Page 67 of Something to Someone

“Just a guy.”

She scoffed, and I pushed my chair underneath my desk, straightening a few things before I looked up at her. She gave me an incredulous look.

“Whattt?” I asked, drawing the word out and slumping my shoulders. “What do you want from me? He’s just a guy, Nat.”

The words felt wrong the moment I said them. They didn’t just sour on my tongue. They made my stomach turn and my head hurt.

“The way you just said that. I don’t believe you,” Natalie said. I hadn’t thought to control my voice. I didn’t think that it would shake over the words. “But, whatever. If you don’t want to tell me, you don’t have to.”

“Nat, I—” I began, stepping toward her, but she waved me off then reached for my hand. She wrapped her fingers around mine and squeezed once. Her soft smile hit me directly in the heart.

“I’m serious. You don’t have to tell me everything, although that won’t keep me from being curious and wanting to know. I just…you can tell me when you’re ready.Ifyou ever are ready orifit becomes something worth telling.”

TWENTY-NINE

SUPER SLY

Caroline

Music carriedinto the ballroom from the smaller space just down the hall that was being utilized for the rehearsal dinner. It was a room that wasn’t as grand but was just as beautiful and looked out onto the courtyard as well.

White bulb lights were strung from tree to tree over the gray stone, highlighting the pristine, recently manicured garden. Wisteria that the owners were careful to take the best care of climbed the ivy-covered walls and delicately wrapped around the windows. I’d stood next to the fountain earlier in the night as the sun was setting and stared up at the beauty and grandeur of the home.

Now, I was staring longingly at the beautiful doors and wall of windows looking out onto the courtyard while standing in the reception hall, trying my damndest to make sure it was perfect for the next day.

“What do you think?” Addie asked, interrupting my yearning thoughts.

I turned to find her across the large, circular table we’d been working on. The centerpiece, minus the flowers which would be addedthe following morning, was in the center—the candles, the greenery, the table numbers—were all there and perfectly placed.

“It looks amazing,” I said, straightening the tablecloth and pushing in one of the cushioned chairs.

“Only twelve more to go,” she said. Addie smiled—I rarely ever saw her without a smile—but I could also see how tired she was beneath it. We were both exhausted.

We’d been decorating and coordinating all day. Greeting the wedding party and family when they arrived and ushering them to their rooms, then organizing the rehearsal dinner and ensuring more guests found their way to the party.

All the while, we prepared the reception hall and made sure the day of the wedding went as smoothly as possible. My checklist felt never-ending, but we were slowly ticking away at it.

I mustered the best smile I could and readjusted the bun I’d messily thrown my hair into.

“The rehearsal should be over soon, then Sarah and everyone else will be able to help us.”

“Did someone say help?”

I startled at the voice. I hadn’t heard any of the doors open, so when I spun, the last person I expected to see was Ryder striding toward us. He had his hands in the pockets of his slacks, and he was missing the tie I’d seen him wearing earlier. The top button of his shirt was undone, showing off the column of his throat and tan skin.

An easy smile spread across his face, and I felt it down my arms to the tips of my fingers and all the way to my toes.

“You’re the best man, you should be enjoying the rehearsal dinner,” I said. “Making sure the grooms are happy and stress-free.”

Ryder stopped in front of me, and I caught his eyes flitting down my body. I wasn’t much to see in a mostly shapeless black dress and sensible shoes. It was something that both looked nice for when I was helping with the rehearsal and was easy to move aroundin while setting up the reception. But from the way Ryder looked at me, you would think I was wearing that bikini again.

“I’ve done my part. It’s Theo’s turn. So, put me to work,” he said, stretching his arms out to his sides like he was an offering.

Like she could feel my hesitation, Addie chimed in, “We do kind of need the help, Caroline. I can feel myself fading, and I know you are, too.”

Since that afternoon in my office when we’d almost been caught by Natalie, I’d been extra careful. Ryder and I both had been. We didn’t spend any extensive time at my house. Instead, I went over to his new apartment and parked far enough away from his unit that even if Natalie did randomly show up, she wouldn’t see my car. He also didn’t show up at my office unannounced anymore or try to sneak a quick kiss when we were both at Natalie’s.

The two times we had been there at the same time, it had been hard to resist, but we managed.

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