Page 54 of Little Gray Dress

“I’ve notified security, and if you don't go in the next five minutes, you will be escorted out of the building by them. It’s your choice.” She again holds out her hand for the ring, and Greta violently jerks it off her finger and hurls it to the floor. The stomping sound of her exiting before security arrives echoes in my head in sync with my heartbeat pounding in my ears. We watch the elevator doors close behind her, and finally, for a moment, I can breathe.

“Let’s all get back to the reception so we don’t ruin Hannah’s day.” Amelia nods a small smile at me before walking towards the doors into the reception room.

“We’ll just leave you two alone.” Lily and Josh sneak away leaving Liam and me standing in the foyer.

“I… uh…” Liam runs his hand through his hair nervously. “I’m so sorry. I know I’ve only known you a few days, but that made even me sick. Is there anything I can do?”

I shake my head, fighting back the tears, again. I feel like walking in on Jack and Madison has only just happened, and I’m losing everything for the second time.

“Do you need to go talk to him?”

“No,” I answer quickly, turning to Liam, and forcing a smile. “I don’t, there is nothing to say right now. Let’s get back.”

“Emi...” He gets closer and grabs both of my hands. “You have every right to be upset. If you want me to go, I totally understand.”

“Why would I want you to go?”

“I just… I know this is a lot to deal with, and I really think you and Jack need to talk.” He sighs the sort of sigh you make when you give people bad news. “Can I give you some advice?”

He continues without waiting for my answer. “You are an amazing woman. For months, my heart and my head have been a mess because of my break-up, and then you wander into my bar and make me see things in a way I haven’t in a while. But you have a lot going on here that needs to be sorted, and I think after all this,” he motions to the now empty foyer, “you should really see what you feel for Jack.”

“You think I should get back with Jack?”

“I think only you know the answer to that. But I do think you should work out what all this information revealed tonight means to you.”

“Oh.”

“I think it’s best if I go. You know where to find me.” He forces an almost sad smile and I watch him as he slowly walks into the elevator. He nods his head in my direction as the doors close behind him, leaving me alone with only my confusion to keep me company.

Another tear falls down my cheek before I can wipe it away. I can’t just fall apart, this is my brother’s wedding. I walk to the doorway and watch the excitement of the room. People dancing, eating, laughing, and here I stand with only half a heart left. Lily waves over at me from the table. The last thing I want is to ruin my brother’s wedding day. Whether I want to or not, I have to pull myself together.

“Where’s Liam?” Lily asks.

“He left.”

“Oh. Ems…” She smiles a pitiful smile at me and pats the chair next to her. “I’m so sorry, but I think he did the right thing. You need to deal with this right now.”

“I know.” I sigh and look across the room at Jack. He’s sitting at a table alone, staring at a beer bottle in front of him, looking as miserable as I’ve ever seen him. Even though I’ve no idea what should be said, I know I need talk to him about this.

Chapter Fourteen

Five Years Ago

Downtown Portland, Oregon

The Fight

Sometimes I wonder why anyone would ever want to be a lawyer. It seems like all Jack ever does is work. If he’s not working on an active case he’s working his ass off because he’s trying to get to be a partner of the firm. He’s good at his job, he really is, but is it worth risking your personal life for?

“When is the last time you guys even had dinner together?”

I’m sitting at a table in the middle of a bustling restaurant with Lily and Josh. I feel like I’m the third single wheel, even though I’m not even close to single.

“Over a month ago,” I sigh, and push the food around my plate. “I try, really I do. I’ve even scheduled dinner dates, and he’ll call at the last minute and have to cancel. I just don’t get it. Should I be worried?”

Lily’s frown says it all. “I don’t know. Maybe?”

“No.” Josh rolls his eyes. “You girls think too much. Maybe he’s just busy with work. It’s not like he has any kind of malicious bone in his body. Jack’s the best guy we all know.”

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