by Nikki Paris
“Derrick!” Maci called after me. “You’re a groomsman.”
I walked back to the living room and grinned at Blake. “Blake, man, I’m honored that you want me as a groomsman.” I put one hand on my chest and laughed. “Maci, you are so damn bossy.” Then I turned to leave again.
Right as I placed my hand on the doorknob to leave, I heard Maci say, “I need to call Skylar, now.”
Skylar. Damn. Just the sound of her name sent this weird ache through my chest. Every time I’d seen her in the last few years, she’d left my head spinning and had me thinking I was in love. The very last time I saw her, she broke my heart.
Hell. No, she didn’t. I wasn’t in love with Skylar.
I pulled the front door shut behind me and headed out to meet Clara.
◆◆◆
Clara was different from every other girl I’d dated. She worked as an ER nurse and was about to start medical school. Clara had kind, brown eyes and a killer smile. She was confident and smart, and she didn’t sleep with me until our fifth date. Clara didn’t ditch me in the middle of the night, either. Skylar was still the only one who’d done that.
My mom had been on my case about finding a “nice girl” ever since my little sister came home with a ring on her finger. I thought I’d finally gotten my mom off my case when I graduated with my MBA and got promoted to finance manager at my company. No such luck. My mom still wanted me to have that “fire” in my life, whatever the hell that meant. She seemed happy, though, when I told her I was dating a nice girl.
Clara was girlfriend material, and she fit so perfectly into my life. It was an easy decision to date her. With Clara, settling down wasn’t nearly as terrible as I thought it would be.
Maci and Blake’s engagement party was exactly one month after I started dating Clara. I decided against bringing her to the party. I told myself it was because our relationship was too new for her to meet my entire family. I told myself it had nothing to with the fact that Skylar would be at the engagement party.
I wasn’t in love with Skylar.
But when Skylar walked into the reception hall for the party, she took my breath away. Her long, brown hair fell around her bare shoulders in loose waves. Her tight, black dress showed off the shape of her tantalizing body and made my mouth water. I instantly imagined her naked in my kitchen, gasping my name. When Skylar’s gorgeous blue eyes flashed over to glance at me, I had to force myself to keep breathing.
She smiled and approached me. “Hey, Derrick.”
“Hey, kid.” I grinned at her. My heart raced, and I imagined pushing her up against the wall and tearing her sexy black dress off with my teeth. I shouldn’t go there, even in my fantasies. Skylar didn’t want me, at least not the way I wanted her. She just liked to tease me. And I was dating Clara now. Clara was good for me.
“How are you?” Skylar asked.
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Are you being nice to me?”
She rolled her eyes. “It was an accident. I haven’t seen you for a while, so I’m out of practice. Let me try again.” She gave me one of those smirks that drove me crazy. “What do you want, bitch?”
I laughed. “There she is — the cold-hearted Halo brat.”
Skylar grinned. “Did you miss me?”
I missed her like crazy. How did she know? Shit. Clara. I smirked at Skylar. “Don’t get your hopes up, kid. We’re not going to have another night of hot sex where you ditch me before the sun comes up. I’m seeing someone.”
The teasing look in Skylar’s eyes flickered, and she frowned for a split second. If I hadn’t been studying her gorgeous face, I would have missed it. “Uh, wow.” She looked down at her sparkly silver stilettos. When Skylar looked back up at me, she wore a tight, angry smile. “Derrick, you are so full of yourself! I just wanted a little taste of you. I had it, and then I moved on. I don’t pine after you like you think I do.”
Fuck, that hurt.
I rubbed my jaw and looked away. Thank God I was with Clara. “So, we’re all good then.” I walked away from Skylar. I tried not to, but I glanced over my shoulder. She hugged herself and rubbed her arms. The way she stood, with her shoulders slightly slumped, reminded me of the way she stood after some dumb-ass had forced a kiss on her at a party. Skylar was upset. Why? Was it me? Did she have feelings for me, like Maci kept saying? Why didn’t she just tell me then?
I almost turned around to talk to her again when Kai approached her. Skylar looked happy to see him, and she took his arm when he offered it. I rolled my eyes and headed to the front of the room to talk to my parents.
