Page 61 of About Last Night

She blushed, and he decided the picture of her standing barefoot next to the bed, with disheveled hair and wearing her T-shirt inside out would remain in his mind forever.

"I guess I'll see you at the wedding," he said, then left before he could change his mind about walking away. He had problems in Kentucky that needed his full attention immediately, he reminded himself as he rode to the lobby. The sooner he got through the wedding and on a northbound plane, the better. Guilt bound his chest like a vise.

Steve was waiting for him in the lobby, jingling change in the pocket of his tailored slacks, looking every bit the part of a successful plastic surgeon.

"I haven't seen her," Steve said as he walked up, clearly perturbed. "I downloaded a tracking app to her phone, but apparently she left her phone at her sisters' house."

Derek bit his tongue, hard. "Ready to get a bite to eat?"

"Let's hang around in the lobby for a little while, just in case a news camera shows." Steve craned his neck and scanned the massive lobby.

Derek frowned. "Or Janine."

"Huh? Oh, yeah."

Rankled at his seeming indifference, Derek said, "If you don't mind me saying so, you don't seem particularly attached to your fiancée."

Steve shrugged. "What's love got to do with it, right?"

With his attitude of taking things lightly, Derek marveled how the man had made it through medical school. Then the answer hit him—Steve only tookrelationshipslightly. "Well, it matters quite a bit when you consider you'll be spending the rest of your life with someone."

His friend turned back and presented a dismissive wave. "If you're thinking about what I said about her not putting lead in my pencil, don't worry. My surprise wedding gift to Janine is a pair of D's."

Derek frowned. "What?"

"You know—D-cups." Steve held his hands, palm up, wriggling his fingers in lewd squeezing motions.

Nausea rolled in Derek's stomach. What did Janine see in this guy? Hell, why did he himself call him a friend? He struggled to keep his voice calm. "That's kind of cruel, Steve. And unnecessary, from what I saw of Janine."And felt, and tasted,his conscience reminded him.

Steve scoffed. "You always did go for the mousy ones, didn't you, pal?"

So unexpected was Derek's fist that Steve was still smiling when he popped him in the mouth. Steve staggered back, his eyes wide and angry. An expletive rolled out of his bloody mouth, but he kept his distance. "Have you lost your freaking mind?"

"No," Derek said evenly. "But you've lost your Best Man."

Steve's face twisted as he swept his gaze over Derek. "Fine. I only asked you because Jack let me down."

"You and Jack," Derek said, wiping the traces of blood off his knuckles, "are two of a kind."

"You're jealous," Steve retorted. "You were always jealous of me and Jack."

Derek set his jaw and turned his back on Steve, recognizing the need to walk away. A light from a news camera blinded him, but he didn't stop. At least Steve had gotten his wish—he'd probably make the local news.

Steve's spiteful words clung to Derek as he stabbed the elevator button. Jealous, ha. In his opinion, the man had only one thing worth coveting. He stepped into the elevator and leaned heavily against the back wall. A man knew his limits. He'd never competed with Steve or Jack for a woman, and he wasn't about to start now.

But at least he had his memories.

Chapter 17

JANINE CLOSEDthe room door behind her and slung over her shoulder the pillowcase containing her ill-fated costume, her high heels and the items Manny had brought her. She'd managed a quick shower, but didn't have time to dry her hair, so she'd simply slicked it back from her face with gel. The single pair of shorts and the sole T-shirt she had left were so form-fitting, she'd decided to wear the coat. Buttoned and belted, admittedly it looked a little weird with the yellow flip-flops, but she didn't care. A hysterical laugh bubbled out. With so many problems, she should be soluckyas to have the fashion police haul her away.

Her feet were so heavy, she could barely walk. When she reached the elevator bay, the overhead display showed one car on its way up. For a few seconds, she entertained the idea of waiting for it, then she changed her mind and headed for the stairs. Why tempt another panic attack?

Descending the stairs slowly, she tried to sort out the ugly tasks before her. Marie said she'd be there in an hour, which gave her time to find Manny, and talk to Steve.

Talk to Steve.

Her joints felt loose just thinking about it. Funny, but in her mind, breaking their engagement seemed anticlimactic compared to confessing she'd somehow misplaced a family heirloom that was worth twice as much as her education had cost. And priceless to his mother, she knew. Her stomachpitched. Oh, well, being in debt was the American way. Some people made thirty years of payments on a house, she'd simply make thirty years of payments on a ring. That she didn't have. And would never truly be able to replace.

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