Page 12 of My Ex-Fiance's Best Men
I know they don’t. I shake my head slowly, a strange kind of relief washing over me. I’ve spent so much of my life worrying about people noticing me, judging me, when in reality most are too busy with their own lives to pay any attention. The ones who do, the ones who judge, are focused on me because they can’t deal with their own shortcomings.
Mom. Crystal. Georgina.
Matthew.
Off the top of my head, these are the people who have consistently tried to put me down, one way or another. A jab here, a snide remark there… I overlooked it for so long, but now I see them as people with ugly, dark sides, their characters so foul I would never want to be around them, much less be like them.
“In the grand scheme of things, how other people see you really doesn’t matter,” Dominic says. “The only opinion that does is the one in the mirror.”
He inches closer, and I’m tempted to respond, my body completely ignoring my brain. Instincts kick in, and our lips almost touch. I feel his breath, warm and enticing. One more inch and we’ll melt into each other. My heart stops beating altogether.
“Sally, not that far!” a woman screams somewhere nearby.
The moment passes.
Dominic looks out, concern pulling his brows into a frown as August and Theo quickly get up, equally worried. I follow theirgaze to see a young woman struggling to swim back to shore as the waves rise higher.
“Shit,” Dominic curses and bolts.
I watch, astonished and unable to move, as the three men run toward the water long before the lifeguard realizes what’s happening.
“Oh, my God, Sally!” the woman on the beach screams. She’s terrified, but her fear quickly fades as Dominic reaches Sally.
A few lunges and strokes was all it took for him to go against the waves and to fetch the girl back to safety before the currents swept her under. That’s the danger of going into the ocean if you’re not an experienced swimmer. You could drown.
I can’t help but wonder what will happen to me if I go all in with Dominic, August, and Theo. Will I drown?
4
PHOEBE
Day two in Hawaii. I barely slept last night.
I tossed and turned, wrangling with my own thoughts and the sudden changes in my life. I thought for sure I’d get a good night’s sleep, given yesterday’s physical exertion in the water and the lingering emotional damage of the cancellation of my wedding.
At least I’ve had a great view all day. August, Dominic, and Theo have been so fun, enticing, and generous with their time and energy. The positivity comes off them in waves, and I feed on it.
Evening has fallen over the beautiful island of Hawaii. “I’ll be right back with your drinks,” the waitress says as we take our seats.
Theo booked us a table at the resort’s Asian fusion restaurant—a Michelin-starred haven overlooking the ocean and part of the private beach. Lush green leaves rustle in the darkness, a warm breeze kissing our skin beneath the starry sky.
“I can’t get enough of this place,” I say, getting comfortable in my seat as I open the menu. “Everything is just perfect.”
“Your ex-fiancé has a smidge of good taste. Gotta give credit where it’s due,” August replies.
Their sand-colored dinner jackets and white shirts set off the copper their dark hair has caught from the sun. Theo has left his blonde mane loose, looking dashing in a pale blue shirt. It matches the hunger glowing in his eyes as he glances my way.
“You’re going to sleep like a baby tonight,” Theo says.
“Who, me?” I ask, blushing.
“Oh, yes. I’ll make sure of it.”
I give him a wry smile. “Oh yeah? I take it you have plans.”
“I made plans long before we got here, Phoebe. I’m just executing them now.”
Dominic chuckles. “It’s been a while since the three of us have been in such perfect sync.”
