around Claremont pining for me and all that we lost. She’s moved on.

She sits down, looks at me while she holds her wine glass to me. “Cheers.”

“Cheers,” I choke out. There’s a burning sensation in my gut as I think of her with someone else.

The phone buzzes again and catches her attention. She picks it up, swipes, and reads the missed text messages. She leans over to Merilee, and I strain to hear the conversation.

Merilee says something about Luke and all I can make out from Julia’s response is late Wednesday.

I have no say in what she does or who she sees. She’s moved on and someone else is making her happy and making her smile.

My stomach clenches at the thought.

She turns to me, her expression changing to concern. “You okay?”

I grunt. “Why?”

“You look…” her voice trails off as she studies me.

Like a crazed maniac? Like a man on a mission? Like I could rip you away from this table, take you out to my truck and kiss the living shit out of you? Yeah. Yeah, that’s how it is. One jealous bastard? Check. A man with unfinished business? Check. A man with a million and one regrets? Present and accounted for.

Chapter Eight

Julia

Thank goodness my bladder is empty because the pound on the table makes me jump and quickly turn around to see what’s going on. It immediately silences my conversation with Merilee about Luke.

When I shift to face Ryan, his hands are folded in tight fists. I can see in my peripheral vision that Merilee is leaving the table.

Thanks, Merilee.

Ryan cracks his knuckles and stretches his neck. His face is red, and he runs his fingers through his hair.

What’s going on with him? He’s acting strange.

“You okay?”

He lets out a grunt. “Why?”

“You look. . .” He doesn’t look angry, but his expression is unreadable.

Ryan drains his beer bottle and sets it down firmly on the table. “You wanna dance?”

I raise my eyebrows and wipe my sudden sweaty palms on my discarded napkin. “Are you asking me if Iwantto dance or are youinvitingme to dance,” I tease.

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