“Derrick!” My mom waved as I approached. “Did you bring the girl you’ve been seeing? I want to meet her!”
I sighed and glanced over my shoulder. Skylar was laughing at something Kai said. When did he become funny? “Uh, I didn’t think Maci’s engagement party was the best place for you to meet her, but I’ll bring her by sometime soon.”
“Please do! This is a big deal!” My mom hugged me. “Did you talk to Maci yet?”
“Not yet.” I looked over at my little sister. Blake had his arm around her waist, and he was looking at her like she was his queen. I grinned to myself. Maci would like that — being someone’s queen for the rest of her life. I watched as Skylar and Kai approached the happy couple. I watched them all hugging and laughing. The four of them looked perfect together.
Skylar looked happy. I liked it when she looked happy. She glanced over at me, and her pretty little smile vanished. Our eyes met, and I could have sworn electricity crackled between us. I broke the gaze. I was with Clara now. I needed to forget about sexy little Skylar.
20
Skylar
I rushed into the bridal shop, twenty-three minutes late. I was supposed to be done signing the lease on my new dance studio over an hour ago, but my realtor showed up late and then kept wasting time by trying to flirt with me.
Maci’s mom, Blake’s mom, and two of Maci’s college friends all sat in white satin chairs, facing an ornate tri-fold mirror. I’d met Bri and Trinity a few times. They were sweet girls, and they looked out for Maci, so I liked them.
Maci’s mom looked up when I reached them. “Kate!” I bent to hug her. “I’m so sorry! My realtor was almost an hour late for our meeting today! How many dresses did she try on? I didn’t miss ‘the one,’ did I?”
Kate smiled. “No. She’s only tried on one so far, and it wasn’t it.”
“Thank God!” I sank into the empty chair next to Kate and waved at Bri and Trinity.
“Skylar,” Kate lowered her voice. “You’re coming to dinner with the family tonight, right? It’ll just be Simon and me, Maci and Blake, and Derrick and Clara. We want you there, too, because you’re like family.”
My stomach dropped. Derrick and Clara? I knew Derrick had a girlfriend, but this was the first time I’d heard her name. When I ran into him at Maci and Blake’s engagement party a few weeks ago, he’d dropped the bomb on me. I was so shocked and hurt that I’d completely frozen up. Then I’d been cold, borderline cruel to him. But Derrick didn’t care.
I didn’t mean anything to him, but Clara did.
I gave Kate a forced smile. “Of course! Thank you for inviting me!” Tears burned the corners of my eyes, and I quickly turned away. I hated it when Derrick serial dated hot girls, but it was so much worse to have him settle down. Luckily, Maci walked out of the dressing room right at that moment in a stunning halter dress with a deep v-neck and a narrow, flowing skirt. She looked stunning. I let my tears fall for my beautiful best friend and her stupid brother. I could be thrilled and heartbroken at the same time.
“Aw! Maci!” I stood to hug her. She had tears in her eyes, too.
Maci covered her mouth with both hands and stood in the front of the mirror. Everyone else in the room ooh-ed and ah-ed. “I love this one!” she gasped.
I bent to adjust the train and then reached up to move her hair off her shoulders. She had fresh blonde high-lights again. Blake loved her as a
sexy blonde bombshell. “You look amazing, Maci.” I smiled at her reflection in the mirror.
Maci caught my hand and smiled back at me. “I’m so glad you’re here, Sky. You understand Blake and me better than anyone. Do you think he’ll like this one?” She ran her free hand down the silky white fabric of the gown.
I rolled my eyes and wiped away a few tears. “Maci, he will lose his mind when he sees you in this.”
Kate stood and fussed a little with Maci’s hair. “Is this the one, sweetie?”
Maci covered her mouth with both hands again and nodded. The room erupted in squeals and cheers.
◆◆◆
A few hours later, I sat in a Chinese restaurant, next to Maci and Blake. Simon and Kate sat at the opposite end of the table, and two seats remained empty for Derrick and Clara. One of the empty seats was next to me. Would I have to sit by the guy I loved or the girl that he loved? Was I going to survive meeting this Clara? I wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans.
