Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Gage
Kate Wesley.
My Katie Wesley.
I stare at her back as she walks out of the showroom, disappearing down a long corridor.
I followed Myles to this bridal shop today out of a sense of duty.
He asked me to be his best man the day after he proposed to Annalise. That was two months after he sat down on a bar stool and poured his heart out to me.
I returned the favor by telling him about Katie.
When drowning his sorrow in beer stopped working, he looked to Annalise to help him forget the woman who had loved and left him.
It’s worked out well for him.
I yank on the tie around my neck.
I can’t remember the last time I wore a tie or a suit, for that matter.
The one on my back is courtesy of Myles. He took me to his tailor three weeks ago to get fitted for this.
I pulled out my credit card, but Myles insisted that it was on his dime. I scoffed, but he’s sparing no expense on this wedding so I’ll arrange a bachelor party he won’t soon forget.
The knot loosens and I breathe a sigh of relief.
I have no idea if the tie is what’s suffocating me or if seeing Katie is forcing all the air out of my lungs.
I finally break the tie’s grip on my neck enough that I can undo the top button of my shirt.
I’m a walking mannequin at the moment since Annalise has to sign off on what I’m wearing.
I’ll put on the suit one more time on the day of their wedding. After that, I’ll hand it off to someone who needs it more than I do.
“I’m liking the look, Gage.” Annalise points at me. “Don’t mess up that tie. The silk is imported from Italy.”
Priorities in Annalise’s world don’t mirror my own.
She’s a beauty by most men’s measure. Her brunette hair falls to the middle of her back. Her blue eyes are bold. Her face has landed on more than one fashion magazine.
She’s the dream that Myles needs to settle his past once and for all.
My past just walked out of this showroom in the form of a blonde-haired, hazel-eyed, spitfire of a woman.
“Everyone sit down,” Annalise demands with a sweep of her hand in the air toward a large curved bench. “I’m about to wow you with this gown.”
I had my wow moment.
Katie Wesley is hiding somewhere in this boutique and now that I know she’s here, nothing is going to stop me from righting the wrongs of my past.
“Are you running for mayor?” Zeke Morrow gives me the once-over. “If you are, don’t count on my vote.”
“What the fuck?” I toss my hands in the air in mock shock. “If I can’t count on one of my closest friends, who the hell can I count on?”
“There’s a cute brunette at table seven eyeing you up.” He gestures past my shoulder. “I bet you can count on her vote and an invitation to her place.”
I don’t bother stealing a glance at the woman he’s talking about.
Since I bought this bar, there hasn’t been a shortage of women wanting to take me home.
I don’t fuck customers. I leave that to Zeke.
He tends bar, does the books and when the urge strikes him, he’ll spend the night with a woman who wanders into Tin Anchor looking for more than a drink.
“What’s with the suit?” He pushes his eyeglasses up the bridge of his nose. “That’s expensive, no?”
“Very.” I nod as I finally pocket the tie.
After wedding dress shopping, I was invited to Nova, Annalise’s favorite restaurant.
I tried to bow out with an excuse about needing to relieve Zeke behind the bar, but Myles persuaded me to sit through the celebratory champagne toast.
I took off before the appetizer round left the kitchen.
“Myles picked it out,” I go on, tapping my hand on the top of the wooden bar. “It’s what the best man wears in his world.”
Zeke fingers the collar of the jacket. “This is premium. Myles spared no expense for his favorite guy.”
I swat his hand away with a laugh. “Your brother is building his Wall Street wardrobe, right? We’re about the same size. It’s his after the wedding if he wants it.”
“You’re fucking joking.”
“Dead serious,” I shoot back. “Myles knows I’m paying it forward after they tie the knot. If Grady wants it, it’s his.”
“He wants it.” He rakes a hand through his dark hair. “He’ll buy you a bottle of scotch to thank you.”
I point at the array of bottles on one of the shelves behind the bar. “I’ve got the scotch covered. He can let me beat him in pool the next time we play.”
“Deal.” Zeke looks over at a group of guys who just walked in. “I’m back at it. You hanging out here for the night?”
I look around. We’re busy, but Zeke has it covered. “I just stopped in to see if you needed me, but looks like I’m taking the night off.”
“Enjoy,” Zeke says as he walks away.
I’ll enjoy it more if I can track Katie down. I haven’t stopped thinking about her since I saw her this afternoon. Hell, I haven’t been able to get her off of my mind for more than two minutes in the past five years.
She’s a woman no man in his right mind could ever forget.