Chapter 23 #2
“No,” Owen shakes his head, clearing his throat as he pulls me closer. “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
Drew laughs again, shaking his head.
“I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” he replies, though the alcohol in his voice makes it clear he’s not entirely joking. “Mostly.”
Instead of laughing along with him, Owen flexes his jaw and flares his nostrils.
“Good to know we’ve got your full support, man,” Owen responds, his tone full of disgust and sarcasm.
Drew grins sheepishly.
“Hey, I’m just speaking from experience,” he shrugs. “I dated a coworker once… Worst decision of my life, bro. Had to leave a damn good job once it all ended.”
Un. Fucking. Believable.
Whoever dated this guy dodged a freaking bullet, I can say that with one hundred percent certainty.
Before Owen has a chance to respond, Drew downs the rest of his drink and yells toward a person he sees off in the distance.
“Brady! What the fuck, man? Didn’t know you were here!”
He lifts his empty glass toward us in a quick toast before wandering off toward another group.
And then, by the grace of God, he’s gone.
But his words still linger.
Doomed to fail.
Who says that? Who says that to any couple, no matter how they met?
I know I shouldn't let his alcohol laced words get to me… but they still sit in the back of my mind like a quiet warning.
I exhale a shaky breath as Owen’s thumb traces sensual circles against my hip.
“You okay?” he asks, his voice low and sweet.
I force out a small smile.
“Yeah,” I shake my head, doing my best to shrug it off. “I’m fine. He was drunk. It’s whatever.”
“Nah,” Owen retorts, “he's just a fucking asshole. Drew thinks we’re tight, but we’ve never been close like that. He can’t keep a girl because he cheats on all of them. I’m sure that’s why his little office romance didn’t work out.”
Sadly, knowing that does make me feel a bit better.
“Ah,” I nod. “Makes sense. He’s a serial cheater who doesn't know how to take accountability.”
“Exactly,” Owen replies, taking a sip of his drink. “He’s a real piece of work—”
Before he can get the rest of his sentence out, a blonde woman in a sleek, baby blue dress approaches us from behind. We both jump at the sound of her high-pitched voice.
“Owen!” she gasps. “Oh my God, I haven’t seen you in forever!”
His body freezes as she wraps her arms around his neck, awkwardly pulling him in for a hug, acting as if I’m not standing right next to him.
Owen immediately steps back as she releases him, returning his arm to my waist and tugging me against him.
“Hey, Holly,” he half-smiles, trying to sound enthusiastic but failing miserably.
He turns to face me, his expression relaxing as he grins down at me with such admiration. “This is my date, Meadow.”
A flare of satisfaction takes flight in my chest at how Owen immediately introduced me as more than just his friend.
Holly’s face falls, her smile dropping as her eyes flick to me, looking me up and down with full judgment.
“Hey,” she mutters, her voice flat and monotone.
Crazy how quickly she went from friendly and bubbly to a cold, mean girl in less than five seconds.
“Hi,” I respond politely, reaching out my hand in greeting.
She acts like she doesn't see the gesture and turns back to Owen, her brows furrowed in confusion.
“I thought Lauren was coming with you this weekend?”
Wow.
What a bitch.
She knows exactly what she’s doing, bringing up Lauren, Owen’s ex.
The woman who was supposed to be here.
My body goes completely still as my pulse hammers against my neck, my chest rising and falling with quick breaths.
Owen catches on immediately, wrapping both arms around my waist and pulling my back to his chest. Her eyes widen, like she’s appalled that he’s being so touchy-feely with me.
“We’re not together anymore, Holly,” Owen says flatly. “But you already knew that, didn't you?”
Oh shit.
The woman blinks, acting oblivious.
“No,” she shrugs. “I must have missed a chapter somewhere.”
Owen lets out an amused huff and rests his chin atop my head.
“If your goal in coming to talk to me was to report information back to Lauren, your mission is accomplished. You can go now.”
Holly steps back like she’s offended, placing a manicured hand over her heart.
“Oh,” Owen adds. “And you can tell her that I’m happy. Really fucking happy.”
Owen can’t see my expression, but my lips curve up in a subtle smirk.
Holly angrily crosses her arms over her chest and furrows her brows.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Owen.”
“Have a good evening, Holly,” Owen dismisses her. “I’m sure there’s plenty of drama you can stir up elsewhere.”
Her blue gaze bounces between us for another moment before she dramatically rolls her eyes, spins on her red-bottom heels, and stomps off.
Great.
So we’re zero-for-two so far tonight.
“Wow,” I blow out a breath, leaning back into Owen. “Tough crowd,” I add, staring off into the cluster of guests.
“Holly is a menace,” Owen grumbles, spinning me to face him.
He wraps an arm around my waist and leans down to cup my face with his free hand. I instinctively rest my arms over his shoulders, my eyes bouncing between his.
“She’s one of Lauren’s close friends,” he continues. “She’s just hoping to dig up some dirt so she can gossip with Lauren when she gets home. She’s not worth our time. Seriously, don’t let her bother you.”
I’m trying not to.
I’m genuinely trying. But from the moment Holly walked off, the noise from the deck seemed louder. Overwhelming in an anxiety-inducing way.
The music.
The incessant laughter.
The clatter of glasses and heels thumping against the deck.
Lauren.
I’m reminded once again that she was supposed to be here.
Owen’s finger slides beneath my chin, tilting my head up until I’m staring directly into his pine-green eyes.
His face bends with worry, as if he can practically see the negative thoughts swirling through my mind.
“Meadow,” Owen rasps, pressing his forehead to mine. “Stay with me.”
I know what he’s trying to say.
Stay here.
Don’t let your mind wander to that dark place.
This is our last night here.
Stay here, in the present, and stop worrying about the future.
We will be okay.
You’re mine, and I’m yours.
“Stay with me, baby,” he repeats against my lips. “Let’s have a good night. I promise not everyone here are assholes.”
I chuckle lightly, my lips curving up in a tiny smile as I nod.
“Okay,” I breathe, trying to convince myself more than anything. “I’m here.”
And for a moment, all feels right in the world when Owen leans down and seals his lips to mine, out in the open where both Drew and Holly can see.