Tension!

BECCA

“Hey, Drew,” I said, scanning my eyes over his body.

Well, I must admit, my ex-boyfriend looked incredibly good. His blond hair was cut very short, almost shaved. He was dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, so I had confirmation of my thoughts that he still was in great shape. Looking at all his muscles and biceps, there was no doubt.

“You look amazing.” He stepped towards me and kissed my cheek. A smile immediately appeared on my lips. Even that small gesture was so like him.

“Thank you. You look good too.”

“How are you? How is your life in Miami? I see no ring on your finger, that means you aren’t engaged for now. Am I right? Is your writer having second thoughts?”

“Drew!” I gasped in surprise. “I am fine. My life is in New York right now, and yes, I am not engaged. Because Cody and I aren’t together anymore.”

“New York… Doesn’t your friend live there?” Drew narrowed his eyes at me. I smiled at him and barely kept myself from rolling my eyes.

“Yep, Chase and his wife. I'm living with them for now, but I will move as soon as I receive my first paycheck.”

I saw Drew relax. Since I knew how Logan reacted to me living in New York, it was easy to prevent this kind of reaction from Drew. Just announcing to him that Chase is married now.

“Where do you work?” I glanced to the side. I wanted to exchange a few words with Kate and Tim.

“I will start working in a month. I will be an editor, and that’s all for now. Drew, listen, it was nice to see you, but I was going to talk to Kate and Tim. I won’t have a lot of free time tonight.”

“I understand.” Drew’s answer was curt.

I knew that he wasn’t happy with my decision. But he stepped aside as always. I walked past him while thinking that this meeting didn’t bring those strong emotions that I felt after one short interaction with Logan.

Yes, I was aware that Drew was handsome and all, but something was missing between us. Was it good or bad? I honestly had no idea.

When Tim and Kate saw me, they both started smiling. Well, it’s been a while since I last saw Tim almost a year ago.

He stood up and hugged me, and then Kate stood up as well. As soon as her husband released me, she stepped closer and kissed me on the cheek. She looked better than she did at the party. Maybe they were able to find peace between each other.

“Becca, you are as beautiful as ever. New York is definitely agreeing with you.” Tim winked at me, and I smiled.

“Thank you, Tim. Yeah, I'm starting to get used to it.” I looked at both of them. “How are you?”

“Fine, I guess.” Tim shrugged his shoulders and then wrapped his arm around Kate’s waist. “I don’t think we'll have many opportunities to talk tonight, but we're looking forward to seeing you. Will you stay with us for a few days?”

“If you'll have me, then of course.” They both nodded at me, and my smile grew bigger. Somehow, I felt that they both needed me. As if I could help them. Who knows if I was right. “I'll come to you on Monday evening.”

“We'll be waiting. I'll cook something delicious.” Kate smiled, pressing herself closer to Tim. Even after all these years, she was still in love with him. Seeing it warmed my heart.

“Becca!” I heard my name and turned around. Riley was waving at me to come. I turned back to Tim and Kate.

“Guys, I hope we'll have another chance to talk tonight. Really. But now, I need to get going,” I said hurriedly and walked over to Riley.

Without saying a word, she clasped my hand in hers and rushed us to the room where Lily was waiting. As we approached the room, I noticed that the guests were starting to go outside. It was almost time.

Everything went according to plan. When I stepped outside the house, all the guests were already seated. I felt nervous as I was the first to walk down the aisle, but I straightened my shoulders and started walking with a happy smile on my face.

I didn't look around as I walked down the aisle. At first, I saw John standing near the arch with the priest. He was smiling, and his happiness radiated from him.

Then I shifted my gaze and looked at Liam. As soon as our eyes met, he winked at me. My smile grew bigger, and I struggled to stifle a laugh.

When I was almost near the arch, I allowed myself to glance at Logan. He had been watching me the whole time. I could see a multitude of emotions on his face, which instantly gave me butterflies in my stomach.

I saw admiration, desire, and tenderness in his gaze. He had been lying to me. His feelings were still there. Maybe he knew that too, which was why he didn't want to sleep with me. Or perhaps he was in denial, just like I was. I took my place and watched as Kelly and Riley followed me.

As soon as Lily and Mr. Jones stepped outside, my emotions went haywire. I was so damn happy for my girl! Never in a million years did I think that I would meet someone like her.

In my childhood, I thought that Kate would be the only best friend I would have. Mainly, I didn’t expect to make such a good friend while in college.

But destiny had other plans. Now, I watched as she walked down the aisle with her father, about to marry a man she deeply loved.

The ceremony was lovely and touching. Lily and John's vows to each other made me cry, and I wasn't the only one.

Seeing how they looked at each other made me very sentimental. They were in love and happy together. They understood and respected each other. They were not only lovers but also friends.

Between them, I saw an undeniable trust and a desire to do everything for one another. They were a perfect match, and it was so pure that I could barely hold back my urge to cry with happiness.

Almost two hours later, after I presented my gift to the newlyweds and gave a very long speech to John and Lily, I decided to go to the bathroom. I went back to the house; I had no desire to look for another bathroom, so I just went to the one between Logan's and my rooms.

