Page 20 of Only You and Me

“He had the nerve to act offended! I’m never again going to sit anywhere but an end seat, so I have a quick escape.”

An amused laugh erupts from Jack. We walk a few more minutes when he says, “Your flight isn’t until tomorrow evening, right?”

I nod. I’m tired and want to get home. We’ve been here for five days and I’ve learned a ton, but I’m ready to go.

“I have about an hour and a half before I need to leave for the airport. Do you want to meet in the hotel bar in about a half hour for a drink before I go?”

“Sure. That sounds good.”

We walk through the revolving glass door at the hotel and head our separate ways.

A half hour later, after a quick shower and changing into jeans and a long sleeve T-shirt, I walk into the hotel bar. The Donley brothers are already there, seated at a high-top table across the room.

While it’s sweet that Ben and Jack are so close they turned this into a guy’s trip, I’m glad they’re leaving tonight. I like Jack, but I’m running out of excuses about why I can’t have dinners with them.

It’s been a month since the Valentine’s Day fundraiser, and I’ve avoided any social gatherings where I thought Ben might be present. He took me by surprise with his apology at the fundraiser. I thought I didn’t need him to say he was sorry—and that it wouldn’t make a difference—but when he did, and I saw his sincerity, some of my anger lessened. I don’t know what to do with that.

I love my job, and my life is full of love from Emily and Fitz, but Ben wasn’t wrong when he spoke about the desires of my heart. I’ve always wanted to have a large, loving family. Like the one the Donleys have. Yet, despite going on a lot of dates in the years since Ben and I broke up, I’ve not met anyone I can picture that happening with.

When I get to the table, Ben tries to stand to pull out a chair for me, but I’m faster than him and I’m in my seat before he has a chance. It’s petty, but I’m secretly proud I prevented him from accomplishing the small gesture.

Jack slides a shot and a glass of wine over to me and I notice he and Ben each have a shot and a beer in front of them. I raise a questioning brow at him.

“Patron Silver for each of us and a glass of chardonnay for you,” Jack says. “I’m a shit flyer, so I figured I should pre-game.”

“How’d you know I like chardonnay?” That would be one hell of a lucky guess.

“I didn’t. Ben did,” Jack shrugs.

I toss a quick glance in Ben’s direction. “Oh.” Since I feel awkward now, I pick up my shot and hold it up, waiting for them to do the same. When they do, we all down the tequila shots together.

We make small talk for a few minutes and Ben excuses himself; I assume to use the restroom. When he returns, he has another shot for each of us. We make quick work of downing those as well.It’s definitely making it a little easier to sit here at the same table as Ben.

I chuckle. “Well, you should handle the flight fine with these on board. Do you have a layover?”

“Yeah, two hours. Which sucks. I want to get home to Annie and the dogs. I figure it’ll give me time to get dinner at the airport, though.” Jack looks down at his watch.

“Hey, how’s Emily been doing lately with everything?” Ben asks.

I take a sip of my wine before I answer. She’s his friend, so it’s fair of him to ask.

“She’s doing okay. Her and Fitz have been working on doing some painting and light remodeling in her house so she can put it on the market this summer. It’s too hard for her to continue living there.” I stare into my wine glass as I speak.

“She’ll stay in Elladine, though, right?” Ben asks.

“Yeah, sure. Everyone she cares about is here. And she loves her job. She just needs a home that isn’t filled with so many memories.” I glance over at Jack and see sadness in his eyes. He’d been Teddy’s best friend since they were about fourteen years old. When Teddy died in September, it devastated him.

Deciding a change of subject is in order, I turn to Jack. “How are the plans coming for the wedding? It’s only three months away now, huh?”

Jack smiles. “Good. It’s all coming together pretty fast. I’m trying to help with as much as I can but, truthfully, I’d marry her in grubby clothes out in the backyard as long as she ends up my wife. Ben here says I need to be more involved in decisions, though, so I’m trying.”

“And how many weddings have you planned?” I challenge Ben, trying not to sound as spiteful as I feel.

“None. Always the groomsman, never the groom, I guess.” Ben’s smiling but it doesn’t meet his eyes.

“Well, that’s probably for the best. I’m sure the single lady population in Elladine would be sad to lose one of their favorite boy toys.” Shit, that sounded mean. Fucking Patron, causing my lips to be loose.

Jack clears his throat. “Well, as fun as it would be to stay and watch the fireworks as you two go at each other, I’ve got a plane to catch.”

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