“Well, you were the poor dear who had to date him.” Elise’s smile was stiff before she turned back to her friends. “Vic was seated with the principal and his assistant and their spouses. Remember?”
“Oh, of course.” Brooke was the first to catch on to what Elise was trying to do. She jabbed Brandie with an elbow. “We saw so many people that night. Sorry, Vic.”
“No big deal.”
“How have you been feeling lately?” The woman introduced to him as Hailee directed the question at Aubrey. Her build and clothing style reminded him a bit of Caitlyn Lattimore, his best friend Jayden’s sister.
“Better each day,” Aubrey answered as she poured herself a margarita from the pitcher at the center of the table. “I still have gaps in my memory, but the doctor is confident they’ll return.”
“Quite a few gaps,” Elise muttered. Vic shot her a warning look.
“Yes, that’s true.” Aubrey sipped her drink. “This is delicious. Anyway, I’ve been leaning fairly hard on Vic.” She grabbed his hand on the table and squeezed his fingers, looking up at him with trusting eyes. His stomach sank. “He doesn’t mind, though.”
“I’d do anything for you.” He meant it down to his bone marrow. When her memories of the past came back, he’d be there for her. He’d dry her tears or allow her to yell at him. He’d take her fists if she pummeled his chest and declared she hated him for lying to her. He’d defend her parents if needed. He’d drive her to the doctor’s office or to dinner with friends or to work and home again once she went back to teaching—anything to prove to her how much he cared.
He’d given up on Aubrey once in his life. He wouldn’t do it again.