Maci tapped my shoulder. “Oh my God! I didn’t even ask! How is the dance studio? Can I come to see it this week?”
I grinned. It was surreal, having my own dance studio. “Well, it’s not even close to ready, and now I’m crushed under a mountain of debt, but I am so damn excited! You can absolutely come to see it this week. Tuesday?”
“See what?” Derrick’s voice made my heart ram against my ribcage. I looked up and instantly wished I hadn’t.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Derrick’s girlfriend was stunning and blonde. She had a tiny little waist and big tits. She wore a gorgeous black off-the-shoulder dress, and her make-up was perfection. I couldn’t look at her. I couldn’t look at him. They were beautiful and perfect together. I stared down at my plate of orange chicken and fried rice and tried not to throw up.
Maci spoke up. “Skylar’s new dance studio. Also, you’re late, Derrick.”
Clara laughed. Even her laugh was cute and perfect. “I’m so sorry, Maci! It was my fault! My heel broke when we were leaving my apartment.” She clutched Derrick’s hand.
Screw you, Clara.
Maci laughed. “Oh no! Well, I forgive you. Shoe emergencies are real!”
Kate and Simon stood to hug Derrick and Clara.
“Skylar.” Derrick grinned and sat across from me. “What are you doing here?” His gorgeous girlfriend sat in the empty chair next to me.
I cleared my throat. “Oh, you know, just mooching off of your parents. You know how I like it when they pay for my food.” I didn’t meet his gaze.
Simon and Kate chuckled at my joke.
“Hi, Skylar! I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Clara!” His girlfriend smiled at me, and it seemed genuine. She must not have heard about the time I fucked Derrick.
“Hi, Clara!” I returned her smile and then stared back at my plate.
“What?” Derrick laughed. “You’re not going to call her by the wrong name or insult me until she decides to dump me?”
I grinned, and my eyes flashed up to meet his. “Why would I do that? That sounds immature.”
Derrick grinned back at me, and I melted just a little. Fine, I melted a lot.
“Maci, I heard you found the dress!” Clara leaned over me to talk to Maci. I tried not to recoil when her pretty blonde curls touched my arm. I glanced up at Derrick, and he grinned at me. He seemed pleased with the sour look on my face, so I wiped it away and gave him a polite smile.
“Yes! Do you want to see pictures?” Maci beamed.
“Here,” I said. “Trade me places, so Clara can see without Blake peeking.” I stood and switched chairs with Maci. Now I was across from Kate. That was better. I turned to Blake. “Is Maci driving you crazy with all the wedding plans yet?”
Blake grinned and shook his head. “Not yet.” He nudged me with his elbow. “Kai’s excited to see you next week at the food tasting.”
I groaned. “For the love of God. Is he ever going to give up?”
Blake laughed out loud. “He doesn’t want to marry you or anything. I think he’d settle for a kiss, just to say that he kissed the Skylar Jones.”
I laughed. “He just wants a kiss, huh?”
Blake glanced at his soon-to-be in-laws and cleared his throat. “Yep. Just a kiss. Just an innocent kiss, nothing more.”
Kate said, “Kai’s cute, Skylar! I mean, we don’t love his sister around here, but he hasn’t done anything wrong. Why haven’t you ever dated him?” She took a sip of her cocktail and watched me with questioning eyes.
“We’ve just never clicked. We don’t have anything to talk about.” I shrugged.
Derrick spoke up. “Skylar needs someone that can make her laugh, right?” He met my gaze with a grin. “Oh, and congrats on the dance studio. You’ve dreamed about that since you were an annoying little ten-year-old. It’s cool to see you following your dreams.”
I snorted. “Are you an inspirational speaker now?”
Derrick laughed. “I am! I was just invited to give a TED talk, actually. I hope you all can make it.”
I accidentally laughed. I couldn’t help it. Clara laughed, too.
Maci patted my shoulder. “K, I’ll trade you back now.” We stood and swapped seats, and I was face-to-face with Derrick again. Maci and Blake were busy talking about wedding plans with Simon and Kate. I was left to my own devices with Derrick and his girlfriend.
