Page 85 of Forever Then

I don’t look back as I swipe my clutch from my seat and a champagne flute off a passing butler tray. Without slowing my stride, I down the champagne in one gulp, drop the empty glass on a nearby table and flee the scene.

The ballroom doors click shut behind me and the music simmers to a dull thud pulsing through the wall. I release a breath from so deep in my lungs it feels like I’ve been holding it for a lifetime. Or, at least for the past twelve months, two weeks and four days.

Chapter Thirty-One

THE WEDDING: PART 2

Connor

three years ago

The moment Alexis showed up,I knew I’d made a huge mistake.

When I turned and saw her at the back of that aisle dressed in something you could barely classify as a dress, I wanted to walk right up to her, apologize for my mistake and tell her to leave. But in a matter of seconds, her arms were around my neck, then Gretchen was there and I couldn’t keep up with what was happening. Before I knew it, the wedding planner was whisking me upstairs to join the wedding party and I didn’t know where Gretchen had gone.

And now, there she goes again, purse in hand, crashing through the ballroom doors like I’ll never see her again. I want to chase after her, tell her she has it all wrong.

Alexis laughs, a harsh reminder that I’ve put myself between a rock and hard place. “That girl’s still got it so bad for you?” She toys her fingers in the hair at the back of my neck. I bristle at the contact.

“What are you talking about?”

“Oh my God, you didn’t know? Gretchen was, like, totally obsessed with you in high school.”

“That’s not true.”

“Connor, are you kidding me? That summer after you and Drew visited, she could not stop talking about how hot you were. It was adorable but also kind of pathetic.”

Her mouth crooks into a smarmy grin, a look that says she’s won. Only, I didn’t even know there was a competition to begin with.

I look down at her, my frustration evident. “Did you know who I was that night at the bar?” She rears her head back in offense. “Did you?”

“Of course I did. But you recognized me, too.”

“Why on earth would I know who you were?”

“Because we’d already met!” she says incredulously.

“What are you talking about?”

She scoffs. “That summer you and Drew visited. I met you at the coffee shop and I was at Gretchen’s house that day we were all hanging out by the pool.” She pauses, eyes hopeful for remembrance to dawn on my face, but it never comes. “Whatever, it’s fine. It was a long time ago.”

I remember both of those days and I remember other girls being there, but I couldn’t tell you what any of them looked like. Gretchen was all I could see.

“Well, I don’t remember you.” The words land with a harsher sting than I intend them to. “I’m sorry. That didn’t come out right. If you knew who I was, why didn’t you say that? Why did you lie about how old you are?”

“My boss was standing right next to me and I’d had to lie about my age to get the job. I thought you recognized me and were just playing some flirty game, pretending we didn’t know each other.”

I actually laugh. Out loud, because the notion is so ridiculous. “That’s not how I flirt, Alexis. And I don’t like liars.”

Surprisingly, she looks remorseful.

“You’re right. I’m sorry,” she says softly. “Do you think we could start over?”

A better man would accept her apology. But I’m not the better man in this scenario. All I can think about is whether or not Gretchen is coming back.

As it turns out, lovesick morons stuck pining for the one girl they can’t have make really terrible decisions.

I unclasp Alexis’ hands from around my neck and step away. “I need a drink.”

---