Bliss (Entangled Hearts Duet 2)

“So, what?” I say, frustrated and tossing his phone in the cupholder. “We’re just going to drive around until we know where they are?”

“You have a better plan? Would you rather be back there dealing with the aftermath? The way that you were looking at her….” He shakes his head.

“What?” I ask, the irritation evident in my voice. “Say it.” I need to hear it.

“The fucking agony was written all over your face, Reeves. Not one person there could question whether or not her marrying Hunter was tearing you up inside.”

“I told her I would never hide how I felt about her again. That included showing that my fucking heart was obliterated that she was marrying someone who wasn’t me.”

“What are you saying, Reeves? That you want to marry her.”

“Yes.” I don’t even hesitate with my response.

He pulls up to a Stop sign and turns to look at me. “You’re serious.” It’s not a question as much as a statement of observation.

“Yes.”

He nods. “All right. I’ll do what I can to help you. Tess too. She’s been insistent for years that the two of you should be together.”

“Is that where you got it?” I ask him.

“Nah, I could see it too. In fact, I think everyone around the two of you could see it. I think even Hunter knew. Deep down, he had to know,” he says.

“I feel bad for the guy, getting left at the altar sucks, but I’m fucking thrilled she did it. That makes me a dick, right? That I’m happy she didn’t go through with it?”

“Nah, makes you human. Although you should have told her a hell of a lot sooner than the day before her wedding.”

“I was struggling.” I know he’s right. I should have told her sooner. The day I got that fucking wedding invitation, I should have told her. Instead, I stayed holed up in my condo and got wasted. Not my finest moment, but my heart was breaking. I’d lost her. I hate that it took me going off to Indy without her for me to see the perfect woman for me had been right in front of me for years. It took me being without her to realize she can still be my best friend and the love of my life.

“Stubborn,” he mutters under his breath.

Maybe he’s right. I don’t really know. What I do know is that I’m going to do everything in my power to show her what she means to me. No more pushing her away or wishing things were different. I’m going to show her every fucking day.

Nixon’s phone rings, and he snatches it up before I can get it. “Hello.” He listens. “Yeah, I’ve got Cooper with me.” Another pause. “Okay. We’re on our way.” He hangs up and places the phone back in the cupholder and continues to drive.

“Where are they?”

“The hotel that Tess and I are staying at.”

“Whose car are they in?”

He looks over at me and grins. “A rental.”

“Isn’t this a rental?” I ask of the sedan we’re in.

“Yep,” he says, popping the p.

“Why did you and Tessa have two rentals?”

“We didn’t until this morning.”

“Care to enlighten me?”

He chuckles. “The one we rented this morning is the getaway car.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.

“Tess had a feeling that Reese was struggling and didn’t really want to go through with the wedding. She insisted we have a car parked out back, and she had the keys. That’s what Reese took from her when they were standing up there. Tessa told her about the keys and that she had them in her hands. All Reese had to do was ask.”

“Thank you.” Those two words don’t seem like enough, but right now, that’s all I’ve got. I wish I would have thought of it, but it’s better it was Tessa.

The rest of the ride to the hotel is silent. I’m lost in thought. I don’t know what I’m going to say to her when I see her. Hell, I don’t even know if she’s willing to see me. That’s not going to stop me from trying.

Nixon pulls up to the valet, and we climb out of the car. Hands in my pockets, I follow him like a lost puppy through the lobby and to the elevators. I don’t say a word on the ride up, or when the doors open and he steps off. We finally stop outside a room, and he knocks softly. My breathing halts as I wait for them to answer. What feels like hours later, when it’s merely seconds, Tessa opens the door and gives us a sad smile.

“H-How is she?” I ask, my voice gravelly.

“As good as can be expected after running out of her own wedding.”

I wince. “Can I see her?”

“Depends. Tell me you’re in this for the long haul, Cooper.”