21. Lucia
twenty-one
Lucia
I keep everything I’m feeling right now to myself. Harlow hasn’t noticed that Matt is here, and I never even told her who Anna is. It’s better that she remains in the dark so she doesn’t fixate on that.
The bridal party sits at our table at the front of the ballroom, watching as Knox twirls Harlow around to yet another Taylor Swift song—this time You Are In Love —during their first dance. I don’t think either of them has stopped smiling since they said I do.
I still can’t stop myself from looking out into the crowd, though. I spot Matt and Anna together at a table near the back. I don’t recognize anybody sitting with them, so I’m still not sure how they ended up with an invitation. I’ll just ask Harlow about it after her honeymoon.
When the first dance ends, Harlow and Knox turn to all of us.
“Come here,” Harlow smiles. “We’re sharing a dance with our friends.”
“All of you,” Knox adds.
I sigh, stand up, and walk out to the dance floor. When the song that starts playing is slow—the wedding version of Ordinary by Alex Warren—I watch as the rest of our friends couple up and dance with their partners.
Which leaves me to dance with Ari.
“Guess you’re with me, Spitfire,” he chuckles, and I force a smile in return. Ari takes one of my hands in his and rests the other on my hip, and I place my free hand on his shoulder. We start swaying along to the music, but my mind is still somewhere else. “You look nice tonight, Lucia.”
“Hm?” I say, snapping back into reality. “Oh, um, thanks, Ari. You look nice as well.”
He eyes me curiously before pulling me closer to him so he can whisper in my ear. “Are you okay? You seem a little off tonight.”
“Not really,” I whisper back. “Have you noticed anyone here tonight?”
“Should I have?”
I let out a deep breath. “Matt is here. With Anna.”
“What?!” he yells in a hushed tone. “Why are they here?”
“I have no idea,” I admit. “I never told Harlow about Anna, so I’m thinking she’s the one who was invited, and Matt is her plus one. She wouldn’t have thought anything of the names since they’re so common, and she would’ve told me if she knew who they were.”
“Look at me, Lucia.” I lean my head back and look at Ari, losing a bit of myself in the depths of his deep brown eyes. “Don’t focus on them tonight. Two of our best friends just got married, so try to keep your focus on them.”
“I’m trying,” I reply, unable to tear my gaze away from him. “I’m hoping Harlow doesn’t notice him here. I know everyone else will see, but that’s fine. They all know I won’t let him bother me.”
Ari looks at me sympathetically. “He clearly is bothering you, though.”
“No,” I shake my head. “I’m not bothered by the presence of a cheating dickwad.”
“Dickwad?” he laughs.
“Shut up,” I say, pushing on his shoulder playfully.
He smiles softly now. “It’s okay if you have feelings about it, you know.”
“But I don’t,” I lie. “I’m stronger than letting him get to me.”
I don’t think Ari believes me, but he does drop the subject. We spend the rest of the song dancing with our friends, swaying on the dancefloor.
I let my thoughts go, just for the song, and enjoy the moment for what it is. My friends are married, and I’m dancing with Ari.
And, surprisingly, I really like that.
As soon as the song ends, I make a beeline straight to the bar. I desperately need a drink. The bartender hands me my vodka soda with a lime wedge, and I take a long sip before resting against the wall.
“Lucia Torres…” a female voice says, startling me as they come to stand beside me.
I feign nonchalance. “Anna.”
“Weren’t expecting to see me tonight, were you?” Her tone is so faux-sweet and smug, and I would love nothing more than to punch it out of her.
“Can’t say I was,” I shrug.
“Harlow and Cole are my third cousins,” she chimes. “When I got a plus one, I knew I had to bring my boyfriend.”
“And you did,” I say flatly, wishing she would just leave. “I saw Matt here with you tonight.”
“You know he doesn’t think about you at all, don’t you?”
“Okay?” I reply. It’s such a blatant lie because the man will not leave me the fuck alone.
“I think it bothers you that he chose me.”
“I don’t give a shit that he chose you,” I bite, keeping my voice low. “He’s a cheating asshole, and he’ll cheat on you one day, too, Anna.”
When she can see that she isn’t getting to me, she digs deeper. “Did he tell you how long we were together?”
“I know he was with you for six months before we broke up.” I stare ahead, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me try to keep it together. “Dumbass left the receipt with all the jewelry he bought you at my place, and I found it when I was gathering his things.”
From the corner of my eye, I can see her smile turn malicious, and I’m wary of what comes next.
“Oh, sweetie, it was longer than that. We got together shortly after you two did.”
They were together our entire relationship?
Matt told me he was cheating on me for six months, apparently only admitting to what I had evidence for.
“So why involve me in the relationship at all?” I ask. “Clearly, you two wanted to be together. He should’ve just let me go.”
“No fraternization policy at work.” She rolls her eyes. “But I left that job now so we can love each other out in the open.”
“Good for you,” I state through gritted teeth.
“It is good for us,” Anna smiles. “We’re so happy together.”
“Again, good for you.”
I see a figure approach from my other side, and of course, it’s Matt joining us.
“Hey, Lucia.”
“Matthew.”
“I was just telling her how happy we are together, Matty.”
Gag.
“I hope you two enjoy the wedding,” I say abruptly, backing away from them before turning around and exiting the room.
I need space.
I need air.
And most importantly, I need to be away from them.