Page 30 of Perfect Score

And I’d rather be alone than settled for.

I grab my suitcase and head for the bed, laying the heavy black luggage on top.

I pull out a clean pair of underwear and the slacks I packed and then head for the bathroom.

It only takes me a few minutes to get fully dressed, and then I walk out of the bathroom.

Zoey is waiting for me with a small clutch under her arm.

“You clean up nice,” she says.

“Thanks,” I say, and then grab my wallet and room key off the small desk in the room. “So do you.”

“Is it too much?” she asks, running her hand down the side of her body, touching all the curves that I wish were mine. “Do you think Liam will like it?”

“Trust me… he’ll like it,” I say, and then head for the door, opening it for her and letting her walk out first.

There are a hundred other compliments I could pay her on how she looks and about how there is no one else on this planetthat compares to her. But if I’m not careful during this weekend, there’s a very good chance I’ll end up with something that I have no business having anymore.

Hope.

Chapter Ten

Zoey

Seeing Brent in a towel earlier was exactly the distraction that I needed. The nerves of heading downstairs to the bar to face Liam and Shelby were starting to get to me.

The man is a Greek statue with chiseled muscles and a sharp jawline—a girl’s wet dream. Add in that he plays a physically demanding and brutal sport, and Brent’s sex appeal is off the charts. It’s no wonder that there’s never a shortage of women interested in him, and it's even more reason why thinking that I ever had a chance with Brent was silly.

Initially, it was the real reason I agreed to go out with Liam.

Liam was a talented hockey player, although not at Brent’s ability.

Liam had other qualities, too. He was popular in school… smart and attractive, and best of all… he was interested.

Deep down, I always knew that Brent was out of my league. Far prettier and more popular girls from our school were all vying for Brent’s attention, though he seemed to pour most of his attention into hockey rather than relationships. That seems to be one thing that hasn’t changed much over the years.

After a short time, Liam won me over with his sweet, yet sometimes overly expensive gestures and eagerness to take me out and show me off. Liam made me feel special, just like Brent did with his secret snacks and notes in Spanish.

Liam was attainable and realistic. It didn’t take long for me to fall for him.

My belly turns as we take the elevator down to the lobby floor, where the bar and wedding party are waiting for us.

I feel a little relief to have already seen Liam when we first arrived, but now I will spend the next few hours watching him with Shelby.

Brent offers his arm for me to hold onto. I wrap my hand around his biceps.

It gives us that little bit of physical connection to make us look like a real couple while also ensuring that I don’t slip on these glossy stone tiles.

Walking into the bar, I see that the place is decorated with twinkle lights and Christmas ornaments wrapped around tinsel and strung out in the dark wood rafters of the Irish pub-style interior.

Light Christmas music streams through the sound system as we walk in.

“You’re here. Finally,” I hear Phoebe say.

I look around for her until I spot her waving her hands in the air.

She’s sitting with David at a large round table in the corner of the bar, surrounded by a few of the groomsmen and bridesmaids.

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