Chapter 3
Jordy
I leaned on the bar of the hotel restaurant where the rehearsal dinner was being held, waiting for a moment to slip away to retrieve my sister’s jewelry.
Every time I tried to get away, there was another reason I had to stay—the toast, the wedding party gifts—on and on until it was just past eight and I still hadn’t made the trip.
“Have another beer.” The best man thrust a bottle of beer towards me but I pushed it back down the bar.
“No thanks. I have to drive in a bit.”
The look of surprise that crossed his face was in slow motion due to the amount of beer he’d already consumed. “Where are you going in this weather?”
“What weather?”
“Dude, we’re getting a huge storm. The roads are going to be impassible.”
“Not until later. I’ll be well back before the roads are covered.”
There was a storm predicted later tonight but there were hours yet before it hit and this was New England after all. We were used to driving in all kinds of weather. The Best Man was a college buddy of the groom and lived in Florida. Of course he’d think a few inches of snow was a disaster.
He shrugged and moved on to find another groomsman to drink with. They were going to be hurting in the morning, that was for sure. Before I could make my escape, my dad spotted me and strode purposely across the room in my direction.
I wished I’d accepted that beer because conversations with my dad typically turned into lectures about how I was failing him.
My chosen career, my love of gaming, my lack of “business acumen” as he called it all fell short of his lofty goals for me, his only son.
The fact that I was also nearing thirty and no serious relationship on the horizon was another source of concern for him.
As if everyone needed to be paired off by a certain age in order to be successful. I didn’t subscribe to his old fashioned beliefs yet he persisted in shoving it down my throat at every opportunity. Tonight was no different.
“I always thought you’d be the first to get married.”
One simple statement wrapped in a world of accusation. “I’m not even dating anyone,” I reminded him.
“You spend too much time on your computer, with those games of yours. You have a good career, make enough money. Dating shouldn’t be a problem for you.”
I couldn’t help the involuntary eye roll at his outdated beliefs. “Finding the right person to spend your life with is not something to take lightly. I just haven’t met the person I click with.”
The truth was, I felt more connection in the brief encounter I’d had with Courtney than I had with any woman I’d dated. There was a certain undeniable chemistry that needed to be present and for some reason, it just hadn’t happened for me yet until this morning.
Undeterred, my dad talked on. “Marriage isn’t just about chemistry because that fades. There are practical considerations. If you wait until you like someone, the eligible women are going to pass you by.”
“Wow dad, that’s a real shit perspective on love. How are you and mom still together?”
He shrugged as if he wasn’t sure himself. “I’m just trying to help you. Believe it or not, I want the best for you and want you to be happy.”
“I am happy. A relationship would be great but only if its someone I care about who adds to my life. I’m not just checking boxes for the sake of reaching milestones.”
Dad shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He clapped me on the shoulder before disappearing back into the party, leaving me to unpack the ridiculous conversation.
It was beyond time that I escape this dinner and run my errand. Then I could hole up in my room until my wedding party duties commenced in the morning. I moved through the crowd towards the exit, willing myself to be invisible.
I managed to sneak out, retrieve my coat and car keys, then escape into the chilly night without further interruption. A few flakes of snow had begun to fall so I was glad that I’d left when I did. No way did I want to deal with driving in a snowstorm tonight.
I pulled out my phone to check the weather app and in my momentary distraction, I didn’t realize I wasn’t alone on the sidewalk. I crashed into another person and instinctively reached to steady them, dropping my phone in the process. It landed on the sidewalk with a thunk.
“Shit!” Please let my phone be okay.
“What the fu—-“ A feminine voice said.
With a start, I realized the woman I’d nearly knocked over was Courtney. I couldn’t believe my bad luck that I’d run into her again at the worst possible time. If I didn’t have to go out to the cabin, I could have asked her for a drink.
Instead, I reached down to retrieve my phone and assess the damage. The screen was black and no amount of fiddling with it brought it back to life. Great, now I needed to add phone repair to list of catastrophes this weekend.
“Is your phone okay?” Courtney leaned over my shoulder to see the device.
“Looks like it’s dead.” I held it up to show her the dark screen.
“I’m sorry. I was distracted and in a rush.”
“Totally not your fault. I was the one looking down and running into you. I’m sorry.”
“Shouldn’t you be at the rehearsal dinner? Or are you ditching it for a hot date,” she teased.
I gave her my most flirty grin. “Looks like I found her.”
Courtney blushed at my words and I felt like I’d won a prize. Knowing I was responsible for her reaction was addicting. I wanted to do it again and again.
It occurred to me that this isn’t where I’d expect to find her. “Are you rushing to a hot date?”
“Hardly. More like escaping a boring one. With my parents.”
“I can relate to that. I’ve had enough of my own family. I’m glad to have an excuse to get out for a while.”
“Where are you headed? And can I come?”
Courtney’s words weren’t planned if the look of surprise on her face was any indication. She looked as if she wanted to call the words back as soon as they were out of her mouth.
Before she could say anything, I rushed to offer an invitation. “You’re more than welcome to join me. I’m heading about twenty miles out of town on a wedding errand. Shouldn’t take more than an hour.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I don’t want to impose on your evening.”
“Are you kidding? The drive is going to be completely boring now that I can’t stream music on my phone. We only have one radio station out this way and it plays easy listening.”
Courtney laughed. “I know—born and raised here. And I guess a drive is better than hanging at a bar which had been my plan. If you’re sure you don’t mind my company, I’ll come along.”
Mind? The possibility of spending an hour with this woman thrilled me. The fact that the universe had granted me this gift felt like the luckiest outcome I could imagine.
Instead of saying all that, I held up my car keys and jangled them in celebration. “Let’s hit the road.”