Page 7 of Holiday Intercepted
Lydia’s brows drew together tightly in the center of her eyes. “Scott’s not out oftown.”
My spine went stiff and I slowly turned my gaze to Steve who was staring intently into his drink. “He’s not?” I asked, my voicecold.
“No,” Lydia continued. “He’s right over there.” She pointed to the edge of the room where, sure enough, he was chatting with a couple of thecaterers.
“Huh,” I said, my voice lacking enthusiasm. “Imaginethat.” I glared at Steve, taking another large pull of my beer. “I was promised he was out oftown.”
Steve held up a finger. “Actually, what I promised was that you wouldn’t have to talk to him. I just… well, Iimpliedhe would be out oftown.”
“You what?” Cam hissed. Then, looking to me, Cam said, “Taylor, I had no idea Steve promised you that. I just assumed we would sort of keep you two separated, and maybe if you were ready, the two of you wouldtalk.”
I gnashed my teeth together, taking deep breaths through my nose. I tipped my head back, taking down half my beer, then called out to the bartender for a whiskey, neat. If Scott was here, I needed a hell of a lot more than just beer to get through thenight.
“You know what?” Steve said. “I’m not sorry I lied. It was over adecadeago. I know you were put through a lot of shit that year, but Scott isn’t a bad dude. And he issorry. You should grow up and hear himout.”
“Don’t tell me how to heal, Steve. I mean it. You’re my friend and I care about you, but don’t force me to forgive before I’mready.”
Steve snorted and shook his head. “If Yvonne can forgive me for nearly killing her when we were seventeen, then you sure as hell should find a way to at least talk to Scott. His mom died, too youknow.”
My spine stiffened at that. His mom. Another sore spot in our weird history. Even still, my heart ached knowing that Scott had to deal with his mom’s passing. Paige, too. I sighed heavily and grabbed the whiskey, double fisting my booze and nodded at Lydia and Cam. “It was nice meeting you,” I said and moved to make my way into thecrowd.
Cam’s hand stopped me, grasping at my elbow. “Don’t leave.Please.”
I turned, looking at them from over my shoulder and offered a small smile. Baby steps. “I’m not leaving,” I said. “I’m just taking a moment and grabbing some freshair.”
And with that, I made my way toward the back door. I had seen an outdoor seating area with a fire pit and it felt like the perfect place to sip my whiskey amidst the fallingsnow.
