Chapter 16
“So, where is Romeo?” Brooke flinched as Justin sidled up next to her in the long line of guests holding sparklers to give Ian and Aubrey their fairytale send off. “I thought I saw him head to his car. Is he coming back?”
Was this guy still talking?
“I could ask you,” Brooke peered around the crowd, “the same thing. Did what’s-her-name need to go home and get her beauty rest?”
Gosh, she hated him. What had she ever seen in him?
Justin smirked. “I mean she is beautiful, but nah, she’s here, taking a load off. Her feet were aching from her four-inch heels.”
Brooke had admired how long and lean Justin’s girlfriend looked in her shape-hugging, gem-colored cocktail dress and her heels with the special red bottoms. She’d fit right in with Justin’s family.
“Ahh,” Brooke managed. She peered down the long row of guests. Their sparklers lit up the dark sky. The city lights made it impossible to see the stars. “I bet.”
“So, you never answered about your guy ditching you.” Justin smugly waved his sparkler.
Brooke could only think about punching him in the face.
“He didn’t ditch me. He was on call.” Brooke gritted her teeth. Two minutes around Justin, and he already managed to get under her skin and then the lies spilled out. “Emergency surgery. You know how it is.”
“I do.” Justin looked pleased with himself. Unfortunately, he continued, “I’m glad you found someone, that means I’m off the hook for feeling guilty. What’s the saying? It’s all water under the bridge.”
Maybe for him.
“Sure.” Brooke forced a tight smile. “Whatever you say.”
Then like a Greek goddess of the night, Justin’s girlfriend emerged from behind, tucking her hands around his elbow. “I was looking for you everywhere.” She ignored Brooke until she shifted and gave her a once over.
Her gaze formed tiny slits as she shot Brooke a death stare. If looks could kill, Brooke would’ve withered into a pile of ash on the spot.
“I’m glad you found me.” Justin peered toward the end of the tunnel of guests. “There’s the happy couple.” He pointed to the opening where the newlyweds emerged.
Aubrey and Ian had changed out of their wedding clothes. Aubrey had put on a loose and flowery dress in coral. Ian sported a casual sports coat and slacks. They were headed straight to the airport to catch the red eye flight to Aruba.
The long line of guests erupted into applause and cheers as they meandered through the tunnel of people. When Aubrey passed by her, she stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder. Their eyes met. “Have a great time,” Brooke shouted over the roar of the guests. “You look so happy.”
Aubrey smiled. “I am,” she shouted back.
Brooke dropped her hand.
Aubrey continued through the throngs of people to where their car awaited. When they arrived, everyone watched Ian help Aubrey into the passenger seat. Then he rounded the car and climbed in. Soon the car peeled out of the parking lot and merged into the sea of traffic on the city street.
An emptiness washed over Brooke as she had no choice but to head back to where she’d left her things.
She skillfully avoided Justin and his new woman as she trekked across the lawn to the reception area.
Her sparkler neared the end of its burning life.
Once it burned out, she tossed it in a trash bin.
She gathered up her things to leave, but then she remembered she had driven over with Aubrey in the car which now was headed to the airport.
In her mind, she had planned on Logan dropping her off at her apartment.
The thought of taking the L train home made her heart sink.
Loneliness seeped into the very fiber of her being.
To make matters worse, she ran back into Justin and his girlfriend on her way out.
“You headed home?” Justin loosened his grip on his girlfriend’s waist. He peered around then finally asked, “Did you need a ride?”
“I’m okay.” Brooke clasped the front of her jacket closed.
The coolness of night had been fought off by heaters surrounding the tables and dance floor.
Now, they had run out of gas and she was no longer in the cozy reception tent.
The night air was cold and made her shiver.
She tried her best not to let her teeth chatter and shifted uncomfortably on her feet.
Why hadn’t she remembered to bring a pair of comfortable shoes to wear home?
“We can give you a ride.” Justin unrolled his arm from his girlfriend’s waist. “It’s on the way.”
She’d rather eat dirt than get into a car with them.
“No, thanks.” Brooke crossed her arms in an attempt to stay warm. “I have a few more things I promised Aubrey I’d do before I left.”
Brooke remembered she had offered to return Ian’s tuxedo. She needed to head back to fetch it.
“We could wait,” Justin offered.
Why was Justin being nice? Guilt?
“No. I’m fine.” Brooke moved to leave. “Have a nice night. It was nice seeing you again.”
Then she didn’t wait, instead she booked it across the lawn toward the bridal suite, a room off the chapel of the church, where Aubrey said she would leave their things.
Once inside the comfort and quiet of the small room, Brooke collapsed against the back of the door, sinking down it as though the day had drained the strength from her bones.
She had pushed Logan away, and she only had herself to blame.
Her mind reeled as she replayed their kiss on the dance floor. The light brush of their lips, the feeling of strength in his hands, and his manly scent filling her lungs. If that was the last kiss they ever shared, at least it was a memorable one.
Logan wondered if he should whip back around and head back to the wedding.
The light up ahead turned red and forced him to come to a stop.
He tapped his hands on the steering wheel and matched the random beat of some song he’d heard a hundred times but couldn’t name.
Go back, go back, go back. The words vibrated in his mind and competed against the thump of the song’s beat. And say what?
Green light, Logan eased off the brake and shifted his foot to the gas.
If he headed back now, he could catch Brooke before she left, maybe even give her a ride home.
But she told you to leave. Yeah, that was right.
Leave and call Shelby? Why? He thought the kiss they shared said everything he cared to get across and more.
Kissing Brooke, well, he didn’t have enough time to unpack how mind-blowingly good they were together.
They fit. Why didn’t she understand he knew what he wanted?
His phone rang, blasting it through the Bluetooth speaker of the car, silencing the music. Danielle’s name flashed across his dashboard. He groaned. If he didn’t answer, she’d only call again and again until he picked up.
He slapped the answer button on the dash and hissed, “I hope you’re happy.”
“Geez, take it down a notch,” Danielle replied.
Logan passed through another light. Then the next light changed from green to yellow. He made the last second decision to slam on his brakes and wait. His blood simmered a touch below exploding.
“Brooke told me to go out with Shelby and figure out if there is something there. She told me she won’t go out with me again until I do.” He raked a hand through his hair.
“I always liked Brooke,” Danielle calmly replied.
“What on earth are you talking about?” The light turned green. Logan peeled off the line and passed through the intersection then turned right onto the street which led to his apartment. “You’ve been pushing me to date Shelby.”
“I like that Brooke recognizes that you have unfinished business with Shelby. If you go out with her then decide Brooke is for you, I’ll be happy to see you end up together.”
“Danielle,” his jaw twitched. “You’re going to pay for this whole thing.”
“Nah, you’ll thank me later when you end up with the right woman.”
His building came into view. He turned into the driveway which led to the communal garage below it.
“Which is who exactly?” Logan pressed the garage button on his car visor and waited as the large garage door to the parking garage opened.
“Umm, I’m not sure yet, but at least you have two very solid leads which is more than you had a few months ago.”
“I might end up alone,” he countered.
“Or you might end up with the right woman.”
“This is not how things play out in romance movies.”
“It’s exactly how they play out.” Danielle cleared her throat. “Now call Shelby, take her out and then either close the chapter or open it back up.”
“Fine.” He gritted his teeth then parked his car. “I’ll reach out to Shelby.”
“Perfect.”
For everyone but him.