Page 11 of Three Pucking Wedding Dates

He shoots me a cold look before turning back to Oakley, still refusing to respond. His silence speaks volumes, and I can see the hurt flicker across Oakley’s face as she tries to maintain her composure.

“Fine,” she mutters under her breath, her eyes narrowing slightly in frustration. “If you don’t want to talk, I won’t force you. But I thought we were friends, Theo.”

Theo’s expression doesn’t change, but something in his eyes seems to waver for a brief moment before he looks away. Hestands abruptly, and without another word he walks out of the room, leaving Oakley and me alone.

What was that?

Theo’s always been quiet, maybe even a bit cold, but rude? Especially to Oakley? That’s new.

Oakley seems to feel the same way, given the way her nose is wrinkled in an attempt to hold back tears.

“Hey,” I say softly, breaking the silence. “How about we forget all about Theo for now and go celebrate our big win?”

Oakley shakes her head slowly, her gaze still fixed on the door through which Theo left. “I don’t know, Reid…I’m pretty tired. Maybe I should just call it a night.”

“Come on, Oakley,” I coax, giving her my signature charming smile. I hate seeing her like this, hurt and unsure. “Just one drink, to toast to our victory? You kind of owe it to me.”

Her green eyes flicker back to meet mine, and I can see the curiosity piqued in them. “Owe it to you?”

“Of course,” I reply, my tone light and playful. “I’m going to this wedding with you, aren’t I?”

A slight smile tugs at the corners of Oakley’s mouth, and I know I’ve captured her interest. She hesitates for a moment before finally relenting. “Alright, fine. One drink. But then I’m going straight to bed.”

“Deal,” I agree with a grin, relief washing over me as I see a spark of her usual fiery spirit returning. As we make our way out of the premium room, I can’t help but wonder what brought Theo toact the way he did tonight. I know he cares for Oakley, despite his stoic facade.

For now, though, I’ll focus on making sure Oakley enjoys herself. Whatever is going on with Theo, we’ll deal with it another day.

“Where are we going?” she asks, her voice tinged with curiosity.

“Somewhere fun,” I reply cryptically, winking at her. “I’ll tell Gray.”

6

OAKLEY

The clink of glasses and low murmurs of conversation envelop us as Reid and I settle onto barstools, the wood smooth against my thighs. The scent of whiskey and citrus lingers in the air, mixing with the faint undercurrent of polished leather.

“I’ll never forget the time you set that fireworks display off in your backyard.”

“Hey, that was an accident!” I protest, laughing despite myself. The memory of the chaos that ensued still brings a smile to my face—one that Reid gladly shares.

“Marvin was furious!”

“Trust me, he still is.” I smile harder, thinking about the look on my dad’s face. “And what friends you were. Y’all left me to explain on my own!”

“Hey, it was every man for himself at that point.”

“Anyway,” I say, redirecting the conversation to something that’s been weighing on me since I saw him again, “how come youdidn’t recognize me earlier at the rink? It’s not like we haven’t known each other for years.”

Reid grins and leans back on his stool, studying me with a playful glint in his eyes. “Well, Miss Price, it seems you’ve managed to shed your caterpillar cocoon and transform into a stunning butterfly. You’re gorgeous now, do you know that?”

“Flattery will get you nowhere, Reid,” I scoff, but I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks, betraying my appreciation for the compliment.

“You know me,” Reid continues. “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it. What I can’t understand is how Dan could fumble so badly when he had you? I’ve seen the guy—he was already under your league. What could he have gotten that’s better than you?”

I breathe. “My stepsister.”

Reid’s eyes widen, but as he opens his mouth to say something, the bartender makes his way over to us. “What can I get you tonight?”

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