Page 57 of Wedding Bet

His eyebrows raised. “That’s a big statement.”

“It’s true,” I said with a shrug. “I think it was one of the most inspiring things I’ve seen in years, maybe. I grew up with Chase when he was covered in acne and his only real concern in life was which video game controller was best, and now he’s committing his life to an amazing person.”

“When you put it that way, it definitely is impressive,” Landry said.

All week I’d felt as if Landry were so much freer and more open than I was. When we’d first arrived, I was uptight, out of place, and watching my every move.

But now there seemed to be some sort of wall between Landry and the rest of the world. Instead of looking right at me, he was giving me quick glances before turning back to his drink. He was quieter. And he certainly didn’t seem like he was on the prowl for hot, wedding-guest hookup material.

I turned my head to one side, giving him a sly look. “I thought you’d already be dick-deep in someone by this point in the day,” I said.

Thatearned me a sidelong glance and a furrowed brow. “What?”

“Finally, a sign of life,” I said. “I was about to start sayingEarth to Landry, do you read me,or something. I’m just surprised you’re not, you know, prowling for tail.”

He snorted and let out a long breath. “Prowling for tail,” he repeated. “You clearly think so highly of me, Jamie.”

“What’s wrong with prowling for tail?”

“The phrase, first of all, is ridiculous.”

“And hilarious,” I added.

Finally, a hint of a smile appeared on one corner of his mouth. “Fine. Hilarious, too. But Idocare about other things besides hooking up with hot guys, you know.”

I waved a hand through the air. “I know, I know. You’re virtuous. You eat your vegetables and help old ladies andalsohave hot hookups.”

“I helped an old lady today, actually,” he pointed out.

“I caught a glimpse of that, and it was very heartwarming,” I said. “But I’ve just noticed you’re a little down this afternoon.”

He was silent for a moment, his eyes downcast on his drink, before he finally gave me a nod. “You already know. Weddings just aren’t my thing.”

His voice was so soft it made my heart pang. It truly was an almost complete role reversal, and for once, I knew what I had to do.

I had to give him what he’d given me, on that first night that I arrived here at Snowcock Ski Resort with no goddamn idea what I was doing.

A surge of adrenaline hit me, and it was like I was on a mission. I scanned the room for the guy that I’d sat next to for the wedding ceremony, and when I locked eyes with him, I gave him a big wave, beckoning him over. Landry glanced over, surprised.

“Hey,” I said to Mark as he walked over. “Landry, I’d like you to meet Mark. Mark, this is Landry. Earlier today I learned that Mark and Adam work together.”

“Nice to meet you,” Landry said, holding out his hand for a handshake. Mark looked almost as good as Landry did, in an expensive-looking cream-colored suit with a classy bold tie underneath.

“Your socks are killer, I must say,” Mark told Landry, glancing down at the exposed portion of intricate burgundyand cream patterned fabric. “I actually noticed them when you crossed your leg over your lap at the ceremony.”

Landry’s full smile finally came out of hiding, as he gave Mark the full spotlight of his charm. “I am such a sock nerd, it’s not even funny. At some point about a decade ago, I just realized I wanted all of my socks to look cool, and now… well, now I’m apparently the guy at parties who talks about socks, but fuck it, you know?”

Mark laughed loud and bright, clearly enjoying Landry just as much as I did. A fizzle of excited jealousy ran through me as they kept talking.

Maybemorethan a little jealousy.

But I couldn’t believe how easy it had been to sit back and play Cupid, trying to be a little hookup matchmaker for Landry.

If I was going to have any chance of being a real friend to Landry, I knew this would have to be part of it. He was a flirt, a bachelor, and always ready for action. I wanted to rip the Band-Aid off and get used to seeing him with other guys, and learn to beat back the envious monster in my head.

Mark and Landry hit it off better than I’d even imagined. I sauntered off toward a caterer carrying around the fanciest meatballs on a stick I’d ever seen. I popped one in my mouth, a tiny morsel of heaven, coated in some sort of sticky soy-ginger glaze. A cocktail lounge piano player was playing jazzy music at the edge of the room, and as my lavender cocktail hit my system, I started to realize that I truly felt like myself for the first time all week. There was only a little while left now before the wedding party would come out again, with first dances and speeches and more food that was probably better than anything I’d had in years.

Letting go was really what I’d needed all along. In fact, I’d probably needed to let go for a long, long time.

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