Page 131 of Fumbled Into Love

I’ve always liked Davis. He’s upfront and honest and never played a person behind their back. If he had an issue, you knew about it. It was either resolved or he went about his business and you knew he didn’t like you.

“Didn’t know I was going to be traded.”

Oof. What can I say to that?

“I have to find my girlfriend,” I smile apologetically, “but let’s get lunch before you have to leave.”

Davis nods and I scurry away, beelining for my beautiful girlfriend and my serpentine ex-fiancee.

I slide to a halt and when Savannah’s attention lands on me, my skin crawls from the way her eyes roam over my body.

Nathalie looks over her shoulder and her fake smile morphsinto something genuine. My heart skips a beat when she looks at me that way and I ride that feeling to power through whatever conversation with Savannah I’m about to endure.

Five years and she looks no different, but I’ve changed and that is a freeing thought.

“Hi, Deon.”

Savannah’s lip ticks up into a flirty smile, and bile rises in my throat.

“You know my fiancé?” Nathalie’s voice is two octaves higher than normal and she leans into my chest, dragging her fingernails along my abdomen in a possessive touch.

“Fiancé?” Savannah questions with a small frown.

What?

I school my confusion and let Nathalie do whatever she’s about to do. I can’t stop her, I can only agree with whatever nonsense she decides to say, the same way she agreed with my wackadoodle idea of fake dating.

Best insane question I’ve ever asked.

I only hope that she agrees to my next insane plan. The one I’ve spent the last week mulling over.

“We haven't announced it yet, but we’re engaged!” She lifts her left hand, a massive emerald on her finger. The same emerald I’ve seen on Maren’s finger. She throws her hand in Savannah’s face, who scowls. “Isn’t it beautiful?” Nathalie leans into my side, “Deon knows how much I loveLord of the Rings, so he got something to commemorate that.”

“Deon and I were engaged once.”

Instead of congratulations or a polite smile, that is what Savannah responds with. I wish I could say I was shocked.

“That’s old news.” Nathalie waves her hand in dismissal and the emerald catches the light. Savannah bites her cheek and I choke back a laugh. Whenever I thought about seeing her again, there was this sick dread that I would clam up and shut down, but as Nathalie assesses her, there’s nothing but pity for who she’s become.

I loved her once, truly loved her, but the woman standing before me is not the woman I fell in love with in high school. She morphed into someone I didn’t know. I’d like to think I’ve grown into someone better, too.

“I also heard you refused to give him blowjobs.” I choke, and Savannah pales. “Is that because you are afraid of failure?” Nathalie leans in conspiratorially. “He is quitelarge. There’s no shame in not being able to handle him,if you know what I mean.”

We all know what she means, but that’s enough. I grab Nathalie by the hand, attempting to pull her away.

“It was nice to see you, Savannah,” I lie. The only thing that was nice about this encounter is the stupid, stunned look on her face.

A deep laugh rumbles from behind me.

“Leaving so soon?”

Brian moves to stand beside Savannah, who stares at Nathalie like she wants to murder her. I want to drag her into the nearest closet and show her exactly how much I enjoy watching her confront Savannah, half-drunk.

I know she has at least some alcohol coursing through her veins because she would never confront her sober.

I force a smile at my former best friend, the man I thought would stand beside me at my wedding but slept with my fiancée instead.

“I have friends I want to see,” I say. “Hope you both enjoy your night.”

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