So why did I suddenly feel so aware of her? Why did my eyes keep finding her in thecrowd?
Was it just leftover adrenaline from last night? From the moment I thought she might actually die in that fire?
Was that why everything felt so intensified today? Because I’d come a little too close to losing another person I cared about.
I didn’t know.
But yeah… I should probably figure out how to stop checking her position every thirty seconds.
“You know,” Brendon said slowly beside me, a half-smile forming on his lips, “your sister’s gymnast friend is very pretty.”
I groaned quietly under my breath. First Lucy. Now Brendon.
Then I sighed. “She is.”
Was my heightened attraction that obvious to everyone now?
Because that couldn’t be good.
Nora was my employee, for goodness’ sake.
Before Brendon could say anything else, his fiancée, Miriam, approached us with a warm smile and slipped her hand into his.
“Mind if I steal the handsome neurosurgeon for a dance?” she asked.
Brendon’s lips quirked up. “I thought you’d never ask.” He set his glass aside and then turned back to me. “It was good seeing you again, Theo. Let’s be better about keeping in touch, okay?”
“Okay.”
I watched as he led Miriam toward the dance floor, joining the rest of the couples swaying beneath the lights. Then I shoved my hands into my pockets, suddenly unsure of what I should do with myself.
The reception was supposed to go on for another forty-five minutes or so. But I didn’t really need to stick around for the cake cutting and bouquet toss, did I?
I tipped my head back and finished the last of my champagne before walking over to set the empty flute on a tray.
My fingers closed around my key fob as I pulled it from my pocket.
Yeah, I should probably just head home.
But as I turned toward the exit, I spotted Lucy and Owen standing near the refreshment table.
“Hey,” I said as I walked over. “I’m gonna head out. Just wanted to say goodbye first.”
“You’re leaving already?” Lucy frowned. And the concerned look in her blue eyes told me she was worried that the wedding might be a little too much for me.
“I’m just a little tired,” I said, forcing a casual tone.
“I guess you did have a pretty long night.”
“I did.” I nodded, grateful she was letting me off the hook instead of giving me another interrogation. “So, I’m gonna try to catch up on whatever sleep I can while Charlotte’s still with the Vanderbilts.”
“I promise I won’t call you first thing in the morning and ruin your one chance at sleeping in.” Lucy smiled.
“I appreciate that.”
She stepped forward and wrapped me in a hug. I hugged her back, holding on for a second longer than usual.
Lucy and I hadn’t been particularly close growing up. She was eight years younger than me, so we’d mostly lived in separate worlds. But after Alisha died, she’d been one of the biggest reasons I’d managed to get back on my feet. And now she wasn’t just my little sister, she was one of my best friends.