Page 26 of Second Chance Ex
I allow my gaze to rake over Prue, and I have to bite back my smile when I notice the red lipstick she’s wearing. I know Prue, and even after our time spent apart, I know that she doesn’t wear makeup to school; she hates makeup at the best of times. Which means she put on some lipstick, maybe even some shit around her eyes, fluffed her hair, all to come and meet me. I don’t miss the way my heart swells in my chest at that thought. She’s sitting a little straighter, shoulders squared, chin held high. But I can see beneath the stoic mask of indifference she wears, the look in her big dark eyes tells me all I need to know; she’s both confused and concerned, and maybe even a little—dare I say it—hopeful?
I take a sip of my IPA, watching her watch me. “What would you like to drink?”
She shakes her head as if on autopilot. “I’m fine.”
I arch a brow, but I choose not to push the issue. Nonchalance is her defense mechanism, and I get it.
With my elbows resting on the table, I clasp my hands together and rest my chin on my interlocked fingers, looking out over the people milling about the bar. I glance at the television that plays a muted game of the Niners clincher from the end of last season. I look up at the beams in the ceiling as if they’re the most interesting feat of architecture. I basically do all I can to avoid Prue’s gaze that is currently staring directly at me, an expectant arch to one of her delicate brows.
“I just thought it would be good to catch up,” I begin with a casual shrug. But I’m far from casual. Man, the things this woman is capable of doing to me, and she has no fucking idea. My throat is thick with something I’m not ready to admit to just yet, so I take another sip of beer, forcing my eyes to hers as I swallow. “You know, since I’m Best Man and you’re—” I pause to think for a moment, “—Best woman?”
“Maid of Honor,” she corrects, and if I’m not mistaken, her lips twitch with the hint of a smile she’s trying to bite back.
I look down at my glass. “Yeah. As Best Man andMaid of Honor, I thought maybe we should talk.” I force my eyes back to hers as I continue tentatively, “About the bachelor party.”
She blinks at me. “What do I care about abachelorparty?”
I lift one shoulder. “Well, since Maddy has made itabundantly clear that she doesn’t want Ryan going to Vegas like I originally suggested?—”
Prue purses her lips ever so slightly and shit, why did I have to mention Vegas? I know exactly what she’s thinking. And she has every right to think just that. Why would Madison trust her soon-to-be-husband in Las Vegas with the likes of me? It’s still a sore spot, obviously and with good reason, but honestly, I’m not that guy anymore. Truth be told, I never wasthatguy, but again, I digress.
“I thought we could combine the bachelor and bachelorette party?” I suggest.
She says nothing, just stares at me with that unimpressed look in her eyes that’s both intimidating and a little hot, if I’m being honest.
“I’ve rented a house in Tahoe for the weekend after next,” I begin. “The place ishuge. Eleven bedrooms. All ensuite. An indoor swimming pool, an arcade room. A hot tub looking right over the lake. I’ve booked a chef to come in and cook a real fancy dinner for us one night. And we can just chill at the house, drink, play some games, maybe venture out on the town. And there’s a spa not too far, I thought maybe you girls could go do your girly thing while us fellas hit the slopes…” I trail off when I notice the way Prue’s eyes widen.
“You hate the idea.”
She scoffs. “Well, not necessarily. But I was thinking maybe dinner and drinks at a bar somewhere here in town.” She shifts a little in her seat, suddenly looking more than a little uncomfortable. “Some of us aren’t on NFL-sized salaries, remember, and I already have a goddamn bridal shower to organize.” She rolls her eyes.
I can’t stop the grin from tugging at my lips because she’s just so damn cute. “I’m paying.”
Prue huffs a sigh and folds her arms across her chest, and I know that move well. She’s pissed.
I quickly hold my hands up in defense. “I’ve already paid, so it’s pointless trying to argue.”
She rolls her eyes then, muttering something under her breath.
“So, are you cool with the idea?”
“Whatever.”
Okay, so it’s clear to see she’s still a stubborn piece of work. But, that’s one of the things I loved most about her. Prue Watson is an adorable pain in the ass at the best of times.
We sit for a few moments longer, neither of us talking despite all that needs to be said. But I can tell now’s not the time. But I also don’t want to end things right here. I like just being with her, even if she is acting like a sullen three-year-old. I’ve missed existing in her presence. It’s all consuming and comforting, like home. Man, I am fucking whipped.
I open my mouth to say something, ask her how she’s been, how’s work, but before I can get my question out, she speaks first, and her question almost makes me swallow my tongue.
“So, are partners invited?”
I stare at her, my brows knitting together as I try to make sense of what she’s just asked. “What? Where?”
She arches an eyebrow, looking at me like I’m an idiot. “Tahoe.”
Partners? What the fuck? Is she seeing someone? She didn’t bring anyone to the engagement party, and neither Ryan nor Maddy have mentioned anything,although Maddy refuses to talk to me about Prue, with justifiable reasoning of course. But surely if Prue were seeing someone, I’d have found this out by now. I take a big gulp of my beer to clear the lump at the back of my throat.
“Uh, yeah,” is all I can manage, offering a casual nod and a noncommittal shrug of my left shoulder, like I don’t give a shit when I most certainly do give a shit because, again, what the fuck?