Clara gushed. “Oh my God! Maci’s dress is gorgeous, isn’t it, Skylar? Did you help her choose it?” Clara’s hand was on my arm.
I forced a smile and looked over at her. “Yep. The dress is perfect.” I took a bite of my chicken and turned back to Clara. “So, how long have you and Derrick been together?”
Clara smiled and said, “It’s been almost two months now.”
“Wow! That’s like a grown-up relationship record for Derrick!”
Clara laughed her tinkling laugh. “That’s what I’ve heard!” She gave Derrick a flirty smile.
Derrick laughed and shook his head. “What’s your record for grown-up relationships, Skylar? Eight hours?”
I locked gazes with him. He smiled, but his eyes looked a little cold. Was he talking about us? Was he mad at me? I cleared my throat and looked away.
“Derrick!” Clara gaped at him. “That was rude!”
“Nah. I’m just messing with Skylar. That’s what we do. We mess with each other, right, kid?”
I pushed some fried rice around my plate with my fork and didn’t meet Derrick’s scorching gaze. “Yup. Don’t worry, Clara. Derrick didn’t hurt my feelings.” I gave her a sweet, fake smile. He didn’t hurt my feelings, but did I hurt his? That was impossible, right?
21
Derrick
My phone rang as I left work. I stared at it in disbelief. Why was Skylar calling me? I answered immediately. “What’s up, Skylar?”
“Hi!” Her voice sounded high and stressed. “Um, sorry. I didn’t want to call you —”
Nice.
Skylar continued. “I just… Ugh. I’m supposed to have a bridesmaid dress fitting in like thirty minutes, but I left my shoes at your parents’ house. Maci’s not answering her phone, and your parents aren’t home. I thought maybe you’d have a key to let me in? You know what? Never mind. I’ll just break a window. Don’t come!”
I burst out laughing. “Wow. You are really trying to avoid me lately, aren’t you? Please don’t break a window. I can be there in ten.”
“Awesome.” Her voice was flat.
She’d been avoiding me like the plague for the past three months, ever since that awkward family dinner where she met Clara. I was shocked at how polite Skylar was to my girlfriend that night, and every other time she’d run into her lately.
I was almost disappointed, but that was stupid. Why the hell would I want Skylar to be mean to my girlfriend?
When I arrived at my parents’ house, Skylar was pacing back and forth on the front porch. She was wearing tight black leggings and a gray hoodie. When I walked up the driveway, she yanked the hood over he
r head. I laughed and pointed at her hoodie. “Are you trying to hide from me?”
Skylar’s cheeks turned the lightest shade of pink. “Shut up. I just taught five back to back dance classes. I’m all sweaty.”
I laughed and pulled my keys out of my pocket. God, she was adorable. “Do you want to look pretty for me, Skylar?”
She rolled her eyes and groaned. “Please hurry!” Then she yanked the hood off her head and folded her arms tightly across her chest.
I opened the door for her and meant to head back to my car, but I found myself following her inside. I wasn’t done teasing her, not even a little bit. “You’re not going to shower before you go try on your dress? Gross.” I poked her ribs, and she swiftly smacked my hand away.
“I don’t have time! Lay off me!” Skylar ran up the stairs to Maci’s old room and came back seconds later with a pair of sexy heels. She sighed and hesitantly met my eyes. “Thank you for letting me in. I know you probably had other things to do tonight.”
“Like my girlfriend?”
Skylar’s eyes turned ice cold. She muttered, “Fuck you,” under her breath and shoved past me.
I was getting under her skin. If I could make her angry by talking about my girlfriend, then she still wanted me. That thought made me way too happy. I followed her outside and locked the door. She was already getting in her car by the time I turned around. Without thinking, I walked down the driveway and climbed into the passenger seat of Skylar’s car.
She gaped at me. “What the hell are you doing?”
I grinned at her. “I was just thinking; I need to see these dresses to make sure the ties match, right? Maci would want that. You know she would, and there’s no way Blake and Kai are going to make sure shit matches.”
Skylar rolled her eyes. I had her. “Fine. For Maci. And because I don’t have time to argue with you.” Skylar kept a pissed-off look on her face the whole time she drove to the bridal shop. I loved messing with her. It was way too much fun.
