Page 12 of September's Kiss (Loving the Curvy Girl)

“Of course,” I said quickly, dropping back into my chair.

Ember just stood there for a minute, tears lighting her gaze as she glared at me.

“What do you want from me?” she asked, sniffing softly. “I thought you were a nice a guy. Are you really Tommy’s friend?”

“Yes,” I insisted, planting my palms on the table and trying not to raise my voice in frustration. “Ember, I swear to you, I was just coming to see you today, and I was nervous. So, I stood across the street and by time I had my nerve up, you were leaving.”

“How did you know where I work?” she asked.

I wanted to lie to her. I wanted to tell her that Geoff had mentioned it at the wedding. Or that Tommy had told me. Something, anything was better than the truth. But I couldn’t do it.

“I searched for you on the FBI database this morning,” I admitted.

“I have to go,” she said, a tear slipping down her cheek. “Do not call me. Do not step foot in my work or my home or I will have you arrested.”

She ran from the building and I sat there trying to look innocent under the murderous glares of every other patron in the restaurant.

Son of a bitch, I’d really screwed that one up.

I shot Tommy a quick text, very badly explaining what had just happened in case Ember went home and called her sister. Then I paid the bill, gave a large tip and apologetic smile to the waitress, and headed home to think about what a fucking idiot I was.

Chapter Nine

~Ember~

The rest of the week, I was so busy I didn’t even have time to think about what a creepy, treacherous snake Joshua Crane was. I’d bitched and moaned about him to Geoff and Kathy, who had let me crash at their place for a few days. They’d also managed to bury me in wedding work. I wanted to believe it was to keep my mind off of Joshua, but really I think they were using my rage to get their work done for them.

By Saturday morning, the red mist of anger was almost dissipated, and I actually realized that maybe I’d been a little unreasonable. I really hadn’t given him a chance to explain himself to me. I’d just been so scared and mad that I’d exploded.

It was too late now, anyway. I’d well and truly slammed the door on Joshua, and I supposed I’d just embrace that spinster life I’d always expected.

“Are you okay?” Geoff asked as I slipped a rose into his buttonhole.

“Yeah,” I promised him, smiling brightly. “My best friend is getting married today. And tomorrow, I think I’m going to go get a cat at the shelter. I’ve never been better.”

“Maybe you should call Joshua,” he suggested, his tone hesitant.

“Maybe you should shut the fuck up and think about your future bride,” I said, smiling sweetly. “You look very handsome.”

“And you look miserable,” he said.

The alarm chirped on my phone and Geoff and I both sighed.

“Let’s go get you married,” I said happily.

As his best man, I got to stand at the altar with him and hand him Kathy’s ring and try not to cry into my bouquet. It was a beautiful service and I’d never been so happy for Geoff in my entire life.

After the “I Do’s” the wedding party congregated for photos while the guests were shown into the ballroom of the hotel they’d rented for appetizers and mingling. An hour later, we were led there as well.

The DJ announced each of us as we entered and even though I’d been there the whole time, I still went a little misty eyed when Mr. and Mrs. Geoff Kregg made their first appearance as husband and wife. The happy couple immediately circulated to start greeting guests and I went straight to the bar for a cocktail. I vowed to only have one, remembering with a sharp pang of remorse what had happened last weekend.

As if thinking about him had conjured him, I looked up to see Joshua standing just inside the entrance doors to the ballroom. I set my drink on the bar and walked over to him.

“Oh my God, youarestalking me,” I hissed, grabbing his arm and yanking him toward the hallway. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Geoff invited me,” he insisted. “I have a real invitation and everything.”

“But why are you here?” I crossed my arms and glared at him. “I told you, I don’t want to see you.”

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