Page 3 of Josh Dalton

Instead of going after her right away, I keep her in my peripheral, so I don’t lose track of her. I wait until a guest distracts my mother before making a move. It takes time to make it around the pool to get close to her. Can’t just walk by people and ignore them when they call my name. But boy, would I like to.

I’m within striking distance when I get a good look at her. What a knockout. I can’t help being captivated by her beauty. Her stunning blue eyes against her creamy smooth skin make her seem almost unreal. Her smile is genuine. What an angel. I hope to God she isn’t married to one of my cousins. How would they feel when I stole her away?

She keeps edging closer to the house. I believe she’s trying to make a graceful escape. I can’t let that happen until I find out who she is. I grab two glasses off a tray while I make my way toward her. I catch up and touch her back with the glass of champagne I’m holding. She twirls around and bumps into it. The drink floods the front of her dress.

“What the ...”

I quickly put the glasses down and grab a napkin from a server. Attempt to swipe the liquid off her. Don’t realize until it’s too late that I’m rubbing her boobs. Oops.

Her face turns red as a cranberry. I feel bad. Just wanted to meet her, but not like this. I eye her dress. The top part is completely soaked. Bet it doesn’t feel very good.

“You can clean up in one of the bathrooms,” I tell her. “Let me show you the way.” I walk past her, hoping she follows me. She does.

When we get there, I open the door and she walks in. I want to follow, but I don’t think she wants my help. I’m not leaving, though, until I can talk to her and properly apologize. I’m usually a lot more graceful when meeting women. What happened here?

CHAPTER FOUR

KIM

The house is impressive. Looks like it belongs in Hollywood Hills, not on the outskirts of Chicago. Seems like all the houses around here are nice. Can’t imagine growing up in a place like this. How lucky.

Ryder’s mother, Jenny, offered to hold the engagement party at her house. The out-of-town relatives were staying here, so it made perfect sense. I arrive early to help with any last-minute problems that might arise. Zoey is one of my closest friends.

Ryder’s family and Zoey’s friends make up most of the guests. Thankfully, Jenny kept the numbers down. I hardly know anyone here except my friends, Rachel and Beth. And Bea, who is like a mother to Zoey.

When the party is in full swing, it’s time for me to leave. I’ve helped Zoey all I can, and Rachel and Beth want to stay and flirt with eligible men. The pickings are slim, other than Ryder’s brothers. I was introduced to the two who were here. One hadn’t shown up yet. They seemed nice, but I wasn’t interested.

Zoey warned us to stay away from them. They’re players and into one-night stands. I don’t do that.

My goal right now is leaving without any fanfare. The back door is in sight when something nudges my back. I turn to check what it is. It’s a who. And he is very attractive. And clumsy. How do I know? He drenches me with a glass of champagne. I gasp.Frigid.

I stop myself from saying something nasty.

He begins massaging my chest with napkins. If I wasn’t red before, I am now. I back away, and he continues. I honestly don’t think he knows what he’s doing until someone behind him laughs. He stops in mid-pat. I cover my chest and eye the exit. I’ve got to get out of here.

“Sorry about the mess,” he says. “Let me show you to the bathroom so you can get cleaned up.”

I should probably do that. Need to get this sticky champagne off me. It’s gross.

I follow him down a hallway, and he opens a door for me. I poke my head inside. It’s a bathroom. Had to double-check. I step in and close the door, hoping he’ll be gone by the time I’m finished. At least now I have a reason for leaving.

He’s leaning against the wall when I open the door. I didn’t get a good look at him before. He’s at least six inches taller than me, with dark brown hair and a rugged jaw. Nose is a little crooked, and he has a few scars on his face. A man’s man.

His eyes hold mine when I step out of the bathroom. I scurry down the hall away from him. I just want to go home.

He latches onto my arm and stops me. “I’m sorry. Here, let me pay for your dress.”

I shake my head, but that doesn’t stop him.

“No, it was my fault,” he insists.

He slips two hundred-dollar bills into my hand. I can’t take this. I paid twenty dollars for it at a thrift store. I try to hand the money back, but he won’t take it. I lay it on a table next to me.

“Thank you, but I don’t need your money,” I say through clenched teeth. I don’t feel like being nice right now. I hit the door and leave him standing there.

I make it to my car without further ado. Get in, start it up, and put my foot on the gas. By the time I get home, I’m embarrassed how I treated the stranger. I don’t know who he was, but I hope I don’t run into him again. That would be awkward.

CHAPTER FIVE

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