Page 51 of How to Ruin Your Ex's Wedding
I knew there wouldn’t be.
“So, I should call my insurance company back and tell them never mind?”
“You already called your insurance company? What the hell, Pax? When did you even have time? Plus, I was barely even moving and—”
“Relax, Tabs. I’m kidding. I was just trying to get a rise out of you.”
She sighs heavily, running her hand over her brow. “You know, today’s just not the day for that, Pax. Any other day and I’m happy to fight you. But today, I’m just too tired.”
In her defense, she does look tired. Beautiful, but tired.
I feel guilty for trying to rile her up.
Kind of.
“Hey, I was going to get a cup of coffee,” I say. “Would you like one? My treat, as an apology for getting in your way.”
She raises an eyebrow.
“And for trying to get a rise of you.”
She looks at me, her face a blank stare.
“And for not telling you sooner that I’m Matthew Hanhauser.”
She dips her chin in a gesture I take to mean acceptance. I wave my arm for her to walk ahead of me to the stairwell that will take us to the enclosed upper level seating area and coffee bar. We get our coffee and take a seat across from one another in a window-facing booth.
“I’m guessing you didn’t tell Simple—err, Hunter who I am since I still have the job?”
She shakes her head, then looks off toward the fading shoreline.
“You okay?” I ask.
She shakes her head again, tears pooling in her eyes. I’m tempted to move to her side of the booth and put my arm around her shoulders and comfort her. But I refrain, instead reaching a hand across the table.
“Hey, Tabs. Everything okay? What’s going on?” I don’t touch her, but I do leave my hand there as a nice guy gesture.
She pulls a tissue from her purse and dabs at her eyes. “Nothing. I’m fine. Just emotional.”
“Pregnant?”
“Pfft. No.”
“No sex before the wedding, huh?”
“What? No. I mean, yes. Of course we have sex. Actually, what business is it of yours?” She blows her nose delicately. “None, that’s what.”
“Hey, no judgment here. I’m all for sampling the goods before final purchase. You need to know what you’re getting. After all, you and I sampled—”
“I know what I’m getting and I’m perfectly happy with it.”
“Perfectly happy, huh? That doesn’t sound too convincing.”
“It’s great, okay. And if you must know, you’re the reason why I’m upset.”
“Me? What did I do?”
“You’re here, for one.”
