Page 51 of The Wedding Run
“What are you doing with Luke?” he asks.
“I’m notwithLuke.” I scoop up the napkin. “I’m helping a bride. It’s what I do.”
“You broke our engagement,” he says. “Was it because of Luke?”
“Why would I stop our wedding because of Luke? I just met him. That’s crazy!”
“Some might consider running away from a wedding as crazy,” he accuses.
“I told you why I couldn’t marry you, Derek. It had nothing to do with Luke.” I twist the napkin between my fingers. “Besides,you and I are not together anymore. So even if I was interested in Luke, and I’m not saying I am…” Oh, boy, I’m making a mess of this. “What business is it of yours?”
He glances around the shop. “Thisis my business. I own three-fourths.”
I loathe his not-so-subtle threat, but I tread carefully. “Luke and I are friends. That’s all.”
“He’s my friend,” Derek draws a territorial line.
“Are we dividing up property and friends? I gave you the ring. What else do you want?”
“I want you,” he says bluntly.
That stumps me. “Derek, I’m sorry, but I can’t. I care about you. And I’m sorry about what happened. It’s all my fault. Blame me. Tell your friends I’m a terrible person. But don’t blame Luke. It’s not his fault. I put him in this position by asking for his help. Let’s not make it worse than it has to be. This isn’t a contest. I’m not some prize.”
He looks at me like he’s about to tell me how far I fall short of being a prize.
CHAPTER 26
Luke
Iwonder if I’ve waited long enough, allowing Libby and Derek enough time alone. Or have I given them too much time? What's the protocol? Envy sneaks up on me, even though it has no right to be here. I have no right to feel this way, so I squash it.
“Just ask her,” Roxie says as she stirs a batch of muffins.
I pocket my phone. “She’ll think it’s a date.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Roxie asks.
But I haven’t told Roxie about the kiss. I only mentioned that my mother requested I take Libby out for dinner because she was hosting their monthly friends' dinner.
“You should go out with her.”
“She’s Derek’s ex,” I remind Roxie. “She just left a serious relationship… an engagement. She’s not ready to date someone else.”
“How do you know?”
She has me there. I don’t know. I rub my jaw, recalling that kiss, which didn’t feel like she was holding back or reluctant.
“Maybe you’re the one not ready,” Roxie prods.
“What are you talking about? I go out.”
Roxie scoffs. “You haven’t been in a serious relationship since?—”
“I know,” I interrupt, not wanting to relive that difficult time three years ago. “I haven’t found the right one.”
“You’ve become commitment-phobic,” she jabs.
“I have not. If the right woman came along?—”
