Page 10 of If You Need Me

“That explains why she wants a date for this thing,” Hollis says.

“Yeah, maybe don’t ever mention Brooklyn or Sean in front of her.” My feelings of loathing for them have only grown over the years. Sean was a pompous douche, and Brooklyn was a nasty piece of work. She would talk shit about Willy behind her back. And what they did to Willy at the end…it was unforgivable. Just as unforgivable as what I did. It was one of those instances in which I unwittingly wielded my popularity as a weapon, and Willy got hurt as a result. That was the last thing I’d wanted to happen. She didn’t come to prom because of it.

“It’s too bad she’s so opposed to driving up with you,” Flip says.

He has no idea he’s poking at wounds. Both hers and mine.Of all my fuckups—and there have been many—this is the one I wish I could take back the most.

I force a smile and gulp my drink. “We have a few weeks. She might change her mind.”Wilder things have happened.

“Good luck with that,” Tristan says.

“Thanks.”

Willy and me attending our reunion together would be a great way to put Brooklyn and Sean in their place and keep her safe from their assholery. They’ve been posting relentlessly in the reunion group about how excited they are to celebrate their engagement with everyone. I already despised those two. My tolerance for their bullshit has only diminished with this new development.

“As much as I’d love to stay here all night, Aurora and I are meeting Roman at the pool in an hour,” Hollis says.

“Shilps and I are going to the movies,” Ashish announces.

“Bea and I are staying in.” Tristan rubs his mouth to hide a smile as he looks at his girlfriend.

Flip ignores him. “It’s chess night with Dred. She always kicks my ass.”

Ah, yes. Dred. Flip’s neighbor, member of Willy’s Badass Babe Brigade, and the one woman Flip truly has a completely platonic relationship with. He calls her his other “little sister.”

We settle the tab, and all the paired-up people link hands and head out.

Willy hugs Shilpa and excuses herself to the bathroom. She doesn’t even look in my direction. It’s not surprising. Her disdain for me is warranted.

Ashish arches an expectant brow. “You coming?”

“I’ll just finish this.” I hold up my half-full whiskey on the rocks. I’m probably four drinks in. “And make sure Willy gets to her car.” Then I’ll call a ride for me.

Shilpa hides a smile in Ash’s biceps. I pretend I don’t see her and also that I’m not this transparent.

He claps me on the shoulder. “Have a good night.”

“You too.”

I take a seat at the bar and scroll through my phone while I finish my drink. My Willy radar goes off a minute later. She’s halfway between me and the bathroom, talking to some guy.

The dude is gym fit with shoulders and biceps that pop, probably because he’s half flexing. All white-toothed smile and fancy clothes, he exudes confidence. He’ll need it with someone powerful like Willy. She could chew most men up and spit them out.

Her eyes dart my way briefly. I have a PhD in Willy’s body language, and based on her panicked expression and the way she’s crossing her arms, she’s desperate to escape. That’s rare for her. She’s usually calm, cool, and collected—apart from when she’s dealing with me.

I down the rest of my drink, slide out of the booth, roll my shoulders back, and head straight for her. As I get closer, I pick up some of their conversation. Her voice is pitchy; it’s the same tone as her voice memos after I tell her I’m running behind for a promo op. She believes I do it on purpose, but typically it’s a result of unfortunately timed boners.

Her eyes flare at my approach. “Dallas.” Her smile is manic as her hand closes around my forearm and she pulls me to her side.

“Here he is! This is him.” Her nails dig into my arm.

My dick is instantly rock solid. “Here I am.”

“Dallas, this is Bert. Bert, this is Dallas. My boyfriend.”

I’m already shocked that she’s willingly touching me, so I’m pretty sure I imagined the wordsmy boyfriend. I look down at her, waiting for the punchline, but her smile is wide, and there’s real fear swimming in her eyes, as though she expects me to do something to embarrass her. Like deny it.

What she doesn’t realize is that I’ve been waiting a decade for this very moment. I wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her into my side. She’s tall. Nearly six feet of curvy, perfect woman. “Luckiest man alive.” I barely have to bend at all as Ipress my lips to her temple. She always smells like summer. This is the best moment of my entire life. “Bert, it’s nice to meet you.” I extend my hand. My smile feels like it could split my face in two.

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