Page 78 of Over the Moon

“Damn, girl, you look like hot business Barbie,” Lulu said.

Henley and Emilia both gushed over my look, and I thanked them all for being here for me today.

I’d been down in the dumps the last few days.

Clark was doing everything that I asked him to do, yet I wasn’t happy about it.

I hated how distant he was being.

I hated that I hurt him.

I wouldn’t have thought that possible, but hearing what Lulu said hit me hard.

Clark and I had a connection, whether we liked it or not.

And even though we couldn’t act on it, it didn’t mean I needed to be cruel.

I was so in my own head that I hadn’t stopped to think about how it had made him feel.

I grabbed the notebook on my bed after the girls left, and I glanced through it. We hadn’t written in it since our date, and I hated that. So I jotted down a note to him because I wanted to do it while I was all in my feelings. I’d give it to him at our next practice.

Chadwick,

I’ve been a real jerk. Fear took over, and I’m not proud of it. First, I want to thank you for the best date I’ve ever been on. I had so much fun, and you made me feel so special. I should have told you that the next morning.

I shouldn’t have asked you to pretend to hate me. I was scared and insecure, and I messed up. I hope you can forgive me. Even though we can’t do it again, I’m grateful for your friendship. You’re the only guy friend I’ve ever had. Thanks for making me laugh every day, teaching me your dance moves, and being the best athlete on my first stint as a trainer/therapist. We’re allowed to be friends. I just felt like everyone could read my feelings like an open book. It’s hard not to act on them most days, so please understand that I’m just trying to do the right thing.

XO,

Weeze

I sighed as I tucked the notebook into my dresser drawer and grabbed my purse. We were meeting at Rosewood’s. I hadn’t been there, but apparently, it was not only the best steakhouse in Rosewood River, but people from all over the Bay Area traveled here just to eat there.

I got in my car and drove the short distance to the restaurant. My father had texted when he arrived an hour ago, and they were all dropping their bags at the hotel and then heading over to Rosewood’s.

I opened the door, and my attention immediately moved to the loud laughter coming from the dining room. I’d know my father’s laugh anywhere, but it was also Clark’s laughter that was so familiar.

The hostess greeted me, and I took in the cherry wood décor and the rustic chandeliers hanging throughout the dining room.

“I see my party over there,” I said.

“Great. They were just waiting for you to arrive.” She led me to the table, even though I could clearly see them a few feet away.

“Thank you,” I said to the hostess, and all four men pushed to their feet.

I hurried over to my father, catching Clark’s eye over Dad’s shoulder.

“Look at you, Ells. I missed you,” Dad said.

“Missed you, too, Dad.” I pulled back and made my way around the table, greeting the other men.

Randall’s cheeks were flush, so it was clear he was a few cocktails deep. He pulled me in for a hug, which surprised me. He was in his fifties, close to my father’s age, though Dad hadn’t gone gray as Randall had.

I hadn’t met Sebastian Wayburn yet, and he was a good-looking man, a few inches shorter than Clark, with dark hair and a dimple on his left cheek. I extended my hand for a quick handshake and then turned to Clark. I wasn’t sure if we would hug or shake hands, but I didn’t have time to decide.

He gave a curt nod, no hug or shaking of the hands. “Hello, Eloise.”

And then he took his seat, which was on the other side of the round table from where I was sitting between my father and Sebastian Wayburn.

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