There was notime to go home and get ready for the game, but Tori had come prepared.
With most of the people leaving for the day, except for the late-nighters, she was ready to take off the business clothes and embrace the game-day casual vibe.
While not a huge sports fan, she’d tried to find something to wear and had picked up a Mariners T-shirt at a thrift shop. It was definitely juniors sizing and fit tight over her chest, but hey, it looked good. Especially when she paired it with her light wash jeans and Vans sneakers.
By the time she’d jumped on the light rail downtown to get to the stadium, she wondered if she should’ve stuck to her work wear.
While most of the guys were still in suits, they’d taken off their jackets. Still, they looked all reputable and sharp, while she looked like she was heading off to the stadium for sorority game night or something.
James was across the aisle, holding onto one of the overhead loops on the light rail. He was in discussion with another lawyer from the firm, but his gaze slid to hers.
Was it her imagination, or were his lips curving into a tiny smile? Always a little weird. He was kind of stingy with the smiles for her.
But when he gave them? Sweet Jesus, help her. They did something to her insides. It made her think about other times. Really, the second time they’d ever kissed.
With the city flying by outside, she couldn’t stop her mind from drifting back a half a year...
Oh god, he was losing it. He was straight up losing it!
Tori tugged down her way-too-short maid of honor dress and shook her head as she watched the scene before her unfold.
James was actually doing it. He’d ambushed his ex-girlfriend at Kris’s wedding.
His mouth moved as he spoke to Hannah, but she was too far away to hear it. What was he doing? Begging her to come back to him? Apologizing profusely?
Hannah’s eyes were wide and she looked pretty upset. After a moment, she shook her head and stormed away.
Well, that clearly hadn’t gone well for him.
Tori’s stomach twisted with a bit of sympathy. She didn’t want to feel bad for James, but damn it all if he didn’t look like a wounded puppy right now.
She watched him stride off down the beach to where a tall tent-like structure had been set up as a dressing room for the bride.
The rest of the wedding guests and the bride and groom were in small groups nearby, talking.
When he disappeared into the tent, she knew he was probably alone in there, having himself a moment.
Just let him be miserable, Tori.
And yet, despite her best intentions, she went after him. A couple of minutes later, she lifted the flap of the tent and stepped inside.
“Hey. Are you okay?”
He turned, surprised etched on his face before it turned into a mix of irritation and anger.
“What does it matter to you?”
“I’m not sure it does”—she folded her arms across her chest, not swayed by the wounded lion act—“but I thought I’d try and be a decent human and check on you.”
“I think you’ve done enough.”
She arched a brow. “I haven’t done anything. This is all your doing, James.”
He didn’t even try and argue.
“You probably shouldn’t have tried to get her back here,” she added quietly. “Not at Kris’s wedding.”
“I miss her—” His voice broke.