Dear Future Ex-wife

I cup my hands around my mouth and yell, “Help me get them down.”

Jules nods. “We’re going to need a crowbar and a bottle of vodka.”

I stare at her with my mouth open wide. Is she joking? I never know when it comes to the Market House girls. The four of them have their own way of communicating that doesn’t make sense to normal people.

Before I can respond, Jules shakes her head, her mouth twisted in disgust. I follow her line of sight to the opposite end of the bar, surprised to see Nate and his groomsmen there. Nate stares at me like a hunter seeking out his prey. Reid’s expression is more serious when he locks onto Jules. He really has a thing for her, even though neither of them will admit it.

“We can’t get away from them,” Jules groans.

“The resort only has three bars. We were bound to run into them at some point.”

She pounds the rest of her whiskey sour and sets it onto the bar. Willow accidentally kicks it with her foot. Jules reaches for it, but the glass tips over and rolls behind the bar. Oblivious, Willow shakes her ass, her hands raised in the air. Much like the other girls, she loves having admirers. For as long as I have known my bridesmaids, they have always been the center of attention.

“So, what’s up with you and Reid?” I shout over the music.

Jules scowls at my question. “Nothing, absolutely nothing. He’s an asshole.”

“You sure you don’t like him?”

She rolls her eyes. “Not you too! I get enough shit from everyone else.”

“Then, answer the question,” I shoot back with a wicked smile.

“He gets under my skin,” she admits. “He knows how to work every nerve in my body.” Her eyes widen, and I follow her gaze. “Oh, no… what did I do in this lifetime to deserve this? Of all the people Nate had to ask to be a groomsman, did it have to be Reid Grayson?”

“I know it sucks hanging out with your boss on vacation, but I’m happy you’re here.”

“Happy to be here.” She squeezes my wrist. “I hope everything works out with you and Nate.”

Me too.

Reid approaches Jules with a greedy look in his eyes. It’s intense, to say the least. She turns away from him, but when he cups her shoulder with his hand, she looks up at him. They exchange a look that doesn’t require words.

A few seconds later, Nate is towering over me, his lips so close to mine I think he’s going to kiss me in front of everyone. And I want him to do it. With every fiber in my body, I want him. He slides his hand along my back and pulls my chest against his. His lips part, and for a second, I close my eyes, waiting for him to make the next move. But my fantasy evaporates the second he speaks.

“I’m glad you’re here,” he says against the shell of my ear. “Because I need to talk to you.”

His breath on my skin and his hands on my body would usually send a shiver down my arms that makes my toes curl. Not this time, though. Not when I’m holding my breath, my heart pounding out of my chest as I wait for the bad news.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Something my dad said earlier. It’s been bothering me all night.” His hand falls to my hip, and I’m suddenly all too aware of his fingers at the edge of my waistband. “Can we go somewhere a little quieter? It won’t take long.”

I look over my shoulder at Jules, who is occupied by Reid, engaged in what appears to be a heated debate. They could probably argue over the color of the sky. Willow is having the time of her life, swaying her hips to the rap beat that cranks through the speakers. Callie and Lola are with Amelia, on the ground below where Willow is dancing on the bar. I laugh as Callie and Lola compete for Stefan’s attention, while Amelia chats with Dylan.

Callie rests her arm on Stefan’s shoulder, whispering something into his ear. He laughs, and then Lola steals him away from her, playing best man tug-a-war as they vie for his attention. Stefan is like a younger brother to me. The thought of my friends making a move for him is ridiculous. Our friends are thoroughly entertained. I doubt they will miss us if we slip away for a few minutes.

I twist my fingers between Nate’s, and he leads me through the crowd with ease. He takes me to the beach. The soft sand slides between my toes as we make our way toward the water. I tip my nose up, sucking in a deep breath as I drink in the salty air. The smell reminds me of the summers I spent with Nate and his family at the Jersey Shore.