Page 5 of Had To Be You

I pull my duvet up to my chin and close my eyes, listening to the ticking of the clock on the bedroom wall. I let out a deep breath and eventually fall back into a deep sleep.

* * *

“Did you get the dick pic today?” Olivia asks, her eyes wide and twinkling. It’s just the two of us, working together at Bloom. We’re busy mock-creating her rehearsal dinner centerpieces – getting an idea of what she likes and doesn’t. We’re also creating the centerpieces for her rehearsal dinner tonight - a task she refused to hand over to anyone else. She insisted we do them together for old time’s sake.

“Is this a joke?” I ask, my nose crinkled,

“Would I joke about something like that?”

We both answer at the same time: “No.”

As I wait for her to fill in the blanks, I take a sip of coffee from my favorite mug, the one that says, “I’m not always this amazing. Sometimes I’m asleep.”

“Didn’t you check the group chat yesterday? Miles posted a picture of Liam in his suit for the wedding. His pants were way too tight and let’s just say you could see everything south of the border. He is HUGE!”

“Oh that. Yes, I did.” I bring my mug back to my lips to cover the grin that threatens to give me away. The picture was hot. Liam looked hot. I’m breaking a sweat just thinking about it again, but there’s no way I’ll admit to it.

“That’s it? That’s all you have to say about it?”

“Olivia, he’s your fiancé’s brother. I am not having this conversation with you. It feels all kinds of wrong.” I am also not going there with her because I know where this line of questioning will lead. You and Liam would be perfect together… blah blah blah.

“You’re zero fun today. Just make sure fun Ellie shows up at my rehearsal dinner tonight. That’s all I ask.” Olivia runs her hands down her work apron and reaches for another empty vase. I grab a handful of green stems and get back to work creating something I think Olivia will love. She insisted on pink, white and chartreuse green flowers just like the ones we created for her soon-to-be mother-in-law’s anniversary party - the very same party where Parker and Olivia found each other again after years apart.

“You know it. I’m looking forward to celebrating with you. I’m just so freakin’ happy for you, Liv. You are going to outshine every bride who has ever come before you.”

“Thanks, Ells Bells,” Olivia says as she shears the end of a peony and jabs it into the arrangement in front of her. “Now can we talk about Liam again?”

I glare at her and respond through a mouthful of coffee. “No.”

“Come on. Is it going to be weird seeing him again tonight?”

“Only if he makes it weird. Honestly Olivia, I don’t know why he would. We were drunk. We made out in a bathroom at your party. It was months ago. It’s done. Besides, the guy hardly speaks.”

Olivia ignores me, which means she disagrees. But I stand by what I said. Liam Bennett is moody, stubborn and a complete control freak. He’s infuriating. Not even his piercing brown and gray irises or his deep gritty voice can sway me. Not even his “dick pic,” which I’m having trouble erasing from my mind. Lord, he looked good. Nope, not happening. Stop it, Ellie.

By the time Olivia and I finish the last of the arrangements we have a clearer picture of the centerpieces for the wedding. We load the flowers one by one into our Bloom van. I’ll drive them myself to the rehearsal dinner venue then head home to get ready for the party.

I give Olivia a hug goodbye as we leave, then lock up the doors to Bloom. I hop into the van and crank the engine to life. I rest my head against the cool leather seat and remind myself again that Liam is infuriating, that he drives me crazy.

So crazy.

Then why is my pulse racing at the thought of seeing him tonight?

Chapter Four

Ellie

There are a few ways this could go. Liam could opt for the silent treatment and pretend that I don’t exist. Or he could go with the nothing-ever-happened routine and brush our whole washroom make-out session from a few months back under the rug. There are other possible scenarios, but I shake them from my head as I enter the upscale restaurant Parker and Olivia have chosen for tonight’s rehearsal dinner.

I take in the scene. The restaurant is stunning. The walls are painted a pale gold and there are glass chandeliers resembling jellyfish dripping from the ceiling. A wall of glass windows are pushed open on the far side of the room to a patio and a breathtaking view of the ocean. The sun is still high in the sky, and it’s unseasonably warm for April on the coast. The dining area is dimly lit with candles, casting a glow over the white linen tablecloths. Along one wall, there is a gold-veined marble bar that stretches longer than a runway. Guests are busy mingling, glittering crystal champagne glasses in their hands. We have the entire restaurant to ourselves.

I carefully make my way deeper into the restaurant, teetering on the new four-inch heels that I splurged on for tonight. My magenta, one-shoulder minidress is giving me life and the extra boost of confidence that I need. My hair is down in waves. I quickly scan the room, trying not to acknowledge the fact that I’m looking for one person in particular. Why would I want to see that killjoy?

“There you are, and holy crap Ells, you look hot!” Olivia greets me, handing me a glass of champagne. “That dress is everything.” She takes me in her arms, and I squeeze my hands around her tiny waist.

“Thanks, babe. So do you. The restaurant looks beautiful,” I gush. “I can’t imagine what the wedding will look like if this is only the rehearsal dinner.”

“I know, right? Especially with Mrs. Bennett hosting,” Olivia says. Parker’s mom is well known in Reed Point for throwing extravagant parties and charity dinners that rival any celebrity event. When Olivia asked if they could have the wedding at the Bennett estate, Grace Bennett practically jumped with joy. “I wonder sometimes if she is more excited about the wedding than I am.”

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