Chapter Nik
NIK
APRIL
“I’m so glad you came,” Ash says, pulling me in for a hug.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I feel horrible for being basically MIA for the last month. Especially since she’s been in full wedding mode, but I didn’t have it in me to pretend I’m not hanging on by a thread.
“Is everything okay?” she asks, a deep crease forming between her brows.
“Yeah.” I try to muster a genuine smile, but I’m not sure it’s working. “Just busy.”
Her shoulders slump just a hair. She’s not buying it. “Okay… I’m here if you need me.”
Thank God, someone pulls her away to offer their congratulations before she can try to hug me. I’m fairly sure that might do me in at this point.
I make my way to the bar and pour myself a shot. I couldn’t miss my best friend’s wedding, but I want to be anywhere but here. Not because I don’t love her. If my life hadn’t completely imploded a month ago, I’d be thrilled to be here.
“Hey, can we talk?” A hand lands on my lower back, and a chill runs up my neck.
I close my eyes and let out a long breath. Please go away.
When I finally turn around, Shane’s looking down at me. My stomach does a flip, and I want to climb out of my skin. He’s devastating in a dark blue button-up and gray dress pants. He’s healthier than I’ve ever seen him.
“No.”
“Nik, come on. Just give me five minutes.”
I look around to see if anyone is watching. “Today’s about Ash. I’m not doing this with you here.”
“Here? You won’t talk to me anywhere.”
Every cell in my body is screaming for me to fall into him. To wrap my arms around his neck and never let go. But I can’t, and if we open all of this up here, we won’t be able to undo it.
“Take a hint.” It comes out sharp enough to slice my own heart right in half. I give him my back, focusing on the shot glass in front of me. “I don’t want to talk to you.”
He positions himself beside me.
“Nik—” Something hardens in his eyes when they land on my empty ring finger.
His gaze meets mine, and he huffs. It takes all my strength to walk away from him when he looks so sad, but I’m not ready to have this conversation.
I’m not sure I’ll ever be.