“Maybe a drink.”
We weaved our way through the crowd, the music pulsing through my body. Miles spotted me, his arm wrapped around Marcy’s waist. He gave me a warm smile and I smiled back. There was no denying they looked good together.
“I’ll be right back,” I said to the girls and made my way over to them.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” he said.
“Hey.” Marcy looked me up and down. “Did you want something?”
“Can I talk to Miles for a second? I promise it’s nothing to worry about. I’m really happy for you guys, and I love your dress, it really brings out the color of your eyes.”
“Uh, sure. Okay.” She gave me an uncertain smile. “I’ll be over there with the girls.” Marcy went up on her tiptoes and made a show of kissing him.
I fought a smile at her attempt at marking her territory. “Someone is a little possessive,” I said as she walked away.
“She knows our history.”
“Yeah. Listen, Miles, I owe you an apology.”
“No, Celeste, you don’t,” he said. “You gave me a chance and it didn’t work out. I get that now. We’re friends. Best friends. I miss you.”
“I miss you too. But I don’t want to tread on anyone’s toes.” My gaze flicked to Marcy.
“I don’t think that will be a problem when she realizes you’re already spoken for.”
“What do you mean?”
Miles pointed over my shoulder, and I turned slowly, the air whooshing from my lungs when I spotted Zane standing awkwardly underneath the balloon arch. But despite his obvious discomfort, he looked so good. The black dress shirt hugged his chest and shoulders and he’d rolled up his sleeves, revealing the intricate ink swirling up his forearm. His hair was styled out of his face, his expression hard and uneasy. Until he found me across the room and some of the ice in his gaze thawed.
“Miles, I…”
“It’s okay, Celeste,” he said, giving me a little nudge. “Go get your guy. He looks like a fish out of water standing over there all alone.”
“You’re a good guy, Miles Mulligan.”
“And you’re one of the best people I know. Now go. Before he makes a run for it.” His mouth quirked up at the corner.
Everything slowed down as I walked toward him, the sounds and laughter all melting away until there was nothing but the sound of my heart beating wildly in my chest.
“Zane,” I breathed, stopping right in front of him.
God, he looked so good.
“A little birdie told me I might find you here.” He gave me a crooked smile.
Zane smiled and it was like everything turned right with the world.
“What are you… I don’t understand.”
“Fuck, Einstein.” He reached for me, plucking a loose curl between his fingers. “You look incredible.”
“You look nice too.”
He barked out a laugh, his hand slipping to the side of my neck, his thumb brushing my skin. My eyelids fluttered as I sucked in a sharp breath. “Zane…”
“I was wrong.” He stepped closer, erasing the sliver of space between us. “I don’t hate you, Celeste. I couldn’t hate you if I tried. But I fucking hate that I lost you.”