“Yeah. Aren’t you?” Why else would she be here?
“Well, yeah, sort of. But could you introduce me?” She steps forward, invading my personal space.
I take half a step back. “Um. Yeah.” A rabid determination fills her gaze. I don’t think Ted would appreciate an introduction. “But later, okay? I need to grab a drink first.”
“Okay. Don’t forget. I’m Madelaine.”
“Madelaine. Absolutely. Got it.” I make a mental note to avoid this area and the crowd, then step onto the small path to my right to avoid talking to any of her vag-balloon friends.
The walkway is shaded. Splashes and laughing shrieks come from the pool. I wonder how I’m supposed to find Ted in the crowd. Although it’s still early, there are at least a hundred people here.
“This isn’t funny, Calvin!” comes a sharp reprimand. “I’m your girlfriend, not some one-night stand!”
I turn toward the sound and see a stunning blonde with flowing hair and a gorgeous bee-stung mouth. She’s wearing an ocean-blue bikini, and her body is flawless, not an ounce of excess fat anywhere, even though her breasts are full. She’s talking on a phone, but her blue eyes connect with mine. A frisson of unease dances up my spine.
I start to look away. But before I can, her eyes fill with tears.
Oh no.
“How could you be so cruel?” Her chin trembles. “I thought you’d be here, by my side.”
I feel like the worst human being for turning away, although common sense says I should, since she’s obviously having an issue with her boyfriend, and relationships aren’t my forte. Hell, I just got divorced.
“Fine. Be that way. By the time you come crawling back, it’ll be too late.” She lowers the phone, then looks at me tragically. “I’m so sorry you had to witness that.”
I look around, wondering if she’s talking to somebody else. But nope. I force a smile, hoping it doesn’t look as awkward as I feel. “It’s not a problem.”
“It’s so difficult to find the right man these days.” A tear slowly rolls down her cheek.
I have to respect how feminine and pretty she is when she’s crying. When I cry, my face turns blotchy and my nose runs like a broken faucet.
“Tell me about it,” I say, trying to help her calm down. “If it were easy, I wouldn’t be alone.”
“I knew you’d understand.” Despite the tears in her voice, she sounds gorgeous. No stuffy, nasal whining from her.
“Of course.”
“The world is full of good people. We just need to be strong for each other.”
She takes my hand and pulls me to a bench by the path. She sits down and pats the empty spot next to her. “I didn’t catch your name,” she says sweetly.
“Sierra Fullilove,” I say politely. She’s probably just too distraught over her jerk-tastic boyfriend to remember that we haven’t introduced ourselves.
“What a lovely name.” She smiles. “I’m Rachel Griffin.”