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His hand slips free and we break apart. I don’t even glance over to see if Wyatt saw our kiss when Theo rests his palm on my lower back and it feels easy and natural. We follow the wedding party to the long table in the middle of the room where thankfully, Theo and I end up on the end of the table with Monty’s brothers, sister, mom and her new husband, with Wyatt all the way at the other end.
The conversation is light since we don’t know each other well. The brothers constantly bicker, their mother tells them to behave like they’re children, and their sister doesn’t say a word. Nancy, Monty’s mom, tries to make polite small talk with me and Theo about Wilmington and how she wants to open one of her cat cafés for rescues there next, which is amazing.
By the end of dinner when we all head into the lounge for drinks, we know more about the Crawford family. Monty’s sister who told us to call her Gen is about to start her final year of law school. She actually talks about some of her classes and the upcoming bar exam with Theo. Her brothers help out at the rescues but otherwise don’t work or have any real direction in life other than aggravating each other and their mother, and we’ve heard Nancy laugh about how she met Kendall pretending to be Monty’s ex and how excited she’s been to welcome her into the family.
I’ve just put in an order for a cosmopolitan when Kendall grabs my arm and says, “Ladies room for a quick break?”
“Please,” I agree before telling Theo, “I’ll be right back.”
He nods and sips his scotch while Hayden asks him if he’s into sailing since he lives on the coast.
“How was dinner? I’m so sorry you were all the way at the other end of the table,” Kendall says on the way to the restroom.
“It’s fine. Monty’s family is really nice.”
“They’re the best,” she agrees. “I saw you even got his sister talking.”
“Only a little,” I reply. “She’s like the female version of Theo, so she’s smart and sort of intimidating.”
After we both use the bathroom and meet up in front of the mirrors to wash our hands, Kendall says, “I think Gen’s just really shy. And Monty’s brothers can’t go a second without giving each other shit.”
“I noticed,” I say with a laugh before checking my teeth to make sure there’s no food in them. “They’re both kind of hot but seem a little immature.”
“My roommate, or ex-roommate now, Celia, said the same thing. But then she headed right in Ethan’s direction when we got to the lounge,” Kendall remarks with a smile. “She could be exactly what he needs to help him grow up.”
“Could be,” I agree. “And I can’t believe Wyatt wore a suit?”
“Right? I didn’t even ask anyone to dress up for dinner so he must be trying to impress you,” she says while eyeing me in the mirror’s reflection for a reaction. “Monty said he’s been messaging you every day. I thought you two haven’t spoken?”
“We haven’t. He texts me but I haven’t responded to any of them,” I explain.
“So, you’re completely over him now that you’re under Teddy?”
“I’m not under him. That was one kiss. A kiss that may not happen again.”
“Girl, you are a horrible liar. Teddy’s been looking at you all night like he wants to eat you up for dessert.”
I laugh and shake my head. “No, he hasn’t.”
“If you weren’t staring longingly at Wyatt, maybe you would’ve noticed,” she says. “You don’t actually want him back, do you?”
“No,” I answer without hesitation. “Wyatt and I…we’re over. There’s no going back.”
“Good. Now, I guess we should get back out there,” Kendall says. “Ready?”
“Ready,” I agree.
One kiss shouldn’t have changed everything between us.
But walking back into that lounge, all I can think about was kissing Theo again.
9
Theo
After Maggie disappears into the restroom with Kendall, I take the opportunity to head into the men’s room. I’ve had to piss since appetizers were brought out but didn’t want to leave Maggie alone for even a minute in case the slacker decided to try and make a move on her.
I’ve just unzipped my pants when I hear the slapping sound of flip-flops strolling into the men’s room and know right away who it is.
