And he's looking at us like he's not looking at us.
"If you don't want this, I'll find something else," he says.
Fine. I take the middle piece. Pop it into my mouth.
Fuck, it's good. Soft bread, tart raspberry, creamy goat cheese.
I stifle a groan.
I'm hungry. No, I'm starving.
He can tell—he can always tell—but he doesn't call me on it. Just fills another plate with goat cheese and raspberry toast and trades me.
He finishes his appetizers.
I finish my second in one bite. The third in two.
"Here." He fills a glass with water from the carafe.
I drink. "Did you know she was coming?"
"No," he says.
"Did Ian?"
"He would have told me."
Unless she swore him to secrecy.
That the two of them hold on to secrets like their lives depend on it.
Rory says goodbye to Ian. Looks to us with a smile. Moves across the room.
I finish my glass. Set it on the table. Wipe my hands on my dress.
He slips his arm around my waist. Holds me like he's waiting for his best friend and not his ex.
Rory stops in front of us. "Hello." She smiles at me. "You must be Indigo."
"I must," I say.
She offers her hand. "I'm Rory."
"I know." I shake. "It's nice to meet you."
"You too." Her smile is soft. Genuine. "I've heard a lot about you."
"You have?" I ask. "From who?"
She laughs. "Friends who keep an eye on Ty for me." Her eyes flit to my left hand. "Your dress is gorgeous."
"Thank you." It's a normal engagement party conversation. And this dress is fantastic. My first choice wasn't available, but this one is better.
A backless silk number that falls mid-thigh. With the high, square neckline, it's sexy, classy, and dramatic at once.
"She looks gorgeous, doesn't she?" Ty turns to me. Looks me up and down. Not like he's assessing me. Not like he's thinking about what he wants to do to me.
Like he loves me so much he loves the sight of me.
Do I have that part of him?
"She does." Rory breaks the moment. "You look stunning, Indigo."
"Not compared to him," I say.
For a moment, his smile is easy, authentic. Then he looks at her and his brow furrows.
"He does wear a suit, doesn't he?" Rory says.
"He does." I move closer reflexively.
"Would you mind if I stole a moment with you, Indigo?" she asks. "Would you mind, Ty?"
"Of course not." He presses his lips to my cheek. Leans closer enough to whisper. "Are you sure?"
I nod.
His hand lingers on my waist.
His lips linger on my neck.
He stays close, like he's going to say more, like he's going to whisper I love you.
But he doesn't.
He releases me. "Take care of her."
"I promise." She waits for him to leave.
Ty finds his brother. Tries to laugh at something. Fails to sell casual.
"They're watching, aren't they?" She looks to them.
"What else would they do?" I ask.
She nods true. Motions to the rooftop garden outside. "Can I buy you a drink?"
"It's an open bar."
Her laugh is soft. Musical. "Can Ty buy you a drink then?"
"A Manhattan. Thanks. I'll meet you there."
She nods. Moves to the bar.
I step onto the quiet rooftop patio. It's a beautiful night. Warm air. Light breeze. Soft blue sky lit by skyscrapers and paper lanterns.
The city at night.
Paradise.
Rory finds me at the railing. "You look at home."
"I am."
"You are. Aren't you?"
I'm not sure what she's asking, so I don't answer. I accept my drink with a thank you. Turn to the Empire State Building.
Its lights are blue today. That bright cobalt. Not our blue. Not any of our blues. But somehow still ours.
Rory brings her wineglass to her lips. "This must be strange for you."
"For you too." I take a long sip. Let the mix of bourbon, vermouth, and bitters warm my lips and throat. It's almost too hot for a Manhattan, but I need the liquid courage.
"I promise my intentions are good." Her fingers curl around the stem. "I'm not here to steal him."
"That's not the most encouraging promise I've ever heard."
"If I was in your shoes, I'd be worried." She takes another sip. "I was worried about you."
"I know."
Her eyes fill with surprise. "He told you?"
"I guessed. When we parted ways, he promised he'd stay in touch. A few months later, he left a message saying he couldn't see me, because he didn't trust himself."
"He didn't?"
"You'd have to ask him."
Her throat quivers as she swallows. "He didn't see you?"
"Not until after you…" My eyes go to my engagement ring. "Months after you ended things."
She nods. "I'm sorry. I know how this must sound. I'm not trying to accuse you of anything, Indigo. You don't strike me as the kind of person who'd sleep with a taken man."
"I haven't." I'd like to think I wouldn't. But if Ty had come to me, admitted he was with someone else, told me he wanted me anyway—