Page 34 of Pieces of Us
Gigi’s face lights up as she looks beyond me. “There’s the happy couple!” She says it loud enough for people at the tables around us to look our way.
Audrey and Jax approach the table. “Look at this sorry excuse for a wedding party.” She laughs. “Did anyone at this table get any sleep?”
Jax wraps his arm around her waist. “I know we didn’t.”
She slaps his arm and curls into him. He kisses her cheek and releases her to pull out her chair. When they sit, he grabs her coffee cup, fills it, and mixes it for her. When she picks up the cup, she sends him a wink and a smile. God, they are just the cutest.
The server stops by our table with a fresh carafe of coffee and takes our orders. Once they collect our menus, Linc and I reach for the carafe at the same time, and I quickly retract my hand.
“Sorry, go ahead, Linc.”
“Hand me your cup, Mel.”
I slide my cup over, and he fills it up. “Thank you.”
While the others at the table are deep in conversation about Audrey’s dad’s dancing skills, I pull Linc’s bowtie from my purse and pass it to him under the table.
I turn my head and whisper, “You left that in my room.”
He quickly stuffs it into his pocket. “Oh, thanks. Sorry about that.”
“No need to be sorry. I just know you have to return everything tomorrow morning.”
“Yeah, thanks again.”
I don’t like how he won’t look at me.
“Linc, are you okay?”
“I’m good, Mel.”
“I just don’t want things to be weird between us.”
“We’re good. I’m just tired.” He finally looks at me, and I don’t like the look in his eyes. They’re devoid of their normal brightness.
“Okay. I know wedding stuff is over, but I hope we can still hang out sometimes.”
“Yeah, we can do that.”
He wipes his mouth with his napkin and picks up his phone.
“Hey, Marcus, can I send you money for my bill? I want to grab a shower before checkout.”
“Don’t worry about it, man. Get next.”
“You got it.” He turns to the table. “I’m going to head up. Jax, I’ll text you later.”
“Sounds good. We’re watching the game later at our place if you want to come by.”
“I’ll bring beer. I’ll see you guys later.”
“Bye, pretty boy.”
Linc walks away, and I feel my stomach turn. So much for things not being weird between us. I look up to see Gigi and Marcus staring at me. Audrey’s eyes are darting around thetable. Jax tears off a piece of toast and stuffs it in his mouth, not even recognizing the meltdown that’s about to occur.
“Melonie, how was your night?”
“Just say what you’re going to say, Audrey.” I keep my eyes on my food.
