Page 106 of Puck and Prejudice

I shake my head and flag down the bartender. I need something stronger than beer.

ChapterForty-Three

IZZIE

Despite his struggle to learn the steps of the first Sevillanas, Jackson refused to meet with me alone to practice, and yesterday he couldn’t come to the group practice because of an event he needed to attend. I’m nervous. I don’t want us to look bad in front of all the guests, but I can’t say we just won’t dance. It’d be weird if only the best man and the maid of honor didn’t participate.

Jane and Chad’s plan is adding stress to my life, and it won’t work. What I had with Jackson is in the past, and even if I wanted to rekindle it, he clearly doesn’t, which is for the best.

It’s Thursday afternoon, and I just finished a shift at the clinic. In another couple weeks, my residency will be over. I’m excited and terrified at the same time. Dr. Fuentes offered me a full-time position, so I don’t have to worry about looking for a job, but becoming a vet has been my dream for so long that, now that it’s around the corner, my emotions are getting the better of me.

I check my phone. I texted Jackson earlier, asking if he wanted to practice today. There’s no response. Tomorrow, we’re leaving early for the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, and we won’t have time to practice until the rehearsal dinner.

I text Jane.

Jackson is not answering my messages. We need to practice!

JANE: Oh, he’s such a nincompoop.

That’s a new word for you.

JANE: Trying to get used to not swearing that much before the baby arrives.

So much is changing…

What am I gonna do about that pile of [poop emoji]? Should I ambush him at his place?

JANE: He’s left for the Breakers already. You should go tonight and ambush him there!

Jackson and I alone in a beautiful hotel isexactlywhat Jane wishes for.

I don’t have a room for tonight.

She doesn’t reply right away, which means she’s plotting. I shouldn’t have texted her. Irritated, I set my phone on my nightstand and go take a shower. When I return to the room ten minutes later, I find a new text from her.

JANE: You have a room now

I roll my eyes. Of course she took care of it.

I know what you’re doing. It won’t work.

JANE: We’ll see… Have fun.

“Meddling fool,” I mutter, but only to distract myself from the flurry of excitement spreading through my body.

Jackson had better act like the asshole I know he can be, because I’m in real danger of making a huge mistake… like throwing myself at him.

* * *

JACKSON

Grayson, Frederico, and I decided to drive to Palm Beach a day early and enjoy some golfing. We got back from the golf course twenty minutes ago, and the plan is to meet at the hotel’s steakhouse in a couple hours. I’ve showered already, and since I have time, I might as well take a nap. Tonight promises to be a long one.

I’m about to get into bed when there’s a knock on my door. It’s not followed by someone saying housekeeping, so it must be one of the guys.

I open the door without looking through the peephole, and I’m taken aback by the person standing before me: Izzie. My pulse accelerates, and my blood seems to rush to my ears. I can handle the effect she has on me when I’m prepared for it. Right now, I’m at the mercy of emotions I can’t control, and when her gaze drops to my naked chest, desire enters the equation. I’m only wearing sweatpants, and there’ll be no hiding a hard-on if it happens.

I’ve been avoiding her texts, because spending time alone with her won’t help me move on. I wish I could get it into Chad’s thick head that it’s too late for Izzie and me.

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