Page 48 of Words We Didn't Say

The air whooshed out of my lungs. Knowing Eden’s best friend would never accept me was a blow I wasn’t ready for. “Why?”

“Why? How long have you got? How about all the times you missed Friday night drinks? Or the time you couldn’t make it to the picnic Ed planned for weeks? Or the time you were late to the premiere? You never prioritise her.”

Andie paused, waiting for me to deny all the times I’d let Eden down. I couldn’t. She was right.

She stabbed the knife even deeper between my ribs when she said, “What about how Eden had a panic attack at your work bringing you dinner because she’d never see you otherwise? How many times did you bring her dinner?”

I could only defend myself with a mumbled excuse. “I can’t always control my work—”

Andie barked a laugh. “Yeah,your work. We all know about your fucked-up priorities. How far down your list is she, exactly?”

“Eden’s number one,” I bit back. “Always.”

“Maybe right now, she is. You lost her, so you’re panicking, pulling out all the stops to win her back.”

“It’ll never be like it was before. I understand—”

“Zach, that is such bullshit, and you know it. Maybe everything will be great for a week. Maybe even for a month. But eventually, I know Ed will be calling me because she’s back at the end of your list. I can’t watch my best friend lose herself again. I won’t.” Andie paused to take a shaky breath, chest heaving. “Zach, I know you’re not a bad person. After today, I actually think you’repretty okay, but work will always be your number one priority, and I’m sorry, but Ed deserves better.”

“You’re right. She does.”

And it was time I started proving that to Eden.

13

She said, “What’s the matter, jealous?”

Eden

Yvette was my fairygodmother.

My eligible bachelor’s name was Sam…Something. I mean, really, who cared about his surname? Crew-cut blonds who played professional rugby weren’t usually my type, but Sam was all kinds of rough and pretty to look at. A blocked jaw. His black blazer stretched across heavily muscled shoulders. Tall enough to tower over me, even though I strutted through the stadium beside him in four-inch stilettos.

His enormous paw rested in the curve of my spine. A gentleman. He guided me through the crowd supporting some team playing some sport, but the innocent touch didn’t help settle my stomach. This man would be a fine notch on my bedpost. Why wasn’t my body getting the memo?

Sam punched the button for the elevator to the corporate box and turned to me. One of his eyes was so fat and purple it was like he ended every smile with a wink.

I waved a hand at his face. “What happened?”

“Copped a knee to the eye, babe.” Sam’s chest puffed out enough to strain the buttons of his black shirt. “Got flattened after making a break for a try.”

“Um.” Was he speaking English? What the hell was a ‘try?’ Was that when his team scored? I had no idea, but I couldn’t keep blinking at him like a doe-eyed debutante, so I nodded and said, “Cool.”

“Damn straight. Now, show me this dress. Give us a twirl.”

I spun around and jiggled my hips to model the vintage designer gown I’d rented at the last minute. “You approve?”

“I’m givin’ you another damn straight. This dress is doin’ it for me.” He snuck an extra-long peek at my booty—with his one eye—and gave an appreciative nod. “You’re a class act, babe.”

The grin eating my face also ate up some of the pesky guilt.

Kisses to Yvette for playing fairy godmother. She’d truly outdone herself by helping me with my rebound dating scheme.Not a cricketer?Tick.Hot?Not my usual type, but the man was too perfect to be anything less than a big tick.Not dumb?Welp, I wasn’t holding out much hope after he’d wondered if limes were unripe lemons, but two out of three wasn’t bad.

Sam’s broad shoulders crowded most of the space in the elevator. I squeezed in beside him, trying my hardest not to smoosh my boobs into his brick wall of a chest even though that might’ve been his plan.

“So, what’s this shindig?” I asked. “You were vague on details. Some corporate function?”

“A booze fest with the sponsors. Coach likes us to keep ’em happy when we’re not on the field. It’ll be a few dudes from an insurance company and some law firm.”

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