Standing in front of the mirror, I analyzed myself. My eyes were shining with happiness. My lips were stretched into a big joyful smile. I was so damn happy, as if it were my big day. I bit my lower lip, hiding my smile because now my thoughts went in another direction.

What if it were my wedding day very soon? What I saw in Logan’s eyes was a confirmation that he still had feelings for me, and they weren’t just friendly. Please, I wanted it to be true. I would figure everything out. I could move closer to him.

I could find another place to work in Philly or any other state if he were traded to another team. I could change my life completely, for him. All that he needed to do was just to come to me and say that he wanted us to try. To try to be in a relationship. To try to be together.

“You look very happy.”

I blinked because I honestly didn’t expect anyone to be there. Especially not him.

“How did you know where I was?” I asked, turning around to look at Drew. He was leaning on the doorframe to the bathroom. His hands were hidden in his pockets.

“Logan told me.” Something in me dropped. Why did he need to tell Drew? Was Logan pushing me to him intentionally?

“Oh… Well, it’s our combined bathroom… So he must have seen where I went.”

“No, he didn’t. I asked, and he said that probably you would be here. He’s kind of busy right now.” Drew was hinting at something, but I was having a hard time understanding it.

“You wanted something? I was going to go back to the party.” I straightened up my dress and walked to Drew.

He moved aside a little, but it wasn’t enough for me. When I walked back to my room, my shoulder touched his and nothing happened. He was a stranger to me now. Very familiar, but a stranger. Even if it sounded weird.

“Just to talk. You know, when we saw each other last time, I didn’t expect you to disappear from my life completely. I thought we would stay in touch. But, I was wrong.”

“It was better that way, Drew. We both had time to let go of the situation, time to forget about each other.”

“Who said that was what I wanted?”

“I wanted it. And I did that,” I answered, coming closer to the door. In a few steps, Drew was near me. He placed his hand on the door, preventing me from opening it. “What are you doing?!”

“We are talking, Rebecca,” Drew said, serious and a bit scary. I never liked to be trapped, to feel caged in. It was exactly how I felt at this moment.

“Drew, let me go,” I hissed at him. “I want to go back.”

“No.”

“Are you insane?!” I raised my voice this time.

“No. We are talking, Rebecca.”

“You are unbelievable!” I turned around, went to my bed, and plopped myself down on it. Drew followed me and sat down near me. We both were silent.

“Rebecca, really, why were you ignoring me?” When Drew finally decided to talk, his voice was hoarse.

“Listen, Drew... When you cheated on me, something in me cracked. I... I was able to forgive you... But it changed how I felt about you. Totally.”

“But you spent the night with me. You and a casual fuck are something from two different worlds. Still, you did.” Drew and I looked at each other and laughed.

“Well, usually, yes. But you weren’t a stranger. You knew me. I thought it was a good ending for our love. Not the mess with Natasha and you in your bed. So I kind of replaced it in my mind.”

“You still remember her name, while I can barely remember what she looked like.”

“Drew, you will never change,” I sighed and placed my head on his shoulder. “Why are you still single? And do me a favor, be honest with me.”

“Well... I have loved only one woman in this world, and it was you. Other women are good for sex, but even thinking about marrying one of them is the most disgusting feeling I ever had in my life. If I can’t have you, I would prefer to stay alone.”

“Drew, that’s wrong! After our breakup, I also thought that I wouldn’t be able to start dating again. But then I met Andrew and then Cody, they both showed me that love is possible.”

“Rebecca, it’s not like that with me, and honestly, I am good as I am right now.”

“If you say so.”

“I heard from Tim that you are going to stay for a few days. Can I invite you to have dinner with me? Just to talk and to eat delicious food. Nothing more. I promise to behave.”

I straightened up and stared him in the eyes. Yes, he was a charming man, and he still liked me while I wasn’t sure what I felt for him.

“Why not?” I smiled, and Drew stood up. He extended his hand to me and helped me to my feet. We walked together to the exit, and this time Drew was the one who opened the door for me. “Thank you.”

We walked down the hallway, heading back to the other guests. I heard music coming from outside and decided to go there. Drew followed me.

We made small talk as I asked him how his father’s business was doing. He told me a little about his trip to Texas and his father and grandfather as well.

They were even featuring his photos in magazines near Logan; it helped his business. It brought back thoughts of Logan. I instantly wanted to see him again. Where was he?

“You said that Logan was busy. What did you mean?” I took a flute of champagne and had a little sip.

“Oh, you didn’t see her?”

“Who?”

“The girl who was advertising Lily’s dress. The model who helped Logan find the designer.”

“I saw her photos. Lily looks so much better in the dress. What’s your point?”

“Lily invited her. When I ran into Logan while searching for you, he was entertaining her.”

There was no sound. No thoughts in my mind. No emotions, only a very painful pang in my chest. I was always good at chasing rainbows. I was already imagining things about Logan asking me to marry him, about our wedding. In reality, it was just a cloud of dust.

Nothing more.