I’m not sure what he sees in my eyes, at that moment, but the look he sends back at me steals the breath right out of mylungs.
He’shopeful,too.
* * *
I’m standingon the harbor deck, a glass of champagne in my hand, taking a break from the dance floor where the rest of the bridesmaids are cutting a rug. The groomsmen are clustered by the bar, far too macho to dance. As for me — I may be a hot mess, but I refuse to do the Macarena. It’s a matter ofprinciple.
Despite Phoebe’s fears of precipitation, the night is perfect for a wedding. Balmy but not humid, with a warm southern breeze blowing off the water. The surface glows gold and pink, reflecting the gorgeous sunset like amirror.
My eyes drift across the gyrating guests to the far side of the dance floor, where Luca is standing with a beautiful, petite blonde in a knee-length pink dress.Zoe. As I watch, she throws her arms around him in a massive hug, and he lifts her clear off her feet with a broad smile lighting uphisface.
The sight sends a bolt of jealousythroughme.
It’s silly, of course — I know she’s with Parker. But there’s a part of me that’s always wondered whether Luca was a little bit in love with his oldest friend. They both insist their relationship has never been anything but platonic, that they’re more like siblings than a couple… but watching them now, envy stirs inside my chest, unpleasant andunwanted.
“They’re quite thepair,huh?”
The voice cuts into my reverie. Startled, I turn and find Colton leaning against the railing by my side, his blonde surfer-boy looks even more attractive in the fading evening light. He’s watching me with a smirk, clearly amused he’s caught mespying.
“Iwasn’t—”
“It’s okay. I won’t tell.” His dimples pop out. “Always thought they’d end up together.” He pauses, taking a slow sip of his scotch. “Nooffense.”
“None taken,” Imurmur.
“Still could, I suppose.” He says it in an offhand way, as if we’re discussing the weather instead of the demise of two relationships. “Given the rightcircumstances.”
I feel my temper sparktolife.
My brows arch at him. “And whatcircumstanceswould those be,exactly?”
Colton’s good-boy facade falls away. The dimples disappear. The easygoing smile flattens into afrown.
“Listen, you seem like a decent enough human being, and ordinarily I’d have no problem with you dating one of my friends.” The words are blunt, emotionless. “Thing is, though, Luca isn’t justone of my friends. He’s Blaze Buchanan. He’s the best fighter anyone’s seen come up through the ranks in decades. He’s got a real shot at greatness. Not just the regional-league shit he’s doing now, the small-time endorsements and payouts — I’m talking a UFC contract. Millions of dollars in his pocket, every fight. An international audience. Sponsorships. Travel. More fans than you can fathom.” He stares at me. “It’ll change hisentirelife.”
“I know that,” Imurmur.
“Then you also know he’s got a championship in just over a week. Fighting a mean-ass fucker named Jack Forrester whose nickname isLumberjackbecause he’s built like a damn oak tree and even harder to knock down.” He leans closer, swirling the amber liquid in his highball glass. “Luca should be in the gym with me every day, either training or studying tapes of Forrester’s latest fights. He should be in the zone right now, fully focused. Fully dedicated. You know where he’s beeninstead?”
My throat feelstight.
“With you,” Colton mutters. “Distracted. Unfocused. Off his training schedule. He’s going to lose this fight, lose everything he’s ever wanted, his entire life… because of you.” He shakes his head at me and takes a generous sip of his scotch. “Pretty selfish, if youaskme.”
“I didn’t,” I snap, but itsoundsthin.
Colton stares at me. “Wonder how he’ll feel about you when he wakes up and realizes you singlehandedly ruined his life? That he threw it all away over a good fuck and a hot piece of ass?” He makes a sound of disgust. “Fucking crime, that’s what it is. They should charge you with homicide for killing hisdream.”
Unwilling to listen to any more, I turn and walk away from him. I don’t make it far; his hand clamps down on my elbow in a tight grip. I try to shake him off, but Ican’t.
“Lila,” he says in my ear. “Might be hard for you to hear, but deep down you know I’m right. You should let himwalkaway.”
“You should letmewalk away.” I tug at my arm, but I’m still held fast. His grip bites harshly into my flesh until tears gather in my eyes. “Before Luca comes over here and pummels you fortouchingme.”
With a sharp scoff, he releases me. His words float after me as I bolt toward the dancefloor.
“Don’t say I didn’twarnyou.”
I shake myself, wishing I weren’t so affected by everything he said. I tell myself he’s totally off base as I rejoin my friends on the dance floor, forcing a smile and shimmying my shoulders to the beat. But beneath my happy mask, where no one can see, my heart pounds so hard I can barelybreathe.