Page 57 of Love Letter Lost
A jab in the ribs from Audrey brought me back to the conversation in front of me.
“Earth to Mallory. I don’t know if you noticed, but you have a very attractive,availableman currently standing in front of you, and you’re completely ignoring him,” Audrey whispered, nodding towards Jefferson.
“I know, but—”
“No ‘buts.’ Ridge has a girlfriend, and for once in your life, it looks like your mom may have set you up with a good guy. Don’t you think Jefferson deserves a shot?”
The earnest expression on Audrey’s face brought me back to reality. She was right. I wasn’t going to throw away this opportunity. I nodded, turning back to the conversation.
“Fascinating!” Chloe exclaimed. I had no idea what had warranted such enthusiasm, but Jefferson seemed to appreciate the attention.
“Um, Chloe, I think I need a glass of water. Walk with me?” Audrey slipped her arm through Chloe’s, pulling her away and leaving me alone with my date.
“Your roommates seem nice,” Jefferson observed as they walked away.
“They’re the best.” I took a deep breath and pushed on, committing to this moment and conversation. I would leave with no regrets tonight. “You mentioned that you’re working on your master’s. What are you—”
“Mallory!” Amber cooed, cutting off my question as she and Ridge rushed over. She gave me a hug, and I stiffened. “Who’s your friend?”
“This is my date, Jefferson…I’m sorry. I don’t think I know your last name.” I laughed, trying to cover my embarrassment. I watched Ridge’s eyebrows scrunch together as he looked back and forth between Jefferson and me.
“Miller.” Jefferson shook hands with them, ever the polite guy. “I just met Mallory tonight, thanks to some family meddling, but I can already tell she’s an amazing woman.”
I felt my cheeks heat at the compliment.
“She is awesome. This wedding would have fallen apart without her.” Ridge gave me a nod, staring at me, his eyes intense and filled with…admiration?
“It’s great that you were able to make it back in time for the dinner, Amber. That was such a short trip.”
“Well, I finished my business, and I couldn’t leave this guy alone at a wedding. Someone might try snatching him up.” She wrapped her arm around Ridge’s waist, looking up at him with a smile. “When she heard I’d be back in time, Livvy was kind enough to invite me to the bachelorette party tonight too. She didn’t want me to be alone since she’d talked David into inviting Ridge to the bachelor party.”
“That’s great,” I lied, gritting my teeth into a smile. It wasn’t enough that I had to navigate a blind date with my mother watching, but now I had to watch Amber and Ridge through dinner and then play nice with Amber afterward.
“I can’t wait for the bachelorette party. Pedicures and pajamas are right up my alley.” Amber gave me a huge smile, though it felt fake. Almost as if…she saw me as a threat. Which was ridiculous, wasn’t it? Ridge was about to propose. How could I possibly threaten that relationship if he was ready to take the next step?
“I came home from setting up the reception to find her waiting at my mom’s house so we could drive over together,” Ridge commented, his lips curving in a smile.
Was it just me, or was that smile forced?I shook my head, certain I was reading too much into the situation.
“What can I say? I love my Rigdon.” Amber stood on tiptoe and planted a smacking kiss on his cheek, leaving a faint pink spot from her lipstick.
Thankfully, Livvy chose that moment to tell everyone to take their seats.
Sitting through dinner was more torturous than watching paint dry. Sitting next to Jefferson proved the highlight. He was a great conversationalist, and had it been any other event, I likely would have given him my phone number and asked him to call. Instead, I was too busy battling my emotions to focus on the date next to me. Ridge and Amber sat across from us, the two of them the definition of a gag-worthy couple. She kept running her hands through his hair, laughing at everything he said, and sharing her food. I nearly begged them to get married tomorrow and make it a double wedding. Anything to end the spectacle. Interspersed through it all, Amber made comments about how cute a couple we made and how lucky I was to have found Jefferson in time for tonight.
As the meal came to a close, I excused myself and slipped outside for some fresh air. I leaned against the restaurant’s patio railing, taking in the warm June night, trying to tell myself that the evening could only get better.
“There you are.” I looked over to find Jefferson walking towards me, his keys in hand.
“Sorry, I needed a moment. I was starting to feel a bit claustrophobic.” I flipped my hair over my shoulder and forced a smile, attempting to at least not makehislist of worst dates ever.
“Understandable. I don’t know how I’d handle being blindsided by a date at a family wedding, especially with my ex, or whatever Ridge is, also in attendance.” Jefferson leaned on the railing next to me, looking straight into my face. “Unless I’m reading that entire situation wrong.”
I paused before shaking my head. Maybe, if I told someone my true feelings, they would fade and I could move on. “Ridge and I never dated, but he broke my heart once. We basically spent the entire week together and now…now I think he’s stolen my heart again.”
The words felt odd on my tongue after being bottled up for so long, but the relief I felt at saying them was intense.
“Wow, that is quite the blow. Does he know how you feel?”
