“No.” I’m honest at least. I don’t want to go in there and face Aunt Karen or Colton.
“You’ve got to see them sooner or later. We’re grown ups now, remember?”
I set my now empty glass on the rail of the gazebo and straighten my dress. Then I grab the champagne flute and take his offered arm. “Fine. But there’s something I need to tell you first.”
“If you’re going to say you dated that other guy, I remember. I’ve been purposely avoiding the topic because it doesn’t matter.”
“It doesn’t?”
“No. You’re not dating either of us. It’s the guy you’re with now who needs to be jealous.”
That sends a zing of anticipation through me. “I’m not with anyone.”
I swear his lips twitch. He tugs me a little closer against him as we walk on the flagstone path back to the house and I let his scent of leather and sandalwood carry me back to our days and nights wrapped in each other for just a minute.
“Okay,” he murmurs. “Deep breath.”
I follow his lead, walking into the foyer with my head held high. Everyone is already seated at the long table except for the two empty seats with placards on the fine china. Colton, along with everyone else, turns to look at me. His eyes hold confusion, discomfort, and more than a flash of jealousy.
Aunt Karen huffs out a frustrated breath and says, “There you are. Take your seat. You missed the cocktails already. Thank you for finding her, Sean. Chloe is a bit of a wild child.”
He smirks. “Oh, I’m sure I can rein her in.”
I nearly elbow him in the ribs, but think better of it. If Georgia didn’t tell everyone what happened when I walked in, maybe this didn’t have to be a big deal.
Colton stands when I get to my place and pulls out my chair. “I think we need to have a talk,” he whispers.
“Not now,” I say with a saccharine smile on my lips.
“When exactly did you date this guy?”
Settling in my chair, I reach for my already full glass of red wine. “I said, not now, Colt.”
“Fine, but if I have to share you withhimI need the full story.”
I turn on him, anger burning in my chest. “No one is sharing me.”
The table goes silent. All background chatter ground to a stop at my overly loud announcement. Colton laughs. “On the big day. I just wanted to make sure we get the details worked out before Sunday.”
My cheeks heat and I stare daggers at him. Sean’s hand grips my elbow from his place at my other side. “I don’t care. I’ve got two arms. It’s not like we’re the ones getting married.”
Everyone laughs, but I see the hurt in Colt’s eyes at my dig. Sean’s fingers stiffen slightly too, but I can’t be sure if that’s real or imagined on my part.
“Right,” Colt says. “We shut the door on that possibility a long time ago.”
Thank God the server chooses that time to walk in with the family style meal. I eat with more attention to my plate than I’ve probably ever had in my life, and as soon as possible, I push back my chair.
“Dinner was great, Georgie. I’m going to head to bed. Sounds like tomorrow is going to be a long day.”
She gives me a pout, but doesn’t argue, even when I snag the open bottle of wine from the sidebar and take it with me.
3
COLT
Fuck.I’m an asshole, but I can’t stand the idea of that guy getting his hooks into Chloe without me getting the chance to tell her how much she still means to me. I stare at the empty chair next to me, wishing I hadn’t been a jealous prick a few minutes earlier.
“Excuse me,” I say, rising and setting my fancy cloth napkin on the table. I’m uncomfortable in this tie and jacket get up. It’s ridiculous that I can’t be in my wranglers and boots. It’s not like this is the wedding ceremony. But Porter is wound around Georgia’s little finger, and she’s a good girl who’ll do whatever her mama tells her. Not like Chloe. That girl always does what she wants, even if it meant breaking my heart.