Page 30 of Where We Met

"What's crawled up your ass and died?" Marcus asks as we stand in front of the mirror, getting ready.

I work the tie through the loop, trying to focus on the task at hand. This has been the week from hell. Ignoring Savannah, even going so far as racing out of class before she can talk to me, has taken its toll, making me feel like a grade-A asshole.

"Will you stop asking me that?" I grumble. "I'm fine."

"Looking sharp, gentlemen." Gabe walks into the room wearing his tux.

He's a lucky bastard, marrying the woman of his dreams today. He's finally getting it all, and though I'm so relieved everything is finally working out for him, I'm also a jealous prick.

"He's talkin' about me." Marcus smiles to himself in the mirror.

"You're such a dumbass sometimes." I shove him as I walk by.

"You ready to get this party started?" Gabe smiles with excitement.

They landed on having the wedding at their house in Shaker Heights. They have a huge, enclosed tent in the backyard with heaters to keep the guests warm.

The ceremony goes smoothly, beginning with Alexis looking beautiful while her father walks her down the aisle. We are hustled to the large patio so they can break down the wedding ceremony seats and set up the dinner tables and dance floor.

I grab myself a glass of champagne from a waiter passing by and stand at one of the high-top tables, observing the guests and decorations.

"Everything turned out great, didn't it?" Pa asks as he settles in next to me.

I take another long swig of the champagne, which isn't landing hard enough for the kind of emotions swirling around inside.

"Yeah, I can't believe they put it together in less than two weeks."

Pa takes a sip of his wine. "You know your mother, just about anything can get done when she puts her mind to it."

I laugh at the accuracy of his statement. "Truer words have never been spoken," I say, struggling to add real enthusiasm to my tone.

"Something going on, son?" Pa asks.

"Why would you say that?"

He shrugs. "You just haven't been your usual easy-going self today. I thought I'd be pulling you off one of the many single younger ladies here tonight."

Are there single ladies here tonight? I hadn't even noticed. I guess that is unusual for me. I really am messed up over Savannah.

"It's nothing, Pa. Well," I begin to clarify, knowing that answer won't be enough for him, "nothing that I want to talk about at the moment."

He claps me on the back. "I'll give you a pass today since it's your brother's wedding. Next time, I won't let you off the hook so easily."

"Noted," I reply.

He walks away to mingle with the guests while I take another drag of the champagne, deciding this isn’t going to cut it and that I need to switch to the hard stuff tonight.

My stomach growls when I see the hors d'oeuvres come out on silver platters, reminding me I skipped lunch today. I try to peer into the tent where the food is being prepared to get a hint what’s for dinner, but when I do, I nearly drop my glass.

Savannah is here.

She’s dressed in a black long-sleeve button-down shirt and black pants. She's carrying a tray of food and laughing at something another waiter just quipped from behind her. I didn't know she worked for a catering company, which is a stark reminder that I really know very little about her. I know what her breasts look like and the exact shade of pink her pussy turns when slicked in her arousal, but I didn’t know she had a job.

My heart starts to race as I watch the waiter catch up with her and she gives him a carefree smile. He looks to be around her age, and one thing is clear: he fucking wants her.

I'm a man, I know when another man wants a woman.

She hasn't noticed me, and I'm not sure if I want her to or not. What good would come of it? I haven't been able to look at her without thinking of our phone call, and she deserves more than that